Everyone has their own study routine that fits their schedule and needs. However, it can take some time, trial and error, and midterm grades to determine whether your study methods are effective or not. If you find yourself struggling or you would just like some new suggestions for studying, you came to the right place! After my own trial and errors of studying throughout high school and conquering midterm review, I have a few tips that greatly benefit me and hopefully you as well! If you have any study tips or great ideas for study places on campus, please feel free to share it in the comment box! 🙂
1. Don’t turn in to a study chair potato. (See what I did there? Hehe.)
Personally, this is one of my most essential tips for exam success – Don’t sit for hours on end studying to the point that you may have potentially rooted your body to the chair you’re sitting in. Get up and move! Designate a certain amount of time you’d like to study (we’ll discuss this more in tip 4) and incorporate breaks in between study sessions. By break, I don’t mean an hour on YouTube for 15 minutes of studying (It’s ok if you done this, I’m guilty too! I’m just looking out for you!). What I have found works best for me is laying out my study places for the day before I leave my dorm and then incorporate errands or different activities in between moving to a different study place so I get the chance to get more things done and give my brain a break.  For example, I had to go to the Outpost in the S.U.B (Student Union Building), run to University Village, and workout.
Three great ways to spread out study sessions and get my errands done. I started studying in Koerner library (It’s more of a quiet library, which I personally favor), completed my study goal there and then ran to the S.U.B. to run my errands and grab lunch. After, I migrated to an empty class room in Buchanan, completed my study goal once again and then grabbed what I needed at the University Village. Finally, I ended my studying for the day at the Life Sciences building and followed that up with a great work out to relieve my exam stress. It may seem like a lot of running around, but a lot of my study sessions run anywhere from 2-3 hours so I get a lot done and then make time to get some circulation in my legs by taking the time to walk around and get some much needed fresh air. I personally enjoy just listening to music on my walks in between study sessions to clear my mind. So, if you find the same thing beneficial, break in those rain boots! If walking isn’t your thing, at least make some time to get up and move around and give yourself a sufficient brain break. Other great methods are stretching, any form of exercise, or just doing something you find enjoyable for a sufficient amount of time.
2. There’s this thing called sleep. Ever heard of it?
I can’t stress this enough to my night owl friends – GET SOME SLEEP! Sleep definitely factors in to your exam and studying performance so be sure to get an adequate amount each time you study and before your final exams. You will be more alert when you study and will definitely be in a better mood. Don’t turn in to a grumpy cat.
3. It’s caffeine, not cocaine.
In response to not enough sleep, mentioned in tip 2, many people feel that caffeine can compensate for lost sleep. This is one of those scenarios with pros and cons. Caffeine is definitely useful for keeping you alert, so I definitely encourage its use, but don’t feel the need to OD on it! I promise 1 cup of coffee will suffice. Many people can actually build up a caffeine tolerance by frequently consuming caffeine. It’s like anything else – use in in an appropriate portion and it can be more than useful. Caffeine runs also make great study breaks!
4. Hibernation is for bears – Not people.
I’m extremely guilty of studying in my room for days and only leaving when nature calls and I need to shower. In order to accommodate such a bad habit, I’d stock up on food. Don’t let this happen to you! You are a human, not a bear – Don’t go into hibernation mood where you feel the need to eat/stock up on lots of food and stay in one place. Like I stressed in previous tips, 
your body needs exercise, circulation, fresh air, and human interaction. If you do find yourself to be a comfy bedroom bear and this works for you – No worries! Just be sure to stock up on healthy foods that will stimulate your mind rather than junk food that will slow you down.
5. Make a schedule.
We’re all guilty of leaving something to the last minute – Don’t let this happen for your exam studying. Designate different days for different subject review and plan out your study places while you’re at it. Incorporate group study if you can so you can get that awesome human interaction that life seems to be devoid of when everyone goes in to study mode. Also, set realistic goals for yourself – don’t over or under plan your study days. You want to be as stress-free as possible when exam day rolls around so relieve some of that stress by knowing the material ahead of time. The best feeling is walking out of a test feeling like you did well – let yourself experience this instead of post-exam anxiety that comes from feeling unprepared.
6. Find study places that work for you (A TV with the new episode of Gossip Girl or whatever game is on is NOT ideal.)
I personally prefer a silent study area so I know I won’t get distracted by anything going on around me. Now, it seems everyone and their brother is camping out at the library, so this isn’t ideal for silent studiers like me. However, I find that Koerner’s bottom floors are generally much quieter than the Irving library. If you also need silent study areas, I suggest empty class rooms and lecture halls in Buchanan, the Coordinated Programs room (only for 1st years in Coordinated Programs like CAP or CSP; located on the 3rd floor of Irving – completely silent), and designated silent study places in residences. There are a plethora of other nooks and crannies around campus that no one seems to be in, you just have to find the one that’s right for you.  If you like noise when you study, there are plenty of places around campus to accommodate you. The nearest Starbucks, the S.U.B., or the Irving library is generally louder.
I hope you find this helpful! Best of luck to all of you with your exams – Happy studying 🙂