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Best way to study for finals

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boomie
Posts: 1638 - Karma: 3,165
It's that time of the year where studying for finals consumes my life and my skiing time goes down the drain. I'm wondering what people do for studying for finals, and what study methods have worked best for them. Also how many days do you spend studying for each subject?

Thanks
Dec 12 2014 10:23AM
104 6
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IKEA
Posts: 622 - Karma: 3,111
Masturbate
Dec 12 2014 10:25AM
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270on420out
Posts: 7519 - Karma: 51,244
Lock myself in my room, study for a couple of hours, have a mental breakdown, develop hatred for education, quit studying, get a C. Result=satisfied
Dec 12 2014 10:26AM
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TheBigApple
Posts: 1169 - Karma: 488
xanax
Dec 12 2014 10:39AM
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Anathema
Posts: 21048 - Karma: 5,062
i suck at studying, so i just keep up to date on everything throughout the course. when i get to the end of the semester it's just a quick refresher on the things that i already knew.

some people leave shit right for the end and it's a total nightmare of trying to cram and learn a million different things that are inevitably not going to stick.
Dec 12 2014 10:39AM
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Mingg
Posts: 13993 - Karma: 49,693
I never needed to study in high school, so studying for finals is really hard. I've been studying in the morning, going skiing or something other than studying during the middle of the day, then around 6/7 I'll start studying again until I'm too tired. Not sure if it's a good way to do things, but it's kept me sane so I must be doing something right.
Dec 12 2014 10:42AM
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boomie
Posts: 1638 - Karma: 3,165
Anathemai suck at studying, so i just keep up to date on everything throughout the course. when i get to the end of the semester it's just a quick refresher on the things that i already knew.

some people leave shit right for the end and it's a total nightmare of trying to cram and learn a million different things that are inevitably not going to stick.


This is kind of my situation hah. All my grades are on the verge of A/A- or A-/B+
Luckily only 3 out of my 5 classes are cumulative.
Dec 12 2014 10:42AM
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JAHpow
Posts: 7282 - Karma: 17,182
First I condense all my notes onto a couple pages. Then I simply go through it once front to back then start in the middle and go through it again. I then do the same thing but backwards and I do those cycles several times. Works like a charm.
Dec 12 2014 10:49AM
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connecticunt
Posts: 847 - Karma: 1,541
Moon_ShoesLock myself in my room, study for a couple of hours, have a mental breakdown, develop hatred for education, quit studying, get a C. Result=satisfied


Usually what ends up happening for me. Literally never studied for a test in my life before college, so I feel your pain mingg. But finals have been kicking my ass recently. I love notecards though. And rewriting my old notes. It sounds stupid but listening to classical music really helps.
Dec 12 2014 10:59AM
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crotchvent
Posts: 1527 - Karma: 2,184
Read your textbooks and notes cover to cover on the lift while skiing.
Dec 12 2014 12:00PM
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youngloaf
Posts: 216 - Karma: 734
1. Buy Adderall
2. Stay Up
3. Read whatever you need to.
4. Write out important stuff.
5. Make sure that you get decent sleep the night before so do not take adderall the night before a test but definitely have some left over for the day of the test.
Dec 12 2014 12:08PM
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El_Barto.
Posts: 11661 - Karma: 24,348
read your text book as fast as possible. The entire thing in on sitting. Dont do any practice problems, they will only slow you down. Make sure to study the index and publication information and what edition the book is.

When it comes to the test you want to forget everything you know. Write profanities in your test and call your teacher a slut.

Repeat the grade forever and never age.
Dec 12 2014 12:18PM
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DasGoatenshafter
Posts: 580 - Karma: 307
BearGrillsMasturbate


...Procrasturbate?
Dec 12 2014 12:19PM
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RevolverHustleOt
Posts: 42 - Karma: 119
MoaWarmed1. Buy Adderall

obvs beta
Dec 12 2014 12:19PM
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Olimar
Posts: 3537 - Karma: 4,077
Anathemai suck at studying, so i just keep up to date on everything throughout the course. when i get to the end of the semester it's just a quick refresher on the things that i already knew.

some people leave shit right for the end and it's a total nightmare of trying to cram and learn a million different things that are inevitably not going to stick.


damn... this sounds like a good idea.
Dec 12 2014 12:29PM
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no_steeze
Posts: 23992 - Karma: 4,274
Most of my exams are just writing essays so the ability to do well comes pretty much entirely from having done the various readings throughout the course.

