Finals week at Stevenson begins Dec. 9 and ends Dec. 15. With finals swiftly arriving, students are often overwhelmed by the number of tests, extracurricular activities, as well as other reasons for concern that require their attention. Here are a few tips students might benefit from as examinations begin:

1. Create a study guide

According to fastweb.com, creating one’s own study guide not only provides an organized way to look at the material, but increases memory and retention of the actual material meant to be studying. “Outlining the important information you need to learn can be helpful, both in creation and to refer to during your studies,” according to fastweb.com.

2. Stay well-rested

Often students stay up in order to study the material, but retention of material actually becomes weaker when exhaustion sets in, according to USA Today’s article, “25 crucial study tips for finals week.” Having the energy to take the test is just as important as studying for  it; otherwise the studying will have all been for naught.

3. Study in groups

Forming a study group is beneficial both for morale and learning. Other group members may have perspectives on certain pieces of the material that hadn’t previously been considered. It can also be more motivating to study when there are others willing to spend the time to do so cooperatively.

4. Check the front of your textbook to see if the publisher provides any online study aids

Textbooks are getting increasingly expensive, and often come with more than students know. Whether it’s an e-book or a rental service, some textbooks provide online study aids about the subject along with the purchase of the book.

5. Attend the review session

While not all professors offer one, attending a review session prior to an exam is a quintessential study strategy that will not only assist in preparation for the test, but be a good review for material that may have been missed.

6. Take breaks

Taking short breaks while studying allows the brain to have time to absorb the material. Analyzing too much study material for too long will result in less retention and defeat the purpose.

7. Double-check the exam schedule dates and times

Sometimes professors will either change their times or offer differing times to take the exam. The exam very rarely falls on the same day, place and time that the class it is for meets, so be sure to double-check. Grab a buddy and make sure you both head to the exam place on time.

8. Read, write, and say the material

According to the Princeton Review, the specific method of reading, writing and speaking the material aloud assists with retention. “Go through your notes and pull out the key points by reading them, re-writing them, then saying them out loud. This method really helps some students commit facts to memory,” the Review said.

The fall semester officially ends Dec. 15, so until then all of Stevenson will be providing for and accommodating students in different ways including enforcing 24/7 quiet hours in the residence halls and apartments.