(Author’s note, this article is a rewrite from a midterm feature posted earlier this year, with some additional tips and tricks, enjoy! ⭐️ )

Dear Lucky,

Next month is my first final ever! I’m super nervous, what should I do?

Sincerely,

Fatigued Freshman 

Dear Fatigued Freshman,

1. Break down your studying into several days. Studies show that students who review material every night in little chunks do much better on assessments than people who cram study the night before. With that, if you have trouble paying attention while studying, break up your studying into smaller chunks. Try 30 minutes of study with a 5 minute break between study blocks. 

2. While studying, put your phone somewhere far away from you! If you’re studying using your iPad or another device, shut notifications off. According to a University of California study, “it takes an average of 23 minutes and 15 seconds to get back to the task”(Lastoe).. that’s a long time! Avoid the focus loss with Do Not Disturb and other features. 

3. Start a study group with friends! Group discussion of notes has always helped me study better. Get creative with it! Quiz your friends like you’re on Jeopardy, or make practice tests for your group! 

4. Meaning matters. If you want to remember something, it’s helpful to relate it to yourself in some way. Try mnemonics in your study notes; such as PEMDAS, every good boy eats fudge, the 50 nifty states song, etcetera! 

5. Chunking helps: organize your notes into familiar and manageable units. Break your notes into charts, tables, bullet points, and more! Separating groups of information helps avoid fatigue while viewing it.

6. Take care of your body! Sleep loss heavily affects your studying ability, making it hard to focus and concentrate. If you are still struggling to focus with a good night’s rest, lock your phone and get some fresh air outside. The break will reset your thoughts, and help you get back on track.

Good luck, and happy Studying!

Regards,

Lucky 🍀 

Works Cited

Lastoe, Stacey. “It Takes 23 Minutes to Focus after a Distraction.” The Muse, 19 June 2020, www.themuse.com/advice/this-is-nuts-it-takes-nearly-30-minutes-to-refocus-after-you-get-distracted#:~:text=But%20taking%20much%2Dneeded%20and,get%20back%20to%20the%20task.%E2%80%9D. 

“Top 10 Study Skills.” University of Lynchburg, www.lynchburg.edu/academics/tutoring-and-academic-support/top-10-study-skills/. Accessed 18 May 2023.