Final Exam Survival Hints

1. Be prepared. The most important factor in exam success is preparation. Bar none. No matter how many helpful hints you employ nothing works as well as making sure you've studied enough.
2. Do your homework. Often an exam question will parallel a homework assignment. Doing your homework regularly will give your practice where you need it.
3. Review regularly. If you spend a few minutes each week reviewing your notes, your final studying will be a review, not an attempt to learn the entire term's work.
4. Study your weakest subjects first. Why? You'll be fresher and therefore better able to deal with difficult areas, and you'll have more time to deal with any problems that arise.
5. Ask for help. If you're having trouble with a particular subject, don't be afraid to ask for help. Your teacher and fellow students will be glad to give you a hand.
6. Look at old exams. Review exams and quizzes that you took during the semester.
7. Attend end of the semester classes. A lot of valuable information is outlined in the last few classes for the semester. Points of misunderstanding can be cleared up, exam format explained, and potential exam questions given.
8. Review in a group. However, make sure the review doesn't take the place of your own study time. Brainstorm possible test questions with your classmates, compare notes and test each other on the material.
9. Don't study too long. A 10-hour study marathon will only wear you out. You'll learn more if your study periods are short, frequent and include regular breaks.
10. Eat well and get a good night's sleep. Take care of yourself during exam week - you're going through a lot of stress. Make sure you hold up well.

Exam Tips

1. Your first instinct is usually correct; don't change your answers unless you are sure you made a mistake.
2. There is nothing more frustrating than knowing the material but losing marks because you did not follow the directions.
3. Keep things in perspective. Although exams are important, they're not a matter of life or death.
4. Use your strongest points first to make an immediate impact. You want to convince your professor right off the bat that your answer is worth a high mark.
5. If your workload seems overwhelming, don't get discouraged. Take the most important task that's haunting you and start in on it.

Best wishes for a successful end of the semester!