Samantha Yorke is an assistant director and success coach for the Office of Undergraduate Student Success at NSU. She earned her bachelor of science degree in psychology from the University of Central Florida and her master of science degree in higher education from Florida State University. Samantha is a proud Floridian with a passion for empowering others.
How ready do you feel for finals this semester? To put your best foot forward with your exams and reduce the amount of stress you may have in preparing for them, consider the following tips.
Check your syllabus
Yes, that piece of paper you received on the first day of class. It may be in the back of your folder or at the very least, on BlackBoard. Review it. Make sure you have all the proper exam dates, notes and books as you begin to study for your final assignments. Write these dates down in a planner or calendar so you have all of the times and locations organized to a tee. The last thing you would want is to end up in the wrong classroom or show up to your exam on the wrong day…awkward.
Create a study schedule
Set aside time each day to focus on specific courses. During this time, you can review notes, read your text and practice example problems that have been giving you a hard time. Knowing you have an allotted amount of time in your schedule will ease tension when it comes to dedicating yourself to exams. If that one math course is your biggest worry, assign a specific time each day for looking at your math materials. If your study time is written in your planner, you may feel more inclined to follow up with your own appointment. Yes, this new schedule may interfere with that Netflix marathon you have been thinking about, but it’s totally worth it.
Talk to faculty
Check in with your professors to see if they have any tips or tricks for how to best study for their final exam. You may wish to schedule an appointment with your professor or go to their office hours to discuss the course in more detail. Your professors want to you to succeed, so do not feel embarrassed taking advantage of the office hours set up specifically for moments like these.
Talk to friends
Talking to your friends or classmates about your upcoming exam may bring you great relief. If you are worried about something, it is possible they are too. Discussing feelings, thoughts and ideas related to how to best succeed in a course is not only a great way to connect with others, but it may bring new study tips to your attention. If you enjoy studying with others, set up a time each week, or several times a week to meet up and prepare for a course together. You are more likely to grab coffee with your roommate if you set up a specific time and date rather than just talk about the idea of going. The same can be said for studying.
Use your resources
There are plenty of tools on campus that will assist you in finals week preparation. Contact a success coach at 954-262-8386 to schedule an appointment to help you get connected to resources that fit your needs across campus. NSU offers tutoring, library resources and more.
Stay motivated
Remember your goals at NSU and what you hoped to get out of your courses this semester. Find ways to motivate yourself to study, like creating your own reward system or celebrating your success with friends and family. Start your studying early and avoid last minute stress — you and your final grade will thank you later.
Good luck, Sharks.
