I hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving break! I had a great time flying back home and seeing my family, friends, and pet cat. I missed him a lot.
Enjoying Thanksgiving lunch with my family
Hotpot with best friends from back home
Now that we’re back on campus, there are only a few weeks left in the semester. This means back-to-back tests in these next couple weeks for me, which has honestly been challenging. I am not the best studier or test taker and have had my share of procrastination. But as I prepare for these upcoming tests, I want to share some study tips that have worked for me over the years!
My first tip: Before you begin studying for a test, identify what kind of studier you are. For example, I know that I personally focus the best when I study by myself. Working on problems with classmates is great, and I recommend it; I used to study for math tests last fall with my friend, and we would write out lengthy problems on the Science Center whiteboard walls. But, I like to do the bulk of my studying on my own because I know I can get easily distracted with other people. Starting off your studying process by recognizing these facts about yourself will save you immense time.
Secondly: Find one song to listen to on loop and lock in. I like to find one song and put it on loop while I study. The song you choose is crucial: I try to avoid listening to an upbeat song with lyrics. I prefer slower songs or instrumental soundtracks, like a song from a Studio Ghibli movie. Listening to one song on loop is useful for me because the song fades into the background and I focus on studying without thinking about what song will play next.
Third: Try the Pomodoro Technique. This study method has not always been successful for me, but I still want to recommend it because it can work for others. The Pomodoro Technique is studying in twenty-five minute intervals and taking five-minute breaks between each interval. There are many websites and YouTube videos with Pomodoro clocks. I recommend the website Pomofocus, it has a checklist where you can enter your tasks you’re working on.
Fourth: No phones! I am a total screenager, and this is difficult, but I leave my phone in my dorm room while I study in the dining hall or common room. If you think you’ll be distracted on your laptop, there are Google Chrome extensions that can block specific websites for you.
Fifth: Go to office hours to ask questions about material you’re confused about as you study. Yes, going to office hours scares me sometimes often. But, the professor will see that you are making an effort to learn and perform well on the test.
Finally and maybe my most important tip: Review throughout the semester. This is something I am actively working on and struggling with, but I really want to share it. After every class, review your notes or your professor’s lecture notes. This is actively studying throughout the semester.
There are many awesome study resources at Wellesley, like Academic Success Coaches (ASCs). An ASC at Wellesley is a student in each dorm that is an academic peer coach. They can help students develop study plans, plan coursework, and manage time. Visit ASCs!
Studying is hard, and I am actively working on and trying to improve these skills I’ve listed. Remember to be kind to yourself as you study, and thank you for reading! Check out Anna’s blog post this week too for more tips on studying and getting through finals season.