6 answers
Ali
Student
2
Questions
Updated
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Can you help me study more efficiently?
I've noticed that I tend to receive lower grades on my math and English Language Arts (ELA) finals than I expect. While I usually score high on quizzes and tests, often earning A's and occasionally B's, I generally understand the material and concepts well. However, on the finals, I typically get B's when I had hoped to achieve at least an A-. I suspect the issue arises from my study habits; I usually only study a few days before the finals and often resort to cramming, which causes me to miss some important concepts. Therefore, I am seeking effective study methods to improve my academic performance. I plan to start studying two weeks before each final, but I'm wondering if that will be enough.
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6 answers
romina nallar madrid
1
Answer
Updated
romina’s Answer
Según mi experiencia, el resultado que obtienes en una evaluación depende 60% del estudio, y 40% corresponde a técnicas para no fallar a causa de distractores (en alternativas), avanzar sin quedarte en una pregunta que no sabes o estás confundido, y consecuencia de esto es tener tiempo suficiente para revisar toda la prueba y volver a esas preguntas que te complicaron al inicio.
Mi consejo es: no insistas en preguntas que no estás resolviendo, pierdes tiempo y ganas estrés, ambos te quitan probabilidades de tener una nota sobresaliente. Utiliza pruebas de internet para estudiar, esto también es muy útil.
Mi consejo es: no insistas en preguntas que no estás resolviendo, pierdes tiempo y ganas estrés, ambos te quitan probabilidades de tener una nota sobresaliente. Utiliza pruebas de internet para estudiar, esto también es muy útil.
Gracias por tu respuesta. :)
Ali
Kayla Jakes
Teacher Assistant
3
Answers
Minnesota, Minnesota
Updated
Kayla’s Answer
Hi Ali,
I always had a hard time with studying habits and it took trying out a few strategies to find one that worked well for me.
The starting point would be to make sure you have notes on all definitions, topics, etc. Make sure your notes are clear and well-organized. Something that has worked well for me is color coding. With color coding, I would study and then when it came to the test and a question came up that was on my study guide/note sheet, I would visually remember what color I had written it in and be able to get the answer right. So that is something I would suggest for you to try out!
As far as finding enough time to study in advance, I think that 2 weeks prior to a test is a good start! The first week can be making sure you have all your notes organized, color coded, and maybe even getting together with other classmates to study. The second week can be where you really get a study schedule going. Let's say you have a 4 hour window free to study and get other homework assignments done. What I would do is set a timer to study for 45 minutes, take a 5 minute break, then work on another assignment for 30 minutes, take a 10 minute break, then study again for another 45 minutes, take a 15 minute break to go on a quick walk or step outside for fresh air, study for another 45 minutes, take a 5 minute break, go back to studying but this time write down anything you feel you are missing in your notes for 30 minutes or things that you don't feel as confident in, and the last 10 minutes can be used however you feel necessary whether you want to review something for 10 minutes or if you want to be done for the time frame. I feel like having a study schedule and setting a timer is what was really beneficial for me. I didn't sit and cram for 4 hours straight, but I would do chunks of time to study and little breaks to give my brain a second to recoup and refocus.
You are so close to getting your goal of an A on the exams, good luck and I hope you do well!
I always had a hard time with studying habits and it took trying out a few strategies to find one that worked well for me.
The starting point would be to make sure you have notes on all definitions, topics, etc. Make sure your notes are clear and well-organized. Something that has worked well for me is color coding. With color coding, I would study and then when it came to the test and a question came up that was on my study guide/note sheet, I would visually remember what color I had written it in and be able to get the answer right. So that is something I would suggest for you to try out!
As far as finding enough time to study in advance, I think that 2 weeks prior to a test is a good start! The first week can be making sure you have all your notes organized, color coded, and maybe even getting together with other classmates to study. The second week can be where you really get a study schedule going. Let's say you have a 4 hour window free to study and get other homework assignments done. What I would do is set a timer to study for 45 minutes, take a 5 minute break, then work on another assignment for 30 minutes, take a 10 minute break, then study again for another 45 minutes, take a 15 minute break to go on a quick walk or step outside for fresh air, study for another 45 minutes, take a 5 minute break, go back to studying but this time write down anything you feel you are missing in your notes for 30 minutes or things that you don't feel as confident in, and the last 10 minutes can be used however you feel necessary whether you want to review something for 10 minutes or if you want to be done for the time frame. I feel like having a study schedule and setting a timer is what was really beneficial for me. I didn't sit and cram for 4 hours straight, but I would do chunks of time to study and little breaks to give my brain a second to recoup and refocus.