I usually study during the day when I don't have anything else to do that way I can look forward to chilling at night once i'm finished as opposed to just waiting to go to bed when I'm too tired to study anymore
Dec 12 2014 12:31PM
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Kooky_Lukey
Posts: 1002 - Karma: 1,966
Just write everything down, don't type. Writing is such a fine motor skill and your brain will have a much easier time remembering what you wrote down than if you typed , read, etc... unless you have a photographic memory
Dec 12 2014 12:36PM
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ABdrummer
Posts: 533 - Karma: 673
Read somewhere that writing is the equivalent to reading something 8 times. I just write everything out from slides/book and it works. Practice problems too.
Dec 12 2014 12:42PM
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X-REY
Posts: 996 - Karma: 387
Don't worry about studying, focus more on editing...
Dec 12 2014 1:56PM
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boomie
Posts: 1638 - Karma: 3,165
X-REYDon't worry about studying, focus more on editing...


The edit is ready hah, just might add some footy from tomorrow from it! We need more shots of you
Dec 12 2014 2:06PM
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Piste.Off
Posts: 11586 - Karma: 1,860
Totally dependent on the type of class:

Math/Physics: practice problems over and over
Biology/Physiology: get a white board, draw out systems, mechanisms, steps, whatever
Chem: do the reactions over and over, write out all mechanisms, know them forwards and backwards
Essay type finals: write out an outline before with all your main points so just add more detail for your actual essay
Dec 12 2014 2:35PM
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.Hugo.
Posts: 17360 - Karma: 28,488
flashcards
Dec 12 2014 2:58PM
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NEPTR
Posts: 766 - Karma: 1,936
sometimes when i need to study i write everything on my mittens and read it up the chairlifts
Dec 13 2014 1:21AM
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Mingg
Posts: 13993 - Karma: 49,693
KBonesometimes when i need to study i write everything on my mittens and read it up the chairlifts


In high school I used to write essays on my phone on the lift. I actually wrote a lot of sick shit for my creative writing class because of it.
Dec 13 2014 1:25AM
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toastyteenagers
Posts: 1834 - Karma: 6,793
If you need go read a lot, say out of an onlibe text book, you can copy and paste it into a spritz reader like readsy.co , shits cool right?
Dec 13 2014 2:24AM
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xxACIDTRIPxx
Posts: 5980 - Karma: 8,176
Take ritz
Dec 13 2014 3:45AM
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skithesprings
Posts: 9086 - Karma: 1,349
amphetamines
Dec 13 2014 3:55AM
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lIllI
Posts: 1255 - Karma: 1,986
MoaWarmedAdderall


Coward.
Dec 13 2014 6:52PM
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caucasian_chad
Posts: 4078 - Karma: 3,625
One thing that I did that I thought was really helpful for studying for finals was I I went though my syllabuses and my grades so far in each class and figured out which classes the finals mattered the most in. The classes where I had the largest potential to improve or damage my grade were the ones I would study the most for. Out of that group there would almost always be at least one where I would need like a 97% to get and A or a 25% to drop to a C if I came in with a B, and I just wouldn't even study for that one.

Once I had determined which finals were most important I would start blocking out study time. I would make a 24 hour schedule for the entire week and start by filling in things that I had to do like work and actually taking the finals, then start blocking in study time around those things. I also always blocked in at least 6 hours of sleep per day, studying in lieu of sleep is stupid. One time when I had all AM finals I did change my sleep schedule for the week and sleep in the afternoon instead of at night though so I could study right up to the finals and not worry about oversleeping, but that's definitely not for everyone.

