Study skills for finals season
With finals rapidly approaching, we at the Lee Clarion want to verify that you know how to best study for exams. Whether it’s your first semester at Lee or your last, here are some helpful study methods that you can implement before it's too late.
Spaced Repetition
Since there is still a short period of time before exams are set to start, the method of space repetition could be useful to those who find themselves to be a stereotypical “crammer.” This study format focuses on not trying to consume or reconsume all materials in a singular sitting, but to, as the name suggests, space out the material over a few study sessions.
This information, outlined by Med School Insiders, is built upon the studies of psychologist Herman Ebbinghaus’ the Forgetting Curve. Essentially, over days, we begin to lose parts of what we learn, and by implementing spaced repetition, this can be directly combatted, building a confidence in the materials you need to know before taking your finals.
The Feynman Technique/Protégé Effect
This study method not only involves getting to talk during your study session, but it directly helps one’s knowledge through active engagement with the material. This method can be classified as learning through teaching someone else. The Feynman Technique/Protégé Effect uses active recall to force a deeper processing of materials. The benefits of this study method is described by the company Growth Engineering.
To be the most useful for upcoming exams, use the materials given by professors to study first. Then “teach” to someone else before going back to your source material to fill in any gaps of information you may have missed. Once you understand the material, simplifying and shortening answers would be helpful for a shorter recall. When using this study method, it should be noticed that you do not have to talk to a physical person for the teaching aspect, as this can be done while talking to yourself or even your stuffed animal, the key is talking to something.
Study tips
While there are certainly more studying methods out there than those mentioned above, here are some other basic study tips.
For those that tend to be more repetition based and centered toward more visual learning, either rewriting notes or writing out the study guides for your exams might prove to be helpful.
According to the University of Augustine for Health Sciences, another study tip for visual learners is to highlight or color code the parts of one’s notes needed for the exam. The colors can help recall while studying.
A method for auditory learners, recommended by Hub Student Success Coach, Kaylen Purks, is Google NotebookLM. This software allows its users to upload their notes for it to create notecards or podcasts with the information given.
Jeff Pitts, Hub student success coach and overseer for tutoring, highlights the importance of getting to know what style of studying best fits you.
“One methodology is knowing what's best for you and how you retain information best,” Pitts said. “The second method is understanding how you learn best…if you understand your preferred learning style then you can utilize it to help you retain information and grow and expand your understanding.”
Pitts and Purks emphasize using resources available and to not be afraid to reach out for any help if they feel it’s needed.
“Capitalize on the resource of tutoring we have here at Lee University,” Pitts said. “We have tutors for [almost] every course, especially core courses.”
These sessions are encouraged by Purks, “If you're confused on something, make sure you meet with a tutor.”
These sessions are valuable, as stated by Pitts, “They can really help a student excel and improve and have what they need to to do well on the final.”
The day of exams
Hub coaches recommend getting a good night's rest, eating a good breakfast or a snack, and even saying prayers before taking your exams.
“[From] a Christian faith perspective, go ahead and say a prayer,” Pitts said. “The Lord might bring [to] your remembrance some things that you studied.”
Lastly, Purks and Pitts wish to offer some words of advice and encouragement as finals week approaches.
“Don't let anxiety and panic set in because it will trip you up…try to have some encouragement of peace about it and just do your best,” Pitts said.
“Finals are important, and you should do your best to study for them. But if you do not feel confident, don't put everything into this one test. Your life will continue even if you don't do as good as you thought you would,” Purks said.
With these helpful tips and a few new study methods to try out, we wish all students the best of luck on their finals and hope that you expand your studying in a way that is still comfortable to you.
Students are encouraged to research and devise their own unique method of studying and to contact the Hub if they are in need of assistance. The Hub offices can be found in the PCSU in office suite 304 or you can reach out online through the Student Success page on Lee’s website.
