Final Exams? Don't Be Tempted to Cram!

The words "final exam" inspire panic in quite a few students and trigger massive last-minute studying binges.  However, studying for classes is something a wise student does regularly throughout the semester or quarter.  He or she knows that true learning takes place over an extended period of time, built in little chunks at a time on a strong foundation of knowledge.  What's that you're saying?  You're not that kind of student?  Well, you can be.  It just takes a bit of planning and a strong commitment to your education and yourself.  You should give it a try next time around.  Here's how.

Start your plan for success at the very beginning of classes.  One of the first things you should do when starting a new semester or quarter is to gather the syllabi for all your classes together along with your planner.  Begin by highlighting exam dates and important deadlines for each of your classes, and then enter that information for all classes into your planner.  This will give you an accurate view of the "big picture" and help you plan ahead to have plenty of time to prepare for important tests and projects.

For each exam you have in your classes, make a study plan.  For instance, if you are taking a 16 week course and have a cumulative midterm in week 8, you might want to start adding some extra study time for that class in about week 6.  Consider the length and point value of each exam and/or project when planning preparation time.  A 20 point multiple choice quiz over two text chapters should take less study time than a 200 point final exam over the entire course.

Good class preparation and follow up is half the battle.  If you keep up with assigned readings, take good notes during lecture, and review your notes and text on a regular basis, you are building that strong foundation of knowledge upon which your test preparation efforts will firmly rest.  Reading and reviewing your notes and the text are best done in small, manageable chunks that allow your brain to fully integrate the information well before the day of that important test.

Do some concentrated studying the night before.   Even if you are well-prepared, there's something about really cracking down for a couple hours the night before a final exam that boosts your confidence.  Don't overdo it though, and be sure to get a good night's sleep.

BUT -- if you find yourself in a tough spot and you need to cram, do it strategically.

• Concentrate on one class at a time if at all possible.
• Remove all distractions of any kind from your environment so you can focus.
• Use the study aids contained in your textbook (summaries, highlighted terms, definitions, and so on) and skim chapters for highlights and main ideas.
• Make sure you have all the supplies you need for studying on hand.
• Do not pull an all-nighter; your brain will not operate at its best without sleep!
• Plan not to put yourself in this stressful cramming situation ever again.

Want more final exam tips?  Check out The Day of the Final Exam for extra advice.

Second Chances: Retaking Classes

If you earned a failing grade in a class, it is a good idea to retake the class if you can.  Grades that are lower than a C might not eligible for transfer to a different college or university and they may not count towards graduation requirements.  While those rules will vary, one thing is for certain:  a failed class significantly lowers your GPA and leaves a blemish on your transcript.  Retaking a failed class is your best shot at limiting the negative effects on your record.  Here are some things to consider if you need to retake a class.

• Be aware of your college’s rules on retakes.  Depending on your college’s policies, the grade for the new attempt at the class may replace the old grade or be averaged with the old grade.  You will not have an unlimited number of times to retake the class.  Colleges have become much more strict about how many times students can retake classes for credit.  
• It is a good idea to retake a failed class as soon as possible.  Even though you did poorly in the class, the overall knowledge is still fresh in your mind and you can maximize your chances of doing well if you take advantage of that.
• If you are retaking the class with the same instructor, you certainly should review old materials and notes thoroughly, but don’t rely solely on them.  Remember, when you used them before, the results were not good, so taking additional notes and approaching the material from a different angle is necessary.  Do not assume that all the rules and requirements are the same as the last time you took the class.  Instructors do change their syllabi frequently, so make sure you are up to date as well.
• If you are retaking the class with a different instructor, your old materials and notes may or may not be helpful.  Instructors often use different textbooks and teach classes using quite different methods.  If you found the prior instructor’s teaching style not a good match for your learning style, taking the class with someone else is a good idea if you can possibly do so.  
• Take a detailed and honest look at what went wrong the last time you took the class and commit to correcting all of the factors you can possibly control.  If you failed the class because you did not read the text, study enough, or have good class attendance, those are relatively easy to work on.  If there were class assignments or tests that puzzled you, talk to your instructor and/or seek tutoring help.  Be proactive as possible to help assure your success in the class this time around so you can continue advancing toward your educational goals.