Many students are beginning to feel the pressure as finals approach, but instead of studying early, some students still regress to old habits of procrastination and cramming.
“I usually wait to study until about the night before and stay up all night,” said Cory Burks, kinesiology senior. “It hurts [my grades] a little because I don’t make it through the night. I don’t get through all the material.”
Last-minute, all-night, brain-straining study habits are advised against by the Center for Academic Success.
“Instead of studying all day long for the next exam, spread it out and study for every subject every day,” said Diane Mohler, learning strategies consultant for the Center for Academic Success. “Don’t look at it as cramming … I like chunking. The brain likes to bring information together … the brain is usually able to remember categories and chunks.”
Mohler said to spread studying for all classes across a longer time period. She also said to break each subject’s material into key concepts and then build the details into each concept.
“Bring information together and organize it in one way,” Mohler said. “The brain will hold onto that because you’ve brought it together under categories. Find the key concepts and build in the details.”
Erika Letten, jewelry design freshman, said she used to cram for her exams, but now she’s adopted a study style similar to Mohler’s suggestions.
“I study between classes and after classes,” Letten said. “I do a little bit every day. If you review your notes a little bit every day, then you have an easier time when it comes to finals. Don’t wait until the last minute.”
In addition to studying in chunks, Mohler said sleep was another key to doing well during finals week.
“A lot of students think it’s okay to give up on sleep, but that is so counterproductive,” Mohler said. “When you go past a certain point [without sleep], you won’t retain anymore information.”
Mohler said staying up all night results in the loss of 30 to 60 percent of what you studied. She said sleep allows the information to connect to long-term memory in the brain. Sleep also allows the body and mind to be energized.
Energy is definitely a valuable possession during finals, and many students resort to excessive caffeine or energy drink consumption and non-prescribed Adderall use as an extra source of energy.
“Many students heard the myth that Adderall or some of the other ADD/ADHD medications make you smarter so you can learn the material at the last minute,” said Kathryn Saichuk, Wellness Education coordinator for the LSU Student Health Center. “And it is precisely that — a myth. These drugs do not make a person smarter. They stimulate the brain and keep you awake and possibly provide a greater focus while studying.”
A drug that gives you energy and makes you study does not sound bad to any student, but Saichuk warns the potential side effects are not worth the risk.
Some side effects of Adderall may include depression, heart attack, high blood pressure, hives, impotence, overstimulation, seizures, stomach and intestinal disturbances, stroke and sudden death. Saichuk said Adderall is a very addictive drug, and dependency develops rapidly.
“Side effects cannot always be predicted, and each person is affected differently,” Saichuk said. “Many college-age students may not be aware of one of these medical conditions and could cause serious harm to themselves, or it could be lethal.”
Mohler said eating healthy and exercising will give the brain more energy.
“The brain loves exercise and can even be more efficient,” Mohler said. “Ten to 15 minutes for a short walk or run can be really valuable.”
Besides maintaining an as-healthy-as-possible lifestyle during finals, Mohler said to distance yourself from every day distractions in order to focus. She said external distractions, such as television, Facebook and video games, and internal distractions, such as gossip and drama, should be set aside for the next week.——Contact Mary Walker Baus at [email protected]