You are so close to getting your goal of an A on the exams, good luck and I hope you do well!
Thanks, can't wait to put this advice into action!
Ali
Stephanie Smith
Accountant
16
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Stephanie’s Answer
Yes, starting two weeks early is a great idea — it gives you time to review steadily instead of cramming. To study more efficiently, break your study time into short daily sessions (30–45 minutes per subject) with specific goals, like reviewing one unit or practicing certain types of problems. Use active methods like teaching the material out loud, using flashcards, or doing practice tests, especially for math. For ELA, focus on writing practice, analyzing sample texts, and reviewing feedback from past essays. Also, try spacing out your review and revisiting tough concepts more often — this strengthens memory and reduces last-minute stress.
Thank you so much for the advice.
Ali
Pranay Nath
Tutor
5
Answers
Sunnyvale, California
Updated
Pranay’s Answer
Yes, I can definitely help you study more efficiently!
First, it’s good that you already perform well on regular quizzes and tests — that means you understand the content. Finals, however, are a different challenge. They test not just what you’ve recently learned, but how well you’ve retained and connected everything across the term. That’s why last-minute cramming doesn’t work well — even when you know the material.
Starting two weeks before the finals is a smart step in the right direction — and yes, it’s enough if you use the time wisely. Here's what I recommend:
A Smarter 2-Week Study Plan
1. Break It Down by Topic (Days 1–4):
Spend the first few days reviewing old quizzes and notes. Create a list of topics you’ve learned and mark the ones you struggle with.
2. Practice with Intention (Days 5–10):
Focus on doing practice problems — not just re-reading notes. Use past finals, mock exams, or online platforms (like Khan Academy or IXL) to quiz yourself. Prioritize math problem sets and ELA sample prompts or passages.
3. Review + Re-Test Yourself (Days 11–12):
Take a full-length timed mock final for each subject. Simulate exam conditions to reduce test anxiety and improve stamina.
4. Final Fixes (Days 13–14):
Spend the last two days reviewing the mistakes from your practice exams. Focus only on weak spots — this is where you’ll gain the most improvement.
First, it’s good that you already perform well on regular quizzes and tests — that means you understand the content. Finals, however, are a different challenge. They test not just what you’ve recently learned, but how well you’ve retained and connected everything across the term. That’s why last-minute cramming doesn’t work well — even when you know the material.
Starting two weeks before the finals is a smart step in the right direction — and yes, it’s enough if you use the time wisely. Here's what I recommend:
A Smarter 2-Week Study Plan
1. Break It Down by Topic (Days 1–4):
Spend the first few days reviewing old quizzes and notes. Create a list of topics you’ve learned and mark the ones you struggle with.
2. Practice with Intention (Days 5–10):
Focus on doing practice problems — not just re-reading notes. Use past finals, mock exams, or online platforms (like Khan Academy or IXL) to quiz yourself. Prioritize math problem sets and ELA sample prompts or passages.
3. Review + Re-Test Yourself (Days 11–12):
Take a full-length timed mock final for each subject. Simulate exam conditions to reduce test anxiety and improve stamina.
4. Final Fixes (Days 13–14):
Spend the last two days reviewing the mistakes from your practice exams. Focus only on weak spots — this is where you’ll gain the most improvement.
I appreciate your support, Pranay
Ali
Karin P.
Lecturer, Academic Advisor, Career Coach
727
Answers
Göttingen, Lower Saxony, Germany
Updated
Karin’s Answer
Hi Ali,
Studying is highly individual. You need to find out what works for you. Some people e.g. prefer doing short sessions followed by a break. Other people have a hard time getting started, but once they are at it they enjoy it and don't want to break the concentration.
Having said that, cramming doesn't give you a good grasp of the material (and it doesn't last). It might be enough for a shorter and easier test or quiz, but it fails if you try to cram for a final. Try to study continuously during the semester and practice so you only have to brush up before an exam.
Focus on understanding the concepts rather than just memorizing. Finals tend to probe understanding while tests and quizzes are just a quick check-in. Practice on plenty of problem sets (for math and science).
Language is a bit more tricky. Always learn your vocabulary, obviously. Read a lot to improve your comprehension and vocabulary. Find a YouTube channel that discusses books to help with literature interpretation. There are also language/literature groups on Bluesky or other social media sites.
Find someone for a study group. You learn best when you have to teach a concept to someone else. A study group or a study buddy also gives you a fixed study schedule. And you'll find out that different people understand different aspects of the material. You can explain stuff to each other and clear up misconceptions. When you can't figure in out in the group, you can ask your teacher for clarification.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
Studying is highly individual. You need to find out what works for you. Some people e.g. prefer doing short sessions followed by a break. Other people have a hard time getting started, but once they are at it they enjoy it and don't want to break the concentration.
