If you are worried about passing your final exams, you’re not alone; thousands of college students every semester rack their brains and try and to figure out what it would take to get an A on there final exams. It’s actually easier than you think, but it requires patience and preparation.

First you need to figure out if your final is Multiple Choice or Essay style because each requires a different approach; if your test is multiple choice, then as long as you are familiar with the information, chances are you will be pretty successful, but you definitely want to study to increase your chances especially if you are looking to ace the test.

If your final is essay style, then you must have a much deeper understanding of the material, and you achieve this by quizzing yourself, joining a study group and even comparing the information to your life experiences to ensure that when you need to you can retrieve the knowledge.

The first step is to study early because the more you familiarize yourself with the material, the better the chances are that you will retain the information.

The second thing you must consider is time management.  Give yourself proper time to prepare for your final because preparation is key. If you prepare ahead of time, you’ll save yourself the stress of cramming at the last minute and hoping that someone doesn’t distract you right before the test.

Preparing ahead of time will also make you a nicer person to be around because chances are that if you’re cramming, you’re probably irritable and pressed for time.

Laura Da Costa, instructor of psychology at Fresno City College suggests, “Relax, take a deep breath and take your time; you’ll focus better if you don’t put added pressure on yourself by waiting to the last minute.”

Also be realistic with your time.  If you know that with the holidays are coming up that family is your priority, then make sure you put aside time to study beforehand and be ready to adjust to unexpected events because we all know life is full of those and we don’t want to be caught unprepared.

It’s understandable that you may be busy during this time of the semester with school and maybe even a job, but being swamped is never an excuse. You enrolled in college for a reason, so studying should be a priority that you keep high on your list. Community college students should not waste anytime; study every chance you get especially during “crunch-time” (holiday break & finals week). Keep in mind that these grades will follow you beyond your college years, and one failing grade could come back to haunt you later in life.

If you need help, there is a tutorial center on campus that is open five days a week: Monday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday and Wednesday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Thursday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Friday 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. The center has tutors in all subjects who are trained to get you in the right direction in whatever topic you have.

Dalia Haitayan, a tutor in the tutorial center suggests that during finals time, “You shouldn’t get caught up going out, partying and shopping; keep your priorities in order and focus on school because you have the rest of your life to enjoy yourself outside of school.”  

For the procrastinators who wait until the last minute, drink lots of coffee and study your butt off. That’s all you can really do now.