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Last-minute
study tips for procrastinators
By Alexis Kindig
On-line Forty-Niner
Once again, it
is time for an annual rite of passage. In order to get to
summer vacation, students first have to make it past finals.
In the midst of finals, there are some things to help make
it through.
"The biggest thing ... is to study in blocks of time,
but not for hours at a time," says Gen Ramirez, director
of the Learning Assistance Center.
Studying for hours on end is "self-defeating," as
it is difficult to understand and retain information gathered
this way, Ramirez said.
Ramirez recommends condensing information into related groups
before studying.
"Most people study too much, too superficially rather
than looking at the bigger ideas," she said, adding that
we remember things we understand far more easily than things
we don't.
Ramirez also advises studying for finals in the reverse of
the order in which they will take place -- in other words,
study for your first final last and your last final first.
This way, information for your first final will be fresher
in your mind, and you will have a head start on studying for
your last final.
If cramming is a must, Ramirez says to try to leave out random
details and focus on main ideas.
"Go for key things that may unlock other things,"
she said. "It is very important not to stress out, before
a test, be as rested and relaxed as you possibly can. Stress
blocks recall, and fatigue causes stress."
On the day of a test, Ramirez recommends arriving early and
being as relaxed and confident as you possibly can.
This means resisting the temptation to compare information
with classmates and having all the proper materials. Ramirez
advises buying blue books, scantrons and other materials ahead
of time, to avoid the stress and hassle of waiting in long
lines right before a test.
Shonte Travis, a film production major, agrees that it is
important not to stress out.
"I like to not think about the test at all, and then
just do it," Travis said.
Travis' recommendation to fellow students is to avoid cramming
as much as possible.
"It works for some people, but for a lot of people, it
doesn't," she said.
For those students who need more guidance, the Learning Assistance
Center may be able to help. Although they held their last
workshop on April 25, the center offers help with time management,
critical reading, memory techniques and studying for finals.
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