As the midpoint of the school year approaches, students begin to prepare for their midterm exams. Among these, the English final often stands out for its focus on critical thinking, analysis, and creativity. So how long in advance should one study for their English final?
The answer to this question is not “one-size-fits-all,” it is tailored to each individual student. A committed student who is devoted to their studies may need less time to study then a student who tends to procrastinate and doesn’t have a well rounded study plan in place. However, establishing a well thought out plan will increase your chances of success this finals season.
Ideally, begin your study process at least two weeks before your final for a balanced review without overwhelming yourself.
In your first week of studying, you should focus on an overview of material. Start by rereading novels, reviewing course material, and touching up on grammar rules. Identify key themes, motifs, literary devices. Organize your study material taking into account where you feel confident and where you need the extra review. Create a study schedule allocating specific time to different topics you need to study. This will help allocate your time equally and get you set up to succeed.
In your second week of studying, you should dive deeper into the material you have marked that you did not know so well. Take notes, create summaries, and start memorizing the material and plots of your novels. Start reviewing possible test questions and practice writing articulated and strong arguments. Seek feedback from friends and family. Use this feedback to enhance your writing style and strengthen any weak points
In the third week of studying, focus on refining your knowledge. Focus on making any difficult concepts clear through reading and peer study groups. Studying with a friend can help motivate you to be more productive. Constance Hadley, a psychologist and lecturer at Boston University says that studying with a friend creates a lower risk of burnout and higher rate of productivity.
In conclusion, the key to success in your English final is to have an organized and spread out timeline to review. Starting to study two or three weeks in advance gives you time to review all of your material without the stress and burnout that usually comes with it. These weeks also allow for gradual review and easier comprehension of difficult topics. Lastly, consistency is key. By achieving small goals each week, you are allowing yourself to achieve the main goal and ace your English final.