Having said that, cramming doesn't give you a good grasp of the material (and it doesn't last). It might be enough for a shorter and easier test or quiz, but it fails if you try to cram for a final. Try to study continuously during the semester and practice so you only have to brush up before an exam.
Focus on understanding the concepts rather than just memorizing. Finals tend to probe understanding while tests and quizzes are just a quick check-in. Practice on plenty of problem sets (for math and science).
Language is a bit more tricky. Always learn your vocabulary, obviously. Read a lot to improve your comprehension and vocabulary. Find a YouTube channel that discusses books to help with literature interpretation. There are also language/literature groups on Bluesky or other social media sites.
Find someone for a study group. You learn best when you have to teach a concept to someone else. A study group or a study buddy also gives you a fixed study schedule. And you'll find out that different people understand different aspects of the material. You can explain stuff to each other and clear up misconceptions. When you can't figure in out in the group, you can ask your teacher for clarification.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
Michael Torio
Consultant - Data Reporting & Analysis (HQ Finance)
422
Answers
Alpharetta, Georgia
Updated
Michael’s Answer
Hi Ali:
Quizzes and tests are snip-its of the course material at periodic intervals. The final exams are a cumulation of the entire semester course material. More time is needed when preparing for a final exam by bringing everything together at one moment. Two weeks of dedicated and disciplined studying should be sufficient preparation for a final exam.
When preparing for a final exam, start reviewing the most recent quiz or test and work backwards to the beginning of the semester. The material for the most recent quiz or test is still fresh in your mind and easier to remember. It is the material from the quiz or test of the beginning of the course that will take time to remember and to prepare for.
After a quiz or a test, it should be reviewed to fully understand the questions that were answered correctly and incorrectly. Do you write down notes for those questions that were missed? This method will help you to better understand why the question was not correctly answered.
At the beginning of a class/course, I would take the syllabus and map out the dates, times and deadlines of assignments, exams, presentations, etc. on my personal calendar and set calendar reminders. As soon as the map is laid out, I would immediately start on the assignments even if the deadlines may be days or weeks away. This helps to provide a buffer and allows more time to compensate if unexpected events occur.
A dedicated workspace or study area is set aside and free of distractions. My particular study area would be a private room in the library. The cellphone would be put in "Do Not Disturb" mode for the duration of my study period. Focus, discipline and determination are the keys in order accomplish the study session goals.
Note cards, post-it-notes, etc. are utilized to write down important information. This method helped me to retain the information being studied. Periodically, breaks would be needed in order to refresh my mind and re-focus on the task at hand. Coming from a momentary break, I would review the materials already done from the previous session and then move forward.
Here are some helpful recommendations for staying on top of responsibilities, retaining difficult information, time management and preventing being overworked and burnout:
- Form a study group with classmates ... set a study agenda with them to accomplish certain goals by certain dates and times ... ask your classmates what best study practices that they do and help each other study challenging concepts, questions, etc.
- Use a white board with an eraser and erasable markers to write down concepts, theories, formulas, etc.. The white board can be used over and over again and save on paper.
- Utilize flash cards where the question is on the front and the answer is on the back. This helps to memorize the information.
- Outline the course material to be learned ... it's like drawing an information map. Each section of an exam will focus on a specific concept, theory, formula, etc.
- Get help and advice from professors or teachers as well as other classmates for best studying practices ... ask them for help to make yourself more accountable to your studies and to you.
Here are other recommendations when studying and avoiding burnout:
- Get to bed early to ensure you are getting enough rest and sleep to be refreshed for the next day ... at least 7-8 hours per night
- Make it a point to get some form of exercise per day ... stretching, going for a walk and getting some sunshine, go to the gym, go running, etc. in order to build up your energy levels
- Instead of candy and chips ... switch to an apple, a banana, a salad. etc. to fuel your energy levels ... too much sugar and fatty foods will make you sluggish and sleepy.
- Find a study area that does not have a television or video games nearby ... go to the library where you can focus on the task(s) at hand
- Put your cellphone facedown and turn on the Do Not Disturb option ... set your text options to reply "Busy studying and will contact you later, Thanks!"
- Create a digital calendar or purchase a calendar from Staples, Office Depot, etc. ... write down goals daily, weekly and monthly on what study items that you need to accomplish by what date and time ... share your calendar with your teachers and your study group of classmates to ensure to remain on track for your study goals
- Reward yourself after accomplishing a study goal ... take a break, go for a walk, eat a healthy snack, call a friend, etc.
