Preparing For Final Exams

1

• Preparing For Final Exams
• Study Central Academic Workshop
• Dr. Gary J. Gargano
• Professor of Psychology
• Merced College

2

• Failing to Prepare Is
• Preparing to Fail
• One of the most common difficulties that students
  encounter when preparing for finals is not having
  allocated enough time for studying.
• Students who plan their study strategy and manage
  their anxiety and time effectively are able to
  study their course materials systematically and
  have enough time to cover the material they need
  to know for their final exams.

3

• Failing to Prepare Is
• Preparing to Fail
• By scheduling time to write practice exams
  similar to the final, they increase their
  confidence and reduce their exam anxiety.

4
Planning Ahead

• No classes during final exam week.
• When are your final exams scheduled?
• Do you have more than one exam on the day?
• How much time do you have to prepare for
  finals?
• Complete all projects and papers before final
  exam week.
• Do not try and work extra hours during final
  exam week.

5
Type of Final Exam

• Is the final exam comprehensive?
• Is the final exam multiple choice or
  essay?
• If the final exam is an essay, does the
  instructor give you the questions in
  advance?
• How much does the final exam count towards your
  final grade?
• How difficult is the course content?
• Set up a study schedule.

6
Personal Issues

• High stress poor performance.
• Be sure to get proper amounts of sleep and
  relaxation.
• Eat healthy and get some exercise!
• These will reduce your stress levels.

7
Set up a Study Schedule

• Set up a study schedule in a daily planner.
• Be realistic about how long you can study.
• Allow time for study breaks.
• Many people are not motivated to study because
  it is tedious, boring, and not very fun, so
  reward your studying.
• Distribute your studying instead of cramming
  the night before an exam.
• Avoid procrastination which is putting off or
  avoiding doing something that must be done.

8
Study Techniques

• Review and rewrite your notes soon after
  class.
• Make flash cards and quiz yourself.
• Review notes from previous class.
• Use the SQ3R method.

9
Where Should You Study?

• Do not study on your bed!
• Use a readily available study area.
• Does study place have needed study materials
  (paper, pencils, calculator).
• Have a comfortable chair, enough light and a
  comfortable temperature.
• Find a place with minimal distractions (t.v.,
  computer).
• Find a place free from interruptions
  (telephone).

10
Study Groups

• Group members can help motivate you to study
  because you feel committed to study so you wont
  let your friends down.
• Studying with others can be enjoyable.
• You can learn by talking and discussing
  information.
• You can compare class notes and fill in any
  missing information.
• Teaching and explaining information and
  concepts to other group members will help you
  reinforce your mastery of the information and
  concepts.

11
Study Groups

• You can compare class notes and fill in any
  missing information.
• Teaching and explaining information and
  concepts to other group members will help you
  reinforce your mastery of the information and
  concepts.
• Studying alone may be boring, studying with
  others may be more enjoyable.