Also, try to fit at least a few hours in on a couple of the days where you can do something fun, otherwise you'll go crazy. Days where you don't have any finals are good for this. Also give yourself a short break every 2 to 3 hours and go for a walk or something. You'll be much more focused when you get back to studying after a short break.

No Internet while you're studying is a good idea too. Download any course materials you need then turn off the Wifi and the cell phone. Studying with a group of classmates can help keep you stay on task too plus you'll probably learn something from them.
Dec 13 2014 8:00PM
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TOAST.
Posts: 7550 - Karma: 37,164
Don't study with idiots.
Dec 13 2014 8:06PM
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dales
Posts: 63 - Karma: 17
I always start out with listing every topic I have had throughout the year.
Then I make a plan for what I want to study on the different days up to the exams and how to study.
For written exams do a lot of exercises
For oral exams, a lot of discussions with my class mates.

and most importantly, drink a few beers the day before the exam.
Dec 14 2014 5:38PM
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Shredsterr
Posts: 2090 - Karma: 6,930
Make sure you have a ratio of 10 minutes study time for 20 minutes NS time. or a 2:1 NS to study ratio. This will guarantee you get fuck all done, and by the night before the test, you will post in this same thread that you're fucked for your exam because you followed that rat fink Shredsterr's advice.
Dec 14 2014 5:51PM
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RevolverHustleOt
Posts: 42 - Karma: 119
caucasian_chadOne thing that I did that I thought was really helpful for studying for finals was I I went though my syllabuses and my grades so far in each class and figured out which classes the finals mattered the most in. The classes where I had the largest potential to improve or damage my grade were the ones I would study the most for. Out of that group there would almost always be at least one where I would need like a 97% to get and A or a 25% to drop to a C if I came in with a B, and I just wouldn't even study for that one.

Once I had determined which finals were most important I would start blocking out study time. I would make a 24 hour schedule for the entire week and start by filling in things that I had to do like work and actually taking the finals, then start blocking in study time around those things. I also always blocked in at least 6 hours of sleep per day, studying in lieu of sleep is stupid. One time when I had all AM finals I did change my sleep schedule for the week and sleep in the afternoon instead of at night though so I could study right up to the finals and not worry about oversleeping, but that's definitely not for everyone.

Also, try to fit at least a few hours in on a couple of the days where you can do something fun, otherwise you'll go crazy. Days where you don't have any finals are good for this. Also give yourself a short break every 2 to 3 hours and go for a walk or something. You'll be much more focused when you get back to studying after a short break.

No Internet while you're studying is a good idea too. Download any course materials you need then turn off the Wifi and the cell phone. Studying with a group of classmates can help keep you stay on task too plus you'll probably learn something from them.


Wow.. maybe you should focus more on learning in the first place.. hell I'm a second year engineering student with good grades and you managed to make me feel very fucking lazy.. 'we r so busy because finals' is some funneh student's drama
Dec 14 2014 6:29PM
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caucasian_chad
Posts: 4078 - Karma: 3,625
RevolverHustleOtWow.. maybe you should focus more on learning in the first place.. hell I'm a second year engineering student with good grades and you managed to make me feel very fucking lazy.. 'we r so busy because finals' is some funneh student's drama

Just because I have a solid plan doesn't mean I'm freaking out or unprepared or not learning, I'm just a huge procrastinator so I needed to really force myself to study or I wouldn't study at all. In reality, I actually didn't study that much for finals because I still worked about 20 hours during finals week usually and skied at least 1 day during fall finals. I'm a pretty good test taker so I always felt pretty confident going into finals except for the odd class here and there where I was having a little trouble. In fact, finals week always was less stressful to me because there would be like 10 less hours spent in classrooms than a normal college week and no homework to to. Planning out my week hour by hour was a reality of my entire college career because I had to work so much to avoid taking out any loans and I was also on the ski team. I think doing that helped me get my shit done in a more timely manner so I could do fun stuff with my friends when I wanted to.
Dec 14 2014 8:41PM
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Wheaty214
Posts: 1687 - Karma: 841
Anathemai suck at studying, so i just keep up to date on everything throughout the course. when i get to the end of the semester it's just a quick refresher on the things that i already knew.

some people leave shit right for the end and it's a total nightmare of trying to cram and learn a million different things that are inevitably not going to stick.


