This week you might be studying with friends, alone, in absolute silence, playing music, re-writing information, or using flashcards. The truth is, I could stand here and vouch for any of these ways of studying. Studying with friends might hold you accountable and make you do work. Absolute silence can help you concentrate on only one thing at a time. Flashcards can test your skills in a fun and not overwhelming way.
You may see all these “studying tips” or “hacks” online to help you concentrate. They may work for you and that’s great! But you also might find that more often than not, these don’t work for everyone. That’s because even though there are some clear truths- like how repeating a material many times will help you remember it- everyone has their own way to stop procrastinating.
Personally, I find the hardest thing to do is to start. I think this is because of how extensive and overwhelming a project might look. That’s why I recommend your first step be simply opening the assignment, looking at the requirements, and creating a document. This creates easy, digestible tasks that will get your brain ready to focus.
This is just what works for me. What I recommend most for study is to think about what works for you and your learning style. Try those tips and hacks but don’t be scared to admit it if they aren’t for you. Take another approach. Change studying locations, phone a friend, print lecture slides and write on them. You might find the thing that works best for you just by trying.
Studying takes a willingness to put in the work. One thing I can wholeheartedly recommend during preparation for finals is to take care of your physical and mental health first. Sleep is incredibly important for your development and memory; it helps you stay sharp. Eating proper meals gives you the energy to tackle this week to the best of your ability. Having moments of relaxation between the hours of studying helps you process information better than cramming everything at once.
Take care of yourselves, and good luck with your finals Maroons.
Andrea Flores
Staff Reporter