- Visualize yourself accomplishing each and every study goal ... create a goal record to track your progress
- Keep Positive and focus on the things that mean the most to you ... you, family, friends, etc.
- Reflect on your past accomplishments to help motivate you to accomplish your future goals
- Read a book, take up a hobby like gardening, playing a musical instrument, volunteer work at a church or charity, etc.
- Remember to take care of and be good to yourself ... there is only one of you ... special, unique and extraordinary
All of the mentioned above is about balancing priorities, pacing oneself and being good to oneself.
Hope this helps and good luck with your tests, quizzes and final exams as well as your education!
Quizzes and tests are snip-its of the course material at periodic intervals. The final exams are a cumulation of the entire semester course material. More time is needed when preparing for a final exam by bringing everything together at one moment. Two weeks of dedicated and disciplined studying should be sufficient preparation for a final exam.
When preparing for a final exam, start reviewing the most recent quiz or test and work backwards to the beginning of the semester. The material for the most recent quiz or test is still fresh in your mind and easier to remember. It is the material from the quiz or test of the beginning of the course that will take time to remember and to prepare for.
After a quiz or a test, it should be reviewed to fully understand the questions that were answered correctly and incorrectly. Do you write down notes for those questions that were missed? This method will help you to better understand why the question was not correctly answered.
At the beginning of a class/course, I would take the syllabus and map out the dates, times and deadlines of assignments, exams, presentations, etc. on my personal calendar and set calendar reminders. As soon as the map is laid out, I would immediately start on the assignments even if the deadlines may be days or weeks away. This helps to provide a buffer and allows more time to compensate if unexpected events occur.
A dedicated workspace or study area is set aside and free of distractions. My particular study area would be a private room in the library. The cellphone would be put in "Do Not Disturb" mode for the duration of my study period. Focus, discipline and determination are the keys in order accomplish the study session goals.
Note cards, post-it-notes, etc. are utilized to write down important information. This method helped me to retain the information being studied. Periodically, breaks would be needed in order to refresh my mind and re-focus on the task at hand. Coming from a momentary break, I would review the materials already done from the previous session and then move forward.
Here are some helpful recommendations for staying on top of responsibilities, retaining difficult information, time management and preventing being overworked and burnout:
- Form a study group with classmates ... set a study agenda with them to accomplish certain goals by certain dates and times ... ask your classmates what best study practices that they do and help each other study challenging concepts, questions, etc.
- Use a white board with an eraser and erasable markers to write down concepts, theories, formulas, etc.. The white board can be used over and over again and save on paper.
- Utilize flash cards where the question is on the front and the answer is on the back. This helps to memorize the information.
- Outline the course material to be learned ... it's like drawing an information map. Each section of an exam will focus on a specific concept, theory, formula, etc.
- Get help and advice from professors or teachers as well as other classmates for best studying practices ... ask them for help to make yourself more accountable to your studies and to you.
Here are other recommendations when studying and avoiding burnout:
- Get to bed early to ensure you are getting enough rest and sleep to be refreshed for the next day ... at least 7-8 hours per night
- Make it a point to get some form of exercise per day ... stretching, going for a walk and getting some sunshine, go to the gym, go running, etc. in order to build up your energy levels
- Instead of candy and chips ... switch to an apple, a banana, a salad. etc. to fuel your energy levels ... too much sugar and fatty foods will make you sluggish and sleepy.
- Find a study area that does not have a television or video games nearby ... go to the library where you can focus on the task(s) at hand
- Put your cellphone facedown and turn on the Do Not Disturb option ... set your text options to reply "Busy studying and will contact you later, Thanks!"
- Create a digital calendar or purchase a calendar from Staples, Office Depot, etc. ... write down goals daily, weekly and monthly on what study items that you need to accomplish by what date and time ... share your calendar with your teachers and your study group of classmates to ensure to remain on track for your study goals
- Reward yourself after accomplishing a study goal ... take a break, go for a walk, eat a healthy snack, call a friend, etc.
- Visualize yourself accomplishing each and every study goal ... create a goal record to track your progress
- Keep Positive and focus on the things that mean the most to you ... you, family, friends, etc.
- Reflect on your past accomplishments to help motivate you to accomplish your future goals
- Read a book, take up a hobby like gardening, playing a musical instrument, volunteer work at a church or charity, etc.
- Remember to take care of and be good to yourself ... there is only one of you ... special, unique and extraordinary
All of the mentioned above is about balancing priorities, pacing oneself and being good to oneself.
Hope this helps and good luck with your tests, quizzes and final exams as well as your education!
Thank you very much for your well-thought-out advice; I will consider it and take action.
Ali