Activity #1:

Discuss strategies that will help students be more successful on final exams.

Time Management:

Start at least two weeks before finals; plan out your days/weeks to schedule time for homework and studying.  Look ahead to see if you can schedule time off from work or remove other time commitments; provide as much time as needed for studying leading into exam week.  

Don’t leave studying until the night before the exam. Research shows that studying for small chunks of time in regular intervals is best for your brain, one hour every day for a week is better than cramming for hours the night before. Study for 45-60 minutes then take a break to relax before sitting down to study again.  

Organization:

Find out your current grade (exact %) in each class.  Calculate what grade you need on the final to get the grade you want/need out of the class.  Figure out which exams will be more difficult and will require more studying, or which are worth the most amount of your grade (20% vs 10%).  By doing this, you use your study time more efficiently.

If I have 3 As, 3 Bs, 1 C- and 1 D, which classes should I spend the most time studying for? Explain your reasoning

If I have 19% in a class, should I spend a lot of time studying for the final?   Explain

If I have 97% in a class, should I spend a lot of time studying for the final?  Explain

If I have 58% in a class, should I spend a lot of time studying for the final?  Explain

Get a final exam study guide or review worksheet from your teacher or make one of your own.  Go through your notebook and gather all of the notes/materials that are mentioned in the study guide – that should be your focus when studying.  Reorganize your notes and create an outline of important concepts. If you are struggling in a class, ask the teacher if there will be any study sessions prior to the final exam.  Spend extra time in the Scots Center or get help from students who are strong in that content area.

Coping with Anxiety/Stress:

To decrease the amount of anxiety and stress that comes during finals week, here are some tips to remember:

1.  Be prepared  - study and be ready

2.  Eat well - your brain needs fuel to perform well

3.  Get enough sleep –your brain needs rest to perform well

4.  Be active or exercise - exercise improves mental functions as well as helps reduce stress and anxiety. Walk your dog after studying.

5.  Stay positive - doing well in school is less about being super smart and more about being willing to hard work.  You can do this!

Positive thoughts create positive actions

Positive actions create positive habits

Positive habits yield positive results.