GETTING READY FOR EXAM WEEK

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For most of you, this is the week that classes end. Exams start as early as Friday and run until just before Christmas. That presents you with three focus areas: (a) closing off the term, (b) preparing for exam week and (c) writing exams. I’ll deal with the first two areas this week and with writing exams next week.

Closing off the term

This is the week to

  • Check online and make sure you have been credited for all of your exams, assignments and projects thus far.
  • Submit any outstanding projects or work unless you have been granted an extension.
  • Make any needed appointments for discussing work that has been handed back later in the term.

Preparing for exam week–admin work

At the same time as you are closing off the term classes and work, you can be preparing for exam week. You can

  • Ask your instructors, “What will be on the exam?”
  • Check for topics that the instructor indicates are important. Also check whether the exam is cumulative, and if so, what weights are placed on each part of the course.
  • Check about the format of the exam: essay, multiple-choice, short answer, open or closed book, online, in class, or proctored site.
  • Review the syllabus and note any changes in the course topics and requirements that may have been made. Check for changes online, as well.
  • Check your exam schedule. Note any conflicts, and call them to the attention of the instructor or the department.
  • Ask for an accommodation for a truly brutal exam schedule. Sometimes if you have three back-to-back finals on the same day, you can be allowed an accommodation–but sometimes you just have to do a triathlon. Know your campus policy here.
  • Make sure arrangements are made for any accommodations you are allowed and that appropriate facilities and equipment are scheduled to be in place.
  • Be prepared for change–new COVID variants, new travel rules, new government policies, and new campus rules can happen very quickly. By now, you likely have the habit of exercising flexibility under stress, even if it’s not the preferred state of existence for any of us.
  • Schedule your exams on your calendar.
  • Block out study times for each exam–this will likely start before the last day of class, depending on how much time you have before the first exam.

Preparing for exam week–study smart

I’ve dealt with studying for exams in earlier blogs, and dealt with techniques that encourage you to

  • Space your study out–especially with STEM courses. It pays to review and practice each day rather than doing eight-hour stints once a week.
  • Take breaks–know your ideal length of focus before you need to stretch for five. The Pomodoro technique works for a lot of students. It also helps prevent the breaks from overtaking the time-on-task time.
  • Make up exam questions from your lecture notes and assigned readings.
  • Have a study buddy or a study group that keeps focus. Sharing each others’ notes and exam questions can help fill in blind spots and problem areas.
  • Recognize anxiety and use the tools that you have found work for you (fresh air, grounding in the moment, exercise . . . .)
  • Maintain connection with your support lines as necessary. This could be a touch-base with your tutor or strategist if time is too short for full sessions.
  • Eat well.
  • Hydrate.
  • Sleep.
  • Endorse for every mental and physical effort made that moves you in the direction you want to be moving. Even if that is just spotting that you got off track for a bit. 

Switching gears

Schedule an activity that marks that last day of class.

Take a breath.

Endorse yourself for staying the course (or for proactively dealing with drop/withdraw decisions).

And next week, on to finals!

Let me know how your end of term is going. I’m booking into next term for consultations, but always find time for a quick touch base. [email protected]

The information in this blog cannot take the place of support from your own mental health professional or community health resources. Reach out to them. And IF YOU ARE IN CRISIS  PLEASE DIAL 911.