Finals are just around the corner! It is easy to get stressed out. For many of us, it is our first finals week back in person after being online for over a year.
It can be a stressful time for students, especially those who are struggling with burnout in this final stretch. Check out these study tips to make reading week a breeze!
1. Check out campus resources
There is no shame in needing a bit of extra help in a class. If you are confused or falling behind in a class, attend your professor’s office hours, an SI session, or tutoring.
NAU’s Academic Success Center offers free one-on-one and drop in tutoring for certain classes, the Writing Commons to help with essays and papers, and Peer Academic Coaching to help students develop learning strategies. Check out the links below for more information
SI Sessions: https://in.nau.edu/academic-success-centers/supplemental-instruction/
Tutoring: https://in.nau.edu/academic-success-centers/tutoring/
Writing Commons: https://in.nau.edu/interdisciplinary-writing-program/
Peer Academic Coaching: https://in.nau.edu/academic-success-centers/peer-academic-coaching/
2. Eliminate Distractions
It’s easy to get distracted while studying. Try turning off or putting away electronics such as your phone, TV, or video games when studying. If you need your phone for reasons such as education apps, set you phone to “Don Not Disturb” to avoid text and social media notifications.
You can also eliminate distractions by studying away from home in a place such as the Student Union or the library If you want to study at home, make sure your workplace is clean and tidy.
3. Teach others
Study in groups and practice teaching each other the material. Try focusing on key points rather than small details. If you can explain difficult concepts to someone else, you are more likely to retain the material and truly understand it!
4. Use the Pomodoro Technique
This method is often used by medical students and can help prevent burnout. Start by choosing a project or an assignment to work on. Then, set a timer for 25 minutes while you work. When the timer goes off, take a 5 minute break. Every 4 study cycles take a 30 minute break.
5. Don’t Cram
Waiting until the last minute and studying all night can be tempting. However, doing this will not only leave you exhausted the day of your test, it will also lead to burnout. You can only study for so long before you no longer retain information. Try studying a little bit every day a couple weeks before your big exam to avoid cramming last minute.