This is what people need to understand. Finals are so much easier and less stressful when you keep up with everything through out the course. If you are on track the entire semester studying for finals is just a review, no cramming needed.

The best thing to do is to review the different sections you've learned over a few days. Space it out instead of cramming. When you space the information you study out over a few days, you retain the information much better than you would if you crammed it into one study session. This is called the Spacing Effect.

Also, make sure you get plenty of sleep. You retain information better if you study it before bed, there is less interference so the information will solidify during sleep. In other words, sleep on it.

So the best things you can do to prepare for finals are:
Keep up with what you're learning through the semester.
Space out your studying.
Get plenty of sleep (It helps form memories).
Don't cram.
The Testing Effect states that testing yourself on the information helps you solidify that knowledge.
Create original notes, written or typed. Studyblue.com is great for this.

Good luck guys.
Dec 14 2014 9:01PM
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DrunkenHermit
Posts: 28 - Karma: 77
lots of coffee and the library
Dec 14 2014 9:19PM
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Toaster-Tony
Posts: 3531 - Karma: 5,850
-Drink a lot in the preceding days
-Fight off the hangovers
-Finally crack a book a couple days before
-Be the guy in Wal-mart at 3am buying more coffee
-Barely show up to the final
-Say a quick prayer in thanks for passing
Dec 14 2014 9:25PM
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SPskier543
Posts: 2413 - Karma: 324
Step 1: Drink a ridiculous amount 1 night approximately 2-3 days before exams start to obtain a debilitating hangover lasting through the next day
Step 2 (Next Morning): Hate myself for drinking that much and promise never to drink again
Step 3 (Starting in afternoon): Study for 2 days straight while the hatred of alcohol still runs deep due to said hangover
Step 4: Do well on exams
Step 5: Forgive alcohol, proceed to drink ridiculous amounts of alcohol in sloppy celebration
Dec 15 2014 12:12AM
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Mingg
Posts: 13993 - Karma: 49,693
SPskier543Step 5: Forgive alcohol, proceed to drink ridiculous amounts of alcohol in sloppy celebration


I am at step 5 currently.
It is clearly the most important step.
Dec 15 2014 12:29AM
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Skibumsmith
Posts: 5441 - Karma: 11,942
1. work really hard
2. still only pull off a B- in materials science
3. write scathing review of class
Dec 15 2014 12:47AM
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GayWolf420
Posts: 37696 - Karma: 123,928
flashcards the the best. and in math, I just go through and re-do problems from assignments/tests just as a little refresher. not too many, though. just a few to get it back down in my head
Dec 17 2014 12:06PM
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cool_name
Posts: 4295 - Karma: 3,131
Study outside of your house ideally at a place with other people studying, there is a coffee shop near my house that is just full of people studying and at least for me it really motivates me start and keep going longer
Dec 18 2014 5:18PM
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ANDR01D
Posts: 1181 - Karma: 3,319
My last final begins in 45 minutes, I'm currently in the phase where I do other things (such as go on NS) to try and calm my nerves. I've put a lot of time into studying and at this point I guess I either know it or I don't.

Also, fuck 7:30 PM finals, it sucks balls to feel this anxious for an entire day.
Dec 18 2014 8:46PM
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CHORIZO
Posts: 2003 - Karma: 10,039
Put all your study materials in a blender along with some milk (for creamyness).
Blend into a fine liquid. Pour into glass along with crushed up razorblades to open up your insides so you can absorb the knowledge faster.
Then shit on your test
Dec 18 2014 9:05PM
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MACAQUE
Posts: 2811 - Karma: 696
Whiteboards/chalkboards are my favorite study tool. I always try to find an empty classroom on campus after dinner time when most rooms are empty, and then I just post up in there for a couple hours doing practice problems and reinforcing and concepts that I don't understand.
Dec 18 2014 10:58PM
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