Surviving Finals Week
Dealing with stress
Selective cramming
Scheduling for exams
Rehearsing the information
Sample Exam Questions
Anywhere University
Sociology: Estimate the
sociological problems
that might accompany
the end of the world.
Construct an
experiment to test your
theory.
Medicine: You have been
provided with a razor
blade, a piece of gauze
and a bottle of Scotch.
Remove your appendix.
Do not suture your work
until it has been
inspected. You have 15
minutes
Dealing With Tension





Organize yourself
Take time to relax
Adopt a positive approach
Anxiety is contagious
Plan rewards
Make A Game Plan






When is the exam?
How much material does the exam cover?
What is my grade now? What is my goal?
What types of errors did I make on past
exams?
What strategies were successful?
What new strategies will I need to overcome
past difficulties?
Schedule Your Study Periods






Begin at least a week before finals week
Allow large blocks of time for studying
Allow short periods for review
Vary what you study and how you study
Schedule breaks and exercise
Stay with your routine
Cram Selectively



Gather all materials -Divide and conquer
Make courageous choices
Choose the most important elements
–

Most recent material – lecture notes – textbook –
themes that cut across all materials – areas
where you’re weakest
Know what it is you don’t know – spend more
of your time here.
Use Review Cards & Other Study Aids






Flash cards- portable, easy to test and mix
ideas
Mind maps – shows relationships
Summary Sheets – more detail – include
most important and most difficult concepts
Essay Questions
Old Exams – greater challenge
Commercial Study Guides – saves time
Use the 25/75 Rule


Spend 25% of your time organizing
information
Spend 75% of your time testing, recalling,
reciting, writing, etc.
(Remember, it’s better to find out what you
don’t know now than in the exam room.)
The Night Before






Calmly review what you’ve learned
Focus on integrating and synthesizing
Continue self-testing by using small pieces of
time
Avoid staying up all night
Avoid cramming new material
Don’t go to the movies
Take Care of Yourself



Moderate stimulants
Use campus resources, as needed
Maintain regular eating and sleeping patterns
Check out these resources

Academic Success Center
–
–
–

KRCH 4th Floor
765-525-9328
purdue.edu/asc
Psychological Services
–
765-494-6995