With finals quickly approaching, finding the study method that works best for you is crucial for success on your tests. Although much has changed this school year, grades are still important, so The Mirador has you covered with a variety of ways to study. 

1) Written notes

A classic, effective method of studying for finals is taking hand-written notes. Even if you aren’t fully focused on the material you are studying, physically writing down notes ingrains necessary information into your brain. If you are more of a visual learner, you can customize your notes with colorful highlighters and colored markers. “I think that written notes are extremely helpful for finals, specifically highlighting written notes and annotating written notes. I find them helpful because it allows me to process the information better when I write it on paper and also allows me to reread the notes and highlight key points or things to remember,” sophomore Avery Welch said. By using colors to highlight key points and terms, your brain absorbs the vibrant writing and will remember whatever you are studying. 

2) Make a Quizlet study set

Similar to the previous method, making flashcards helps your brain subconsciously memorize what you’re trying to study. Quizlet has a variety of modes such as flashcards, writing exercises, spelling, and a test function that all provide different ways to memorize information. Quizlet, a fan-favorite amongst the Miramonte student body, is super helpful when trying to master different subjects because you can keep quizzing yourself until you fully understand. “I think Quizlet is helpful because online flashcards are a very good memorization tool and anyone can post a Quizlet, so there are study sets for basically any subject,” freshman Aidan Rascher said. Another bonus is that Quizlet’s efficient learning style can cut your studying time down significantly and you don’t have to spend hours rereading the same confusing paragraphs in your textbooks!

3) Auditory learning

If you are more of an auditory learner, listening to online lectures or videos is probably the best study option for you. You can do this by asking your teacher for permission in class to record lectures, or, if you are on Zoom, just record the lecture with your phone. If you are looking to find videos to help outside of class, Khan Academy is a great option. The site offers various further explanations about topics that you may not find very clear. Then when it is time to study, play the audio back to yourself. In addition, if you need to write a report or take a test on a book for an English final, rather than reading it, listen to the audiobook. “I have found that listening to the subject I am studying helps me learn the material better. Even if I just play the audio in the background of what I am doing, my brain is still picking up parts of the audio and helps me remember,” junior Ally Smith said. 

4) Study with classmates

Whether it’s studying with your friends over Zoom or in-person, being able to bounce ideas off of other people is another effective learning tactic for finals. You can make study groups with peers who have your same teacher and help each other with understanding material for the final. “Studying with classmates can benefit students when preparing for finals because you are able to share ideas and broaden all of your understandings by learning from each other. You can also use classmates to check your knowledge of certain topics but quizzing each other,” freshman Elijah Leal-Schuman said. Not only will you be prepared for your final, but you will also be able to hang out and catch up with friends! 

Finals week is a stressful time for everyone, but finding a good study method can help alleviate some of this pressure. Don’t forget to get some fresh air and go to bed at a decent hour!