Study Smarter, Not Harder for Final Exams
For most students at UC Berkeley, the week before finals means only one thing: pulling all-nighters in the depths of Main Stacks. It’s called Reading, Review, and Recitation week (or RRR week), and it’s an all-too-common experience for students to become more stressed during what’s supposed to be a week of downtime to prepare for exams. So, your fellow students want to share some advice on how to level up your study game. Read on to discover the tips they have to share; you’ve got this, Golden Bear!
Practice Makes Perfect
Edwin, who’s been a Graduate Student Instructor and Teaching Assistant for data science classes for the past two years, emphasizes the importance of consistency.
“There’s a correlation between time spent studying and performing well on exams. That’s why practice exams, reading the textbook, and dedicated study sessions will boost your chances for success on the final exam,” he says. “The more you dive into the course material, the better you’ll be at recalling and connecting ideas.”
Edwin, wishing you good luck on your exams.
He also shares a trick to test your understanding of course concepts: “Explain a complex concept as if you were teaching it to a five-year-old. If I can’t break it down simply, it means I need a bit more clarity myself!”
Edwin also has an important reminder for everyone hitting the books. “Remember, just like time is limited, so is your capacity to keep pushing without a break. Make sure to get enough rest, and don’t forget to take a breather outdoors. Personally, I love heading out for a run or bike ride by the Berkeley Marina to recharge. Find your balance, keep at it, and best of luck on the final!”
Shake Things Up
When studying for long periods of time, it’s important that you get up and stretch, do something relaxing, and change your surroundings every so often.
“Make time for doing things that help you de-stress! Baking is something I find very therapeutic and can help me take my mind off of my never-ending to-do list amidst RRR week, even if it’s just for 30 minutes. This also saves me time and money when I crave a sweet treat because I’ll just pack it with me as a study snack and I can also share it with my friends.” —Margaret Fan, Class of 2027, majoring in cognitive science
Margaret’s delicious cinnamon treats!
Anusha, a Chemical Engineering student, also recommends: “Switch up study environments when you’re working on different subjects or feeling too lazy to get work done! The new location will give you a fresh start.” —Anusha Sainarayanan, Class of 2027, majoring in chemical engineering
Eyes on the Clock
Prioritize tasks so you spend your time in a way that’s most useful to you. Consider setting timers or making a schedule to help keep yourself on track.
“From working on the Computer Science Mentors team, I’ve seen that sometimes students spend too long focusing on content review and not enough time actually doing practice questions. Knowing how to work through a problem will help you do better on the exam.” —Anika Edara, Class of 2027, majoring in cognitive science
Anika studying at the Jean Gray Hargrove Music Library.
If you want more ideas for study hacks, our Instagram team also shared some useful tips during midterm season.
🚨ATTENTION UC BERKELEY STUDENTS🚨It’s time to become academic weapons!! 📖🙇Midterms have arrived which means you need to get into the study mode. Here are some study tips to help you get that 4.0 this semester! 💪😮💨📚🧠
Share your best tips in the comments!
#ucberkeley #ucberkeleylife #berkeley #collegelife #campuslife #collegestudent #studygram
Happy Studying!
Finals can be a source of stress for many students, but don’t forget that they’re essentially for you to show off the knowledge you’ve gained over the course of the semester. Study hard, but make sure to give yourself some grace if you need a break. Go Bears!
Reva Gokhale, Class of 2027, is majoring in society and environment.
Want More?
- Discover new places to study by doing a library crawl.
- Dive into ways you can use office hours.
- Learn about how to optimize your studying.