De-Cram Your Exams Resources

Final Exam Schedule

• Create a succinct list, including dates, times and materials needed, for all your finals/ papers/projects: Final Exam Schedule and Information (view example)
• Prepare in advance. Don't wait until final exam week to start "cramming" in all sorts of new information. Ideally, finals are a time to review previously learned material, not a time to learn new material.

Conquering Finals

• Study time — Utilize the hours of the day when you are most efficient!.
• Schedule study breaks. Set realistic goals (e.g., “I will study for two hours and take a 10 minute break,” instead of, ”I will study for six hours and not take any breaks.”) To eliminate procrastination, try using the Pomodoro technique. 
• Avoid studying for two similar courses consecutively. Break up similar courses with a different course (e.g., biology, English, chemistry).
• Detach from the “panic mania” around you. Being around panicky and nervous people will only enhance your own sense of anxiety.
• Maintain a healthy diet and exercise daily.
• The night(s) before:
  • Avoid late hours/the temptation to stay up all night.
  • Calmly review your material and be sure to get a good night's sleep.
  • Refrain from excessive use of caffeine or sleep/wake medications.
• Relax for the half-hour before the test.
• Take a break between your exams, when your schedule permits. Unwind a bit.

Organizing Your Study Time

• Make a master End of Semester Plan (view example) — A “To Do” list of studying and end-of-semester preparations. Include academic work like papers, projects, finals, social obligations, and any moving tasks.
• Break master plan into a Comprehensive Study Plan for Each Class (view example). Consider:
  
  • What will each final cover? (cumulative v. specific chapters)
  • What percent of my final grade is based on the final exam?
  • What priority is this course, relative to other courses I am taking?
  • How am I already doing in this course?
  • Have I finished all of the reading and/or assignments?
  • Do I have all of my lecture notes? Are they organized?
  • How much time will it take to cover this material?
• Break up material into smaller sections.
• Determine how much time it will take to review the material. (Be sure to include time to review/condense text and notes.)
• If there is too much material to cover well, try to determine what will be the most important material and concentrate on these areas.
• Plan an End of Semester Weekly Schedule (view example)
  • Plot study periods from now until the final for each class.
  • To prevent burnout, optimal study periods include 50–60 minutes of study time with 10-minute breaks between where you can review and self-test.
  • Allow longer study periods for grasping larger concepts and forming relationships among facts and concepts.
  • Pick a place to study that is comfortable and has minimal distractions (e.g., well lit, quiet, warm, etc.).
  • Be aware of your biological clock and use this information to determine your optimal study times.
  • Take breaks after putting in study time.
  • Try not to disrupt your normal routines; allow time for a balance of your normal activities (e.g., exercise, sleep, eating, social).

Highly Recommended Study Strategy Sites

• CollegeInfoGeek — Lots of different resources (podcasts, articles and videos)
• Effective Studying especially for Online Courses — Videos by an Academic Specialist 
• Studying More Effectively for College Exams