Finals Season

“Do your best on your exams, make sure you’re at your best, and draw on all your knowledge.” Stúdentablaðið/Unsplash

Article by Kristjana Mjöll Sigurðardóttir, Academic and Career Counselor at the University of Iceland

Translation: Katrín le Roux Viðarsdóttir

So, final exams are just around the corner, right? How are you doing right now, dear student? Do you want some tips from us at the University of Iceland Student Counselling and Career Centre (UISCCC) to help you keep a cool head in the season ahead? If so, please keep reading.

The period up ahead will be demanding, so the most important thing for you, dear student, is to have control over the situation at hand and don’t let any surprises throw you off track. One good way to maintain control is to prioritize upcoming projects, be organized, and have an overview over reading, nutrition, sleep, exercise and other things that matter during finals. Have you been reviewing your course material throughout the semester? If not, you should do so next semester. Reviewing regularly helps solidify the reading material in your mind and increases your understanding. Hopefully you have a clear view of the course criteria and objectives; that will help you study better. What has been emphasized? What would you ask about if you were the professor? What is it that you already know and what is that you need to focus on more? Deepen your thoughts, think critically, and draw conclusions as you read; it will be worth it.

It is very important that your exam day is well organized. When you’re at your best, you’ll have an easier time recalling what you know and putting it into words at the critical moment. You will better understand what is being asked, spot what matters most, and utilize the adrenaline (stress) you feel during finals. Have faith in your abilities; it will decrease your stress level and unnecessary tension. A stressed-out, sleep-deprived,  undernourished, or even clueless student will probably receive a lower score than a well-balanced student. Don’t live off of energy drinks and trust that they will get you through finals season. Isn’t it better to have a hot chocolate with whipped cream and even some gingerbread cookies, at least every once in a while? It is December, after all, and Christmas is just around the corner.

Erase all doubts in your mind that could be bothering you so you can focus on your reading. For example, you need to know where your exams will be held. It is also important to know if you will be sitting a multiple choice exam or an essay exam, and if you will lose points for wrong answers. Old exams are a great resource. You can check them out to try and get a sense of what might be on your exam, but don’t memorize old exams by heart and assume that will be enough to prepare you. If you’re supposed to give a short answer, do so; don’t ramble. In other words, read the instructions. Another tip for students is to keep track of time so you don’t end up in a time crunch. It’s a good idea to look at how the questions are weighted and try not to spend too much time on questions that aren’t worth very many points.

Exams are the most common way to evaluate students, and that’s why there’s a chance that they can take control of students’ lives, that students will see their grades as the be-all and end-all and judge themselves and others according to grades. Dear student, don’t fall into this trap. Grades are not a measure of intelligence but a measure of how you perform on an exam at a certain time. Do your best on your exams, make sure you’re at your best, and draw on all your knowledge. The best outcome, of course, is reaping what you sowed. And then you can enjoy the holidays after finals season!

You are always welcome to talk to a counsellor at the UISCCC. Don’t be a stranger.