| Tough question! It depends on the subject. You probably approach math study a little differently than a writing class or one where there is a great deal of reading. Remember that you'll retain more in small chunks and schedule your study time accordingly. You may find that you retain math information better in the morning, when your brain is fresh, while reading or writing are easier after you've been awake a while. Learn your strengths and own them.
Don't cram. In the short term, this may seem like a great strategy, but long term retention will suffer and you may end up going back and spending more time reviewing material before a final, leaving less time for the sleep you'll need in order to focus on the exam.
Study every day. Use the course syllabus to your advantage and read your assignments, ahead if possible. You may not know what questions will be asked, but at least the material will seem familiar to you.
Schedule the time in a planner or in an electronic format to study. If you don't plan, it's easy to miss an assignment or to procrastinate and end up rushing through the material.
Above all, relax. If you've planned well, read the material, and gotten assistance when you've needed it, you'll be just fine. |