Study Tips For Exams: 12 Ways To Ace Your Finals

As finals approach, it can be difficult to remember that the stress, sleeplessness and brain drain shall pass (and, for that matter, so will you). But there are also myriad ways to make the next few weeks more bearable -- and to ensure that you make the grade. Below, check out 12 study tips that will ease the final countdown, and maybe even help you boost your GPA.

Do you have any finals horror stories? E-mail [e-mail] for a chance to share your story with HuffPost readers! And feel free to share your finals tips in the comments section.

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Study In Chunks

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Although it's tempting (and sometimes inevitable) cramming really isn't the best way to study. According to the Dartmouth Academic Skills Center, you should study in 20-50 minute increments and give yourself a 5 to 10 minute break between each session. For best results, study throughout one full week.

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Although it's tempting (and sometimes inevitable) cramming really isn't the best way to study. According to the Dartmouth Academic Skills Center, you should study in 20-50 minute increments and give yourself a 5 to 10 minute break between each session. For best results, study throughout one full week.

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Comments

[WaterCloset]

02:25 AM on 12/13/2010

I can't study at home or in my room, even if there is no one at home to distract me. I would end up doing laundry, fix the toilet, or do find something to do to avoid studying. In order to prevent this, I usually would go to the library or find an empty class room to study. The school library can be a distraction because I would also run into my friends and we would chat for hours. So, I prefer the public library for some quiet study time.

[BluesDogLefty]

05:26 PM on 12/10/2010

I am a university professor and I have seen many great students implode:

1) get at least 8 hours sleep all semester (always)
2) have healthy eating habits
3) go very easy on the caffeine
4) get a little exercise every day

And---approach being a student as a 40-50 hour a week job--all semester. Many students slack for the first half--or more--of the semester and then try to put in 100 hour work week at the end---not possible.

[usfcomstudent]

02:32 PM on 12/09/2010

When studying for my finals and even midterm exams, i normally create myself my own examination papers, as if, those sample exams were the real exam. I anticipate questions my professors might ask in the exam. To create, i would get a piece of typewriting paper, fold them in half (length wise), put and number the questions at front; and the answers for the particular numbered questions at the back of the paper (in that way i could go back and forth to see the answers and ask my self again with the questions) Also, ask someone to ask you those questions for you. It would be easier for them to follow because the answers are all on the
paper. Its fun.Try this style it might help you, instead of the traditional q-cards.

[Chi--townfool]

12:31 PM on 12/08/2010

Number 13: Smoke a fat blunt

[rougebaisers]

07:16 AM on 12/08/2010

Just WHAT has that guy in the photo been up to? Hmmmmmm?

[palindrom]

04:24 PM on 12/05/2010

The last thing on the list ("make it interesting") is just about the most important in some ways. Even if you find a subject dull, try to _cultivate_ an interest in it, so that you actually do want to learn it -- ideally, to master it. Your mind works so much better when you're not continually listening to a little voice that says "this is dull, can't I do something else?". Just pretend you're an intellectual and that you're engaged in the material, and before long, you will be.

One useful exercise it to intentionally forget about all the cluttered mechanics of the class -- what the professor wants, what's going to be on the test, and so on -- and ask yourself honestly: "Do I have MASTERY over this subject?" If you can honestly answer "yes", then you will almost certainly do extremely well. And you will be vastly better equipped for the next class, or whatever the next challenge is.

All this takes time, dedication, and focus -- which so many college students have never been asked for. I see many great students where I teach (an elite school), but unfortunately I fear that they're a small minority nationwide.

[REDSTATEREFUGEE]

03:22 PM on 12/05/2010

As I shared with my freshman English classes recently, if you have accomplished these things during the semester, you will do well on my final: Attend class regularly, pay attention ( rather than texting ), take notes, actively participate in class discussions, and, of course, review class printouts and notes prior to the exam. The class slackers had pained expressions on their faces when I mentioned those suggestions.....

[pfods]

04:29 AM on 12/02/2010

how to ace a final.

go to class
take notes
do work early, have your professor look it over before you hand it in if possible
when you study, write out what you're studying

HAVE SOMEONE QUIZ YOU

that's all you have to do. all the "quick tips" to acing finals are bogus.

[Andy Clark]

04:57 PM on 12/04/2010

and go to office hours and any review sessions. good list though!

[healthanalyst]

10:02 PM on 12/06/2010

If you didn't , get a keg, put Animal House on continual play and pack when you sober up.

[The Cause Endures]

12:49 AM on 12/02/2010

You do understand I have a final this Friday, right HP? WHERE THE CRAP WERE YOU WHEN I NEEDED THIS

[TheSardonicAtheist]

09:10 PM on 12/01/2010

Just pay attention and focus. The best advice really is think rationally, don't over do it and also, try not to cram! For me, cramming never worked and i always did worse than expected. Basically, take it one step at a time, study in chunks and don't try to stay up all night, you'll just be tired by the time exams come. Get plenty of rest, and drink quite a bit of Green Tea.

[GSR]

08:07 PM on 12/01/2010

Develop good study and exam skills by year 8 or forgetaboutit. By the way what on earth is that guy doing to himself in the illustration to this article?

[jakesjakes]

07:41 PM on 12/01/2010

You know, this is actually a bit of an insult. Drink Cocoa? What does that do for you other than put you to sleep? How about suggesting taking tons of speed? At least you won't fall asleep and you will be able to concentrate. Or better yet, how about suggesting studying something you actually enjoy so you don't have to read stuff like this?

[healthanalyst]

10:03 PM on 12/06/2010

College stores used to sell NoDoz. And this was on the state university, run by the state university.

[degenerate1991]

04:16 AM on 12/07/2010

They still do, at my school,on campus, and they even take dining hall cards.

[Galong]

06:52 PM on 12/01/2010

Go to school in a different country where the educational standards are much higher, then come back and take the test in the US where everything has been dumbed-down so most people can pass. :-)

[JDReign]

06:14 PM on 12/01/2010

Man those cram sessions I will not miss, Yeah I know, but sometimes I got lazy and distracted.

[ProudToBeVeryLiberal]

05:19 PM on 12/01/2010

I have one way that has worked for me all the time: don't kid yourself, don't waste time, just study.