Exam Tips: How to Study for Finals - College Info Geek

Summary

In this video, Thomas Frank shares five study tips for acing finals week. He advises understanding the difference between planning and doing (robot mode), tailoring study efforts to exam formats, using active recall, reviewing old material, and anticipating procrastination. He also promotes his Mutant Guide to Studying for Finals and an upcoming free book for better study strategies.

Takeaways

• 📅 Plan your study schedule based on the number of days until your exams and the material you need to cover.
• 🤖 Understand the difference between planning mode and doing mode (robot mode) to efficiently manage your study time.
• 📑 Break down study projects into actionable steps to make your study sessions more productive.
• 📚 Know the format of your exams and tailor your study efforts accordingly to match the assessment types.
• 🔍 Use active recall in your study sessions to reinforce memory and improve retention.
• 📈 Learn about the forgetting curve to understand how memories degrade over time and the importance of active recall.
• 📝 Review old material and find past exams to familiarize yourself with the types of questions that may appear on your finals.
• 🧘‍♂️ Anticipate your failures and plan breaks in advance to manage procrastination and maintain focus.
• 📚 Utilize resources like koofers.com and fraternity test banks to find study materials and past exams.
• 📈 Use the Mutant Guide to Studying for Finals and articles on planning mode versus robot mode for additional study strategies.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of the video?

The main purpose of the video is to provide tips on how to study more efficiently for finals and reduce stress during finals week.

What is the first tip given by Thomas Frank for studying for finals?

The first tip is to differentiate between planning mode and doing mode, also referred to as robot mode, where planning should precede doing.

What does 'robot mode' signify in the context of studying?

'Robot mode' signifies the phase where a student focuses on executing the study plan without distractions, akin to a worker or slave who performs tasks without planning.

How should a student create a study plan according to the video?

A student should create a detailed study plan by determining the number of days until exams, the time available for study, and breaking down study projects into actionable steps.

What is an example of an actionable study step mentioned in the video?

An example of an actionable study step is getting out all material, reviewing a specific chapter, such as on L'Hôpital's Rule, and going through a practice problem set.

What is the significance of knowing the format of your exams according to the video?

Knowing the format of your exams allows you to tailor your study efforts to match the type of assessment, such as preparing for multiple choice tests or essay-based exams differently.

How does active recall differ from passive review as a study method?

Active recall involves actively trying to bring forth information from memory, whereas passive review is simply reading or looking over notes. Active recall is more effective for retaining information.

What is the forgetting curve, as mentioned in the video?

The forgetting curve is a theory by Hermann Ebbinghaus that explains how memories degrade exponentially over time, and the importance of active recall in strengthening memories.

What is the fourth tip given by Thomas Frank for studying for finals?

The fourth tip is to review old material while studying, possibly using resources like koofers.com, fraternity test banks, or professional organizations to find old tests and exam questions.

How can students anticipate and plan for their failures in studying, as suggested in the video?

Students can anticipate failures like procrastination or loss of willpower by planning breaks in advance, setting specific times for relaxation or rewards after periods of focused study.

What resources does Thomas Frank offer at the end of the video?

Thomas Frank offers resources such as the Mutant Guide to Studying for Finals on the College Info Geek blog, an article about planning mode versus robot mode, and announces a free book titled 'Ten Steps to Earning Awesome Grades While Studying Less'.