The end of the semester is a stressful time for all college students, but even more so for those who may find themselves in academic “hot water.” Maybe you skipped a few too many lectures, or perhaps you didn’t properly prepare for an important test. Suddenly the thought of studying for final exams leaves you overwhelmed with anxiety.
With just about a month before finals, there is still time to improve your academic standing and avoid or lessen the stress of desperately trying to improve your grades.
For starters, assess your status in each of your classes so you can create an effective strategy for improvement. Meet with each of your instructors as soon as possible, and ask him/her for honest feedback about where you stand in the class and what opportunities exist for improvement through the end of the term. Though you can access some of your course grades online through Desire2Learn (D2L), by meeting with your instructors one-on-one you will also be able to ask for clarification about major course concepts or the format of upcoming exams.
Start studying immediately! Study tips:
-
Begin by going through your class notes. If you don’t have these, ask a classmate to borrow his/hers.
-
Get interactive with your notes: use highlighters, tabs, and underlining to emphasize important topics, vocabulary or concepts.
-
Take short breaks during a long study session. This will give you a chance to process what you’re learning and refresh you for resuming your studying.
-
Make your own flashcards, and consider reviewing them with a classmate. The more frequently you see course material the more likely you are to remember it.
-
Take into account what kind of learner you are: if you are a visual learner, consider drawing diagrams that are based on course lectures.
-
Ask classmates to join you in a study group. A study group is convenient because each member brings his/her own strengths to contribute. Though you might not have the best grasp on one topic, it’s possible that you’ll be able to share your expertise in another topic area.
Finally, take advantage of the numerous academic support offices available on campus. Your academic advisor is a great resource. He or she can assess your degree status, counsel you on your academic options and direct you to resources—both personal and academic—that can help you successfully navigate the end of the semester.
Click here for more information about academic advising.
Click here to learn about academic support resources.
Click here for information about stress management and general health and wellness resources.
