Five Final Exam Strategies for Success

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Finals are right around the corner for Boilermakers, and for prospective students, this will be you in exactly a year! The last thing left before your well-earned summer break are final exams - and during this time, homework, projects, and final exams can start to pile up. Luckily, there are lots of ways to relieve stress and study effectively! Although most of us are not on campus right now, some of these tips can still apply during remote learning. So, here are 5 study tips to help you focus and be better prepared for final exams!

1)      Create an action plan.
Planning is key in ensuring your success. Allocate more time to classes you find particularly challenging and create your own personalized schedule of what you’re going to study and when. Personally, I like alternating between subjects. For example, if I study Chemistry on Monday morning, I will switch over to Math on Monday evening. I have found that distributing my classes like this increases long-term retention and helps me do better on exams. I also like taking short breaks when studying to process all that new information. To make the best of this break, eat a healthy snack or take a short walk near you.
2)      Study in groups.
Study with friends at one of Purdue’s libraries or coffee shops! You can gain a higher level of understanding of the material by asking your friends questions. In return, you can explain concepts that you might have a better understanding of. Also, some professors will hold extra office hours or “review sessions” to go over important topics and answer questions. A last resource that incorporates studying with peers are Supplementary Instruction (SI) sessions. SI sessions are run by Purdue students who have taken the course in the past and have done very well and know what it takes to succeed. They are trained to create fun, collaborative activities that break down hard concepts and course material. I attend SI’s quite frequently and highly recommend them to any student looking to succeed in their classes!
3)      Practice..Practice..Practice!
At Purdue, students find it beneficial to utilize old exam archives to prepare for finals. Sitting down in a quiet environment and pretending it is an actual exam will help you mentally prepare for the exam as well as check your understanding of the material. You can also review previous homework and redo those for practice.
4)      Utilize the CoRec
One of the best places on campus to destress and work out is the fitness center, or CoRec. During finals, I like to stop by the CoRec for a quick jog around the track, swim or relax in the hot tub, or get a delicious and healthy smoothie from Fuel!  Aside from having workout equipment, the Purdue CoRec offers Wellness Services such as nutrition consultations, wellness coaching, and massage and light therapy. Although these services are not just available during midterm/final season, taking advantage of them if you are ever stressed is very rewarding.
5)      Make time for yourself.
Getting a good night’s sleep and eating healthy is the most important thing you can do when it comes to destressing. Avoid skipping meals which can lead to a decrease in productivity and mood. Stay hydrated and make sure to get enough sleep. Self care is incredibly important so make sure to give yourself time to step back, absorb information, and simply do things you love.

 Radhika Kulkarni, BME ‘23
Recruitment Project Committee
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Purdue Women in Engineering

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