Whether you have test anxiety or generally are fearful of unknown circumstances, a first-time collegiate level final exam is a new experience that can be intimidating for freshman students.
Of course, paying attention in class and taking the time to study greatly increases the chances of passing, but as a first-year student it can be tough to know what methods work best for you to be successful on your finals.
Therefore, we asked upperclassmen for tips they would give to first time final taker. Here’s what they said.
- “It’s best to make sure your grade doesn’t rely solely on the final to pass. You’ve got to put the work in all semester on other assignments so that the final stress is eased by not having the exam be such a huge factor on your final grade.” - Joe Clark, Junior, Communications Major
- “You must listen to your gut. The best test taking is done when you aren’t second guessing yourself on answers. It’s the first thing we’re taught in nursing, your intuition is right much more than you’d think it is.” - Alison Poppiti, Senior, Nursing Major
- “If you haven’t had as much time to study as you wanted, don’t overthink it. It won’t be the end of the world and any amount of preparing can make the test easier.” - Charles Cuba, Senior, Cyber Security Major
- “Slow down, Life is a marathon not a sprint, and just play it cool as long as you get a degree. It doesn’t matter how fast it is. Failing happens in life and the worst you can do is beat yourself up too much when it happens.” - Alek Ruszkai, Senior, Communications Major
- “My funny answer would be to study and hope for the best. But to be serious, take your time, you have two hours to take the exam, which is plenty of time to go through the assortment of different answers.” - Sara Tercha, Sophomore, Accounting Major
- “When studying, study in rounds where you study the review about two to three times and then take small breaks. Pace yourself and take it one step at a time. It’s important to a confidence in yourself and your” - Logan Fogerty, Senior, Communications Major
The finals experience is unique to each individual, but every person can find a route to success.
