Finals week is a stressful time for students, no matter how far they are in their educational journey. Properly preparing for final exams is no easy task, and the process often leaves students stressed out and sleep deprived\u2013neither of which are optimal for student success.<\/p>\n
While there\u2019s no surefire way to ensure that each student will be able to ace their final exams, there\u00a0are\u00a0<\/i>a number of effective learning strategies that will help students put their best foot forward during final exam week.<\/p>\n
Harness Your Own Unique Way of Learning<\/b><\/p>\n
In 1983, Howard Gardner published his now well-known theory about \u201cMultiple Intelligences,\u201d in which he unveiled his belief that people rely on a variety of skills in order to master difficult subjects. From there, he identified seven core \u201cintelligences\u201d that people use to learn. What does that mean?<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile the conventional method of lecture and note-taking works for some students, it bypasses the needs of many others,\u201d\u00a0Education.com author Cindy Donaldson writes<\/a>. In difficult subjects, like math and the sciences, many students believe they\u2019re not good at the subject\u2013yet in reality, they may just need to harness a different way of learning in order to master the material.<\/p>\n In order to determine your unique style of learning, try taking\u00a0this self-assessment<\/a>. From there, you can develop new techniques in order to maximize your study time.<\/p>\n Study with Partners<\/b><\/p>\n Studying with a partner is a surefire way to gain new learning skills and help you to better understand complex concepts and problems. Since each person has their own unique learning style, studying with a partner may help introduce you to new ways of thinking about difficult concepts and help to balance out each other\u2019s shortfalls in understanding. Studying with an additional person can also motivate you to work towards your study goals and avoid procrastination.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re struggling to connect with your classmates or need more advanced help, there are other of course other options available. Professors and T.A.s are typically available in the weeks before finals to help you prepare, and there are\u00a0professional tutoring services<\/a>available to help students no matter their age or ability.<\/p>\n Manage Stress<\/b><\/p>\n With college admittance comes high academic expectations, a new level of independence, and more challenging work than most students are prepared for. It\u2019s no surprise then that\u00a0college students are more stressed out than ever before<\/a>. Stress can manifest itself in a variety of ways that impact both your academic life,\u00a0your physical health<\/a>, and your social relationships.<\/p>\n It\u2019s important that students learn how to healthily manage their stress in order to succeed academically. In order to manage that stress, students ought to be cognizant about the amount of effort they put into their work, and balance that with other important aspects of their life. Rest, socialization, exercise, and healthy eating are all aspects that are equally important to studying.<\/p>\n Prioritize Sleep<\/b><\/p>\n Scientists have gone to great lengths to prove that\u00a0a good night\u2019s sleep<\/a>\u00a0is an essential ingredient to healthy living. Despite this, in college campuses across the country, the all-nighter continues to be a popular study tool. Studies prove, however, that pulling all-nighters does more harm than good.<\/p>\n A\u00a02008 study by Pamela Thatcher<\/a>\u00a0at St. Lawrence University found that all-nighters impair reasoning and memory for \u201cas long as four days,\u201d\u2013which is hardly ideal for optimal studying. Instead,\u00a0Dan Taylor of the University of North Texas suggests<\/a>\u00a0that students review the most challenging materials the night before their final exam and get a good night\u2019s rest.<\/p>\n Alternate Your Study Location<\/b><\/p>\n