Is it finals week? Here’s the perfect finals study schedule for you to follow!

When finals roll around, it can feel like a super stressful time. It’s the time to show that you know your stuff. If you have test anxiety, it can make matters feel worse. I recommend focusing on what you can control during this time. One of those things happens to be your finals study schedule. You might not be able to know just how hard that exam or final assignment will be, but you can choose how much you prepare.

The tips and steps in this blog post apply for high school and college students. You can use the same method for other big testing periods, like midterms, PSATs/ SATs, AP exams, and more.

10 TIPS FOR STUDYING FOR FINALS

1. Don’t wait to start studying.

I recommend that you start studying at least two weeks prior to your actual finals week. This way, you get two solid weeks of preparation plus the extra time in between exams during finals week. If you study regularly throughout the whole semester, it won’t feel so overwhelming. If you currently find yourself in the overwhelmed boat, you absolutely can still get good results, but make the commitment to yourself now that you will follow a regular study schedule next semester/ year.

2. Prioritize the subject(s) that you struggle with the most.

When it comes to studying for finals, this isn’t a case where you want to study for your classes in chronological order. (I recommend doing your homework/projects in chronological order in my other blog posts Productive Routine For Students | 7 Tips For Success and The Ultimate 7-Step Daily Routine Schedule For Students, which you should definitely check out if you’re a student!) Let’s say calculus is your toughest subject. Even if your calculus exam is the last one you’ll be taking during finals week, you shouldn’t put off studying for it until later. When making your finals study schedule, you should make as much study time possible for your toughest or most intense classes. You won’t have to cram and will feel much more confident after spending lots of time with the subject material.

3. Use the Pomodoro method.

The Pomodoro method is my absolute favorite studying method out there! If you haven’t heard of it before, the idea is to study or work uninterrupted for a block of time, followed by a short period of rest. When it comes to studying, frequent breaks are best! I recommend working for 25 minutes, then resting for 5 minutes, or working for 50 minutes and then resting for 10 minutes. Do this as many times as you need, and don’t fall for thinking that those breaks are wasted time! You will absorb content more this way, and you can even be productive on your breaks.  Throw a load of laundry in, have a snack, or call your significant other. This is my favorite Pomodoro timer that I use.

4. Rewrite your notes as a way to study.

Rewriting your notes is something that I recommend you do throughout the semester. I personally was never the greatest note taker during class 😂 I had to scribble everything down to keep up with my teacher or professor since I’m a slow at handwriting. As soon as possible, I’d go back to rewrite my notes in a neat and orderly fashion. If you do this regularly, that’s great — you could take all your rewritten notes and create a review/summary of sorts. If you go to rewrite them, take the time to reorganize them and add in more details that you want to remember.

5. Take mock quizzes and tests.

Whether you find a premade test online, you’re lucky enough to receive a practice exam from your teacher/professor, or you make your very own mock exam, this is one of the best ways to study. Recreate the experience of a final exam — give yourself only as much time to take the test as you would get during the actual exam, don’t listen to music, use the right No. 2 pencil, etc. Familiarizing yourself with the feeling of taking a final exam can be half the battle. This can also be more casual in the form of a friend or family member quizzing you with flashcards.

6. Get comfortable with what trips you up.

Looking at the questions that stress you out the most will prevent feelings of pure panic when you inevitably run across them on the exam. My favorite way to do this was by reviewing the material I got wrong on past tests and quizzes. I’d redo the problems until I understood them and got them right. You should also definitely consult with your teacher or professor if there are concepts you’re still really struggling to understand.

7. “Teach” the material.

“Teaching” the material ensures that you understand it to the point that you could teach it to another person. I recommend you give this a shot, but only after you’ve put in multiple hours of studying and practicing. When I was in college, we had access to study in classrooms on the weekends. I loved practicing long math problems out on the whiteboard and pretending like I was the teacher. I honestly think it made me understand the material better. Also, you don’t have to teach to a fake student — parents, friends, and significant others make the best guinea pigs!

8. Don’t overload a certain side of your brain.

The left side of the brain is more geared toward logic and analyzing, while the right side of the brain is more known for creativity and intuition. Subjects like math and science fall under the left brain category, while subjects like history and languages fall under the right brain category. Do yourself a favor and balance out your brain power on study days. For example, study for your math and English finals in one day, then your science and history finals the second day.

9. Finish papers early, if applicable.

I was an English and Writing major in college, so many of my finals came in the form of papers. I personally loved this because I never loved sitting for exams and it felt like I got to take all the time in the world to work on them. If you have a final paper to write, give yourself as much time as possible to complete it. Aim to finish it a day before it’s due — you don’t want a system glitch when you submit it or printer mishap if you have to drop a hard copy off to your instructor in person.

10. Prioritize sleep!

You need to have a serious bedtime that you stick to during finals. I know how it feels when it’s getting down to the wire. You might think that staying up late to cram all that information in your head is going to be helpful, but it won’t be. All you have to do is make the most of your predetermined study time so that you don’t have to give up any sleep. And during finals week? Nap after or in between your exams, if you can!

YOUR FINALS STUDY SCHEDULE

Follow these exact steps for the perfect finals study schedule.

• First, block out your scheduled exam times and/or due dates. The moment you have access to this information, take note and write it all down. You’ll be basing the next few weeks around these very important times!
• Second, block out time to study. Remember to prioritize your toughest subjects, make time for mock exams, and balance your subjects out!
• Third, block out personal time. You NEED to take care of your mental and physical health during this time. Make sure you are getting out of your room or dorm, schedule study dates with your friends, and even block out meal times if you’re prone to skipping them. Don’t forget to have fun, too! Make plans for a big party or celebration once your exams are over.
• Get specific. Once all of your time is blocked out, make a checklist of what you want to accomplish. What are you going to do within each study session? Rewrite notes, review flash cards, do research? What about during your personal time? Do you need to start packing up your dorm since you’ll be heading home for the summer after your last exam? Making definite to-dos for your list will help to keep you on track.
• Finally, reassess your plan as time goes on. Maybe at the beginning of your studying you were panicked over your chemistry final. As time has gone on though, you’ve gotten more comfortable with concepts that tripped you up before and are feeling much more confident. So maybe those extra study sessions aren’t as necessary anymore — maybe your Spanish final needs a bit more attention now. Or maybe you can go out for an ice cream date with your friends! Be flexible and adjust your plans as necessary.

Final Thoughts

Have you gone through finals week in the past? What were some tips that helped you survive? What does your finals study schedule look like? Let me know in the comments below!

This blog post discussed the perfect finals study schedule.

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