By Kim Dailey |Staff Writer|
Get your note cards and highlighters out, finals week is just around the corner. Students have all different methods to prepare for their finals. Some choose to stay organized and take one task at a time. But others choose not to study and procrastinate by pulling all-nighters.
Some use note-cards, highlighters, energy drinks, music, recorders, Powerpoints, lectures, books and memory to prepare for and pass their finals.
Kristy Spinney said she is, “trying to finish papers and projects early, so I can begin studying. I also tape important passages to my register at work, so I will read them over and over to help me remember.”
Julia Matulionis’ method of choice is to cram for tests, and show up consistently for class and takes notes. Some students do not like to change their study habits and keep the same routines as they always have done.
“I usually spend a 24 hour period devoted to memorizing each final’s material. When the finals are spread out to one a day this works out perfectly,” said student Melissa Moreno.
Student Charles Grays III has a similar habit as Moreno. “What I do is look over my notes everyday, but whatever final comes first I look at more, so it does not feel like I am cramming everything together. Monsters are truly my best friend during finals week,” said Grays III.
Richard De La Paz likes to snack while studying to keep focused. Adriene Moore not only makes food on her break sessions, but she dances around in her kitchen, which is weird but effective, according to Moore.
Kevin Schaefer likes to study with friends at the library, while other students have to study alone so they do not get distracted.
“I have to go somewhere like a coffee shop to study, so that I don’t get distracted,” said Scott Marinis. For those students who really are prepared, they record the lectures and listen to them later on.
“I bought a recorder last week to record two of my four classes. I plan on playing back the recorded lectures and taking notes,” said student Ja’net Moses.
Graduate student Emily Edris asks her instructors as many questions as she can so she can be prepared. “If you can keep the instructor talking about a test, more often than not, they will reveal a lot; maybe even questions you didn’t even know you had,” said Edris.
Linda Eder would request finals week off from work to get projects done and have extra study time to focus on her finals.
Study habits work differently for every individual person and they either work or do not work, but there are always different methods to try and see if they will work for your type of study habits.
Good luck on your finals!