The Final Countdown
Courtney Bergey
Issue date: 4/30/09 Section: News
Finals.
The word alone can make any college student cringe. As the spring semester draws to a close, it is time for most students to buckle down and prepare for those infamous exams.
We should all know by now that a caffeine-induced, all-nighter on the eve of a test is a risky situation and that early preparation is key.
"The time to start is now. Students should start preparing the first day of class by keeping up with the notes and staying organized," said Mary Gesing, counselor at Kirkwood Community College.
But perhaps a lesser known rule is to be good to thyself, mentally and physically. Gesing said that a lot more students have been seeking counseling as the semester begins winding down. "There are a lot more stress issues as we begin the last few weeks of school because students are worried about their classes and finals," she said.
Before beginning to worry about an upcoming test, students should make themselves a priority. Gesing suggests eating healthy, exercising and getting enough sleep during these last few weeks of spring semester. "If your body's not working, your mind won't work either," she said.
Studying right can make a difference, too. For instance, students should think about past study sessions and figure out what time of the day is the most productive for them.
Some experts say that studying during the day is worth two hours of studying at night but everyone is different. "Don't study one thing for more than an hour and be sure to take breaks," said Gesing.
Another factor to keep in mind during prep time is the study environment. While it may be convenient to study at home, noisy roommates, television shows and messy bedrooms are too distracting. Go to a coffee shop, find a bench outside or head to the Kirkwood library.
When studying, it's OK to think outside the textbook. Look up your material in a different context, like a book from the library or a website. Exposure to the information in that way can help in understanding an idea better than re-reading the same confusing paragraph. Make flashcards, study with a group or make a game out of it.
There are a number of ways to spice up a study routine. "Study with all parts of your body," said Gesing, who suggested going on a walk with flashcards, talking about the material with a classmate or reciting it aloud by yourself.
Finals at Kirkwood begin Friday, May 8. For more useful study tips, visit www.studytips.org.
The word alone can make any college student cringe. As the spring semester draws to a close, it is time for most students to buckle down and prepare for those infamous exams.
We should all know by now that a caffeine-induced, all-nighter on the eve of a test is a risky situation and that early preparation is key.
"The time to start is now. Students should start preparing the first day of class by keeping up with the notes and staying organized," said Mary Gesing, counselor at Kirkwood Community College.
But perhaps a lesser known rule is to be good to thyself, mentally and physically. Gesing said that a lot more students have been seeking counseling as the semester begins winding down. "There are a lot more stress issues as we begin the last few weeks of school because students are worried about their classes and finals," she said.
Before beginning to worry about an upcoming test, students should make themselves a priority. Gesing suggests eating healthy, exercising and getting enough sleep during these last few weeks of spring semester. "If your body's not working, your mind won't work either," she said.
Studying right can make a difference, too. For instance, students should think about past study sessions and figure out what time of the day is the most productive for them.
Some experts say that studying during the day is worth two hours of studying at night but everyone is different. "Don't study one thing for more than an hour and be sure to take breaks," said Gesing.
Another factor to keep in mind during prep time is the study environment. While it may be convenient to study at home, noisy roommates, television shows and messy bedrooms are too distracting. Go to a coffee shop, find a bench outside or head to the Kirkwood library.
When studying, it's OK to think outside the textbook. Look up your material in a different context, like a book from the library or a website. Exposure to the information in that way can help in understanding an idea better than re-reading the same confusing paragraph. Make flashcards, study with a group or make a game out of it.
There are a number of ways to spice up a study routine. "Study with all parts of your body," said Gesing, who suggested going on a walk with flashcards, talking about the material with a classmate or reciting it aloud by yourself.
Finals at Kirkwood begin Friday, May 8. For more useful study tips, visit www.studytips.org.
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