Reaching the one-third mark of the semester can only mean exams. As we dive into the books scrambling to hard-wire our brains with as much information as we can, remember to calm down, get lots of rest, and stock up on as much energy as you can. Unfortunately, the reality of most of our lives has become making sure we pass all our exams. After all, doing so will surely make mommy and daddy swell with pride. However, getting lost in the mixing and shuffling of the daily grind can be easy. I believe that we all should take some time and reflect as we wrap-up the first round of exams and head into the second part of the semester.
Getting plenty of rest, as we have heard time and time again, is very important. Sleep is great for the soul. My book for General Psychology defines sleep as “a process in which important physiological changes are accompanied by major shifts in the consciousness.” In other words, if you don’t sleep, you’re depriving your body of the recuperation that it needs to tackle those big exams. Pulling all-nighters for certain exams can be very tempting, but studies show that getting a good night’s sleep can grant better test results.
At Rensselaer, your study habits can make or break you. Everyone has his or her own methods of studying, but keep in mind that the reason we study is to optimize our chances of scoring well on any particular exam. Study groups are an effective way of patching up any loose ends. While also getting information on how the enemy thinks (kidding), study groups can help you make sure that you focus on specific areas of confusion. Asking for help from others is a mutual benefit, as all parties will most likely leave with more firepower to assist them in taming the exams.
Other places of interest could be visiting a professor’s office hours, drop-in tutoring sessions, and supplemental instruction. Above all, we are paying for our education, and if you are like me, you will want to get all your money’s worth. In order to get help at times, we must be willing to seek it. College forces us to realize that sometimes our individual knowledge may not be enough. We should never let fear or pride prevent us from seeking help.
These tips are the basic ones that most college students have heard before. However, a little repetition won’t hurt anybody. Adhering to a focused plan of study should properly arm us when exams throw themselves with full force in the form of finals. Remember to eat, stay fit, and keep on truckin’.
