Finals season is almost here, and tests can be a lot to study for. However, with the right tools, you can make studying and taking tests a breeze. Here are a few helpful study tips and tricks that I learned.

The Pomodoro technique is a great tool to use when studying, and it’s a good way to get more done. First, you pick one task to complete. You next find a timer and set it for 25 minutes and work on the specific task until the timer rings. Next, take a short 5 minute break, and then repeat the process four times. After you have done this, you then take a longer break of 15 to 30 minutes. This process greatly helped me with my studying and with my homework and made my schoolwork much easier in general, so be sure to try this the next time you study.

Another studying strategy that I found helpful was to make study guides. I write down the important ideas from a lesson or unit as well as terms and definitions, and then review it before a test so you are familiar with all of the important ideas. If you are given a synopsis for a unit, it will usually give many of the important ideas, so try to write these down on the study guide. Making these study guides made taking tests much easier, and they also make studying for finals easier, as they contain all the important information.

I also found it useful to spread out studying for the period of time before a test. Try to study every day or couple days. I also found it helpful to not cram the night before a test, as it is harder to learn the material and is not very helpful. Also, if you have vocabulary to learn, I would recommend reviewing it by making flash cards by hand or online on sites such as Quizlet.

Finally, I found using a planner or calendar extremely helpful. You can plan assignments and projects and break down your work and studying into manageable blocks, and I found this valuable, especially when working on large projects or assignments. Using a planner or calendar is also helpful for meeting deadlines with assignments, as well as keeping you organized. Overall, all of these study tips were very helpful for me and they’re sure to be useful for you as well, so be sure to use these the next time you’re studying for a test or project!