Thanksgiving is this week and that means time away from campus, being with family, sleeping in, and of course, eating well . . . extremely well. Yeah, you’ve probably been home at some point this semester, but I doubt you’ve eaten the way you will on Thursday.
Thanksgiving on Thursday also means final exams are right around the corner. I know, I know. You don’t really want to think about that, but I wouldn’t be taking care of you if I didn’t keep you on point. This is your first set of final exams and I want you to feel good about them. Because we are going to do this the right way, it’s time to start preparing now to ensure the best results possible. What does that mean? You know I’m not going to leave you hanging. I’m giving you a few tips on how to get started prepping for final exams. It’s pretty much how we prepare for mid-terms and here goes.
Confirm the date, time, and location of your final exam. It may sound like a no-brainer to some, but trust me, not all students know this. Furthermore, final exams are not always held in the room where you have class, particularly if it’s a common final (every enrolled student takes the same exam at the same time). Also, I know students who missed exams because they didn’t have this information written down.
Now that we have that out of the way, let’s talk content. Clarify what material will be covered and create study guides based on your syllabus and course notes. Re-take each quiz and test – under testing conditions – and take any questions you have to office hours and/or study sessions. Matter of fact, find out if there are review sessions and make your own if necessary. While you’re doing that, create or rely or on your study group to go over concepts. Create a study plan to spread out the material you have to study over the days before the final. We’re studying for retention and understanding, not just regurgitation. You’re probably thinking, Dr. Dee I just want to get through my final. I’m setting you up for the long game, though.
If you have a final paper or project that will serve as our final exam, have a timeline worked out to finish it at least 24-48 hours prior to the submission deadline. Y’all know how I feel about all-nighters – your brain doesn’t work as well and you rarely submit your best work when you’re working in a frenzy.
In most cases, your final exam isn’t going to significantly increase your grade or save you. Honestly, it will help you maintain or give you a small bump. However, a bad one can hurt you no matter what the percentage. My goal is for you to know what you’re dealing with and dive in feeling confident about what you know and how to figure out the rest. Let's get it!
Questions? You can always email me (dedra@tasseltotassel) or send a DM on Instagram (@tassel2tassel).