Study Hacks

With winter break just around the corner, we can almost smell the holiday treats that are waiting for us!  While being in the home stretch is an amazing feeling, with that comes the most dreadful time of year- FINALS.  Here are some study hacks that will help you ace your exams:

1.        JAZZ UP YOUR NOTES

This may sound silly, but highlighting/color coding your notes can be all it takes to make studying a little bit easier.  I love to highlight my notes in different colors!  This helps me keep things organized (not to mention it makes my notes prettier).

2.       DON’T WAIT UNTIL THE NIGHT BEFORE TO STUDY

Cramming for a test is one of the worst things you can do!  Even researchers have found that waiting until the night before to study will not benefit you as much- it’s called Cognitive Overload.  Make sure you pace yourself and do a little bit at a time.  The end result will be beautiful!

3.       FIND AN OUTLET

I get it- we are in graduate school; we barely have time to take a break!  But, it is important to give your mind and body a chance to decompress for a little bit each day.  I have found that going to the gym for even just a half hour a day makes all the difference in the world.  After a good workout, I am ready and more focused to pound the pavements with my studying!

4.       MAKE ACRONYMS

This is by far one of my best study hacks this semester.  In my classes, we have lots of definitions thrown at us at once.  It can be a lot to handle!  I’ve learned that by coming up with creative acronyms, the terms stick better in my brain!  And the best part is, they don’t need to make sense!  As long as it helps you remember the information, that’s all that matters.

5.       FORM STUDY GROUPS

Study groups can also be helpful when preparing for an exam.   When you work with your peers, you all bring different bits of information together.  You may not understand a specific concept, but maybe one of your classmates does!  Remember that we are all in this together, so we might as well help each other out.  Team work makes the dream work!

6.       LISTEN TO MUSIC WHEN YOU STUDY

I used to never be able to study with music on in the background (I would usually end up getting distracted and start to sing along to it).  My friend told me to try listening to instrumental music instead, and let me tell you- it is amazing!  I am much more productive with a little bit of tunes in the background now.  Check out Pandora’s instrumental stations and I promise you won’t be disappointed.

Hopefully these tips will make finals not as tough this semester!  Only two weeks left, we got this! 


-Laura :)