Stressing Over Finals? 5 Study Tips from an Award-winning Expert

Are you staring down a mountain of notes, books and videos with a final just days away? Pulse starting to race? Panic creeping in? Take a deep breath and pull up a chair.

We asked Elizabeth Morse Luoma, Ph.D., director of the Center for Teaching & Learning (CTL) at Sacred Heart University, for some strategies to feel confident and prepared for end-of-the-semester exams and presentations. Luoma, winner of a 2022 scholarship from the Professional and Organizational Development Network in Higher Education, shares how you can set yourself up for success.

Don’t cram

Research shows we better retain information when we learn over time. Consider breaking your studying into manageable chunks rather than a huge marathon session.

Find a friend

Studying with someone else encourages active learning, which helps you remember information better than passively re-reading your notes or rewatching videos. Quiz each other, make flashcards together, talk through problems and scenarios – you might even have fun!

Take a break

Go for a walk, meditate, listen to music, grab a coffee or tea, or try another short activity for 5-10 minutes to reset your thinking. You might try checking out the Pomodoro technique to improve focus and help with procrastination.

Sleep

We focus better when we’re well-rested. Take that nap or hit that earlier bedtime to enhance your attention and memory.

Get help!

Faculty, staff and tutors are here to support our students at SHU. Request a tutoring appointment or a meeting with a student success coordinator. Just be sure not to wait until the last minute! You want to give yourself enough time to apply and review what you learn before the final.  

Want more information or advice? See all the programming and resources the Center for Teaching & Learning has to offer.