Here are some recommendations as you focus on studying and writing your exams.

STUDY SMART

Here are some recommendations to maximize your effectiveness and efficiency as you focus on studying and writing your exams.

• Check your exam schedule and manage your exam conflicts and deferrals ahead of time. Make sure you know when and when you write your final exams.
• Create a study schedule by working backwards from the exam date and allowing extra time for courses and topic areas that are more challenging for you.
• Use your syllabus and course objectives to determine what you need to focus on most when studying.
• Find out what type of exam you are writing (e.g., multiple choice, short answer, essay, open book). Knowing the format will help you determine how to study.
• Gather and organize essential materials, such as assigned course readings, lecture notes, and practice questions.
• Study actively by creating something new. Just re-reading or recopying your notes is not effective and can lead to poor results. Instead, re-organize the information by creating charts, concept maps and/or timelines.
• Avoid cramming. Cramming overtaxes your memory—you will likely remember less and may even get confused about the material.
• If you’re short on time, read chapter summaries and chapter objectives. Focus on material that will be covered on the exam, but that was not covered during class. Review the material you don’t know well before reviewing material that is easier or more familiar.
• Test yourself. Complete the chapter quizzes. Create and answer your own test questions. Challenge yourself to write down everything you know about a course topic, concept, or section without looking at your notes or textbook, then fill in the gaps. Not knowing is part of learning, so don’t stress if you don’t know much the first time you do this. Your knowledge will improve!
• Do LOTS of practice problems, especially if you are in problem-based courses like Math, Statistics, Chemistry, Physics, or Engineering. Do the hardest questions. Approach problem solving in an organized way using the Academic Learning Centre’s GUESS method.
• Be proactive. If you have questions, your first step should be to contact the course instructor or teaching assistant. You can also find recorded Academic Success Workshops that can help you continue to succeed, or you can book an appointment with an Academic Learning Centre content/study skills tutor.

PRACTICE SELF-CARE

Focusing on your wellness as much as your studying during exam season can help ensure you are functioning at your best. Many resources can help you thrive and take care of yourself. Here are some suggestions:

• Find a balance. Consider eating foods that fuel you, get the rest you need, and move your body in whatever way makes sense to you! Take advantage of UM Recreation Services’ wide range of virtual workout sessions and the facilities and programs on both UM campuses.
• Get support. If you get anxious about exams, you are not alone. The Student Counselling Centre offers counselling services for students, including groups and workshops available throughout the year.
  • Enhance your coping abilities with SCC’s Stress and Wellness 101 . You can attend one, two or all three sessions in on of the two following series:
    • Series 5: In-person on Monday, March 25, April 1 and 8 | 10:30 to 12:20pm
    • Series 6: In-person on Thursday, April 11, 18 and 25 | 10:30 to 12:30pm
  • Join Mid-day Mindfulness meditation on Wednesdays at 12:30-1:30.
  • If you need help developing an action plan for a specific challenge, the SCC offers Single Session Therapy appointments to help you finish the term.
  • Looking for a place to study, rest, learn or connect? Visit the new Student Wellness Centre (SWC). The SWC can support you in getting well, being well and staying well during your time in university.
• Develop good habits. Connect with UM’s Coordinator of Student Health and Wellness Education to discuss health and wellness topics such as stress management or other ideas for healthier living. The Healthy U website also has multiple resources you can access at any time. 
• Take short breaks regularly. Getting up and moving when you’re studying can help prevent neck pain and headaches. Doing this also gives your mind a rest so you can return to your work feeling refreshed.
• Make time for things that bring you joy and help you relax. Enjoy a hobby, spend time in nature, tidy up your space or connect with friends and family.
• Remember to breathe. It’s easy to forget this when you’re feeling stressed. Simply close your eyes and count your breaths, focusing on inhaling and exhaling slowly and deeply. Looking for  somewhere to take a moment and breathe, the Spiritual Care and Multi-Faith Centre offers a meditation space for students and the Student Wellness Centre offers a “calm space” for students to disconnect from the chaos of campus.
• Remember that your self-worth and value as a person is not determined by one test score or one exam. No matter the results of your exams or course grades, you are worthy of living a good life. Acknowledge how hard you’re working, show yourself kindness and remember that you are doing the best you can.
• Celebrate all of your wins: Prepping for finals and finishing your course load can be a long journey. Waiting until the result of your exam or last class is certainly worth celebrating, but so is all of the work you are accomplishing along the way. Attending class, learning a challenging concept, or getting through your most recent study session are all your wins as well. Celebrate yourself as you go, you deserve it.

What are you grateful for?

When our minds start to wander to the worst-case scenarios, it can feel impossible to regain control. Try listing a few things that you are grateful for to help reign in that wandering mind!

• I am grateful for the delicious dinner I had last night
• I am grateful for my mom, who loves me
• I am grateful for the weather today

Read this article from the Gottman Institute to learn more about Rituals of Gratitude.

Work out your senses

Give your brain a bit of a workout by exercising your awareness of your senses. Practicing mindfulness can help to reduce stress and even help you focus.

• Seeing: Pick an object in your environment and try to notice something interesting about it that you might not have before
• Feeling: Bring awareness to every part of your body that is making contact with a surface
• Hearing: Find a noise, like the hum of your computer or the cars outside, and listen to the way it fluctuates
• Smelling: Try to identify a smell around you, like dinner being made or even just the regular smell of the room

Learn more about Using your Senses to Relieve Anxiety with this artcle from Anxiety Canada.

Remind yourself of how great you are!

In stressful moments, it is easy to feel like your self-esteem has taken a beating. When stress is something that we deal with often, like in a university setting, it’s crucial to develop strategies to maintain a high level of self-worth. Try writing down some affirmations in your phone or on a post-it note on your mirror so that they’re fresh in your mind when stress creeps in. These are most effective when they are realistic so feel free to tweak the examples below to fit your life!

• I am still strong even though I am having a hard moment
• I have taken exams that I have done well on before, and I will do well on this one
• Just because I am feeling anxious about this presentation does not mean I am unprepared

Learn about Self-Compassion which is related to affirmations.

Prepare and practice

The best way to use these tools to combat stress is in combination with preparation and practice. Just like when giving a presentation, it’s always best to come prepared with notes; print out this post or jot down a few of your favourite strategies in your phone so that you are prepared with your tools when stressful moments arise. These strategies are great to use in the moment, but will achieve the most success when exercised so that they’re tailored to your current situation.

Learn more

• Drop by the Student Wellness Centre at 162 Extended Education to learn more about how to manage stress during the upcoming exam season
• Check out Healthy U’s Guide to Stress and Anxiety package to learn even more stress-reducing strategies.
• Access Student Supports at UM
• Check out the Student Health and Wellness page

Healthy U is a UM student group made up of a team of friendly volunteers who are trained student health educators. Managed by UM’s Health and Wellness office, Healthy U provides students with validated health information through blog posts, peer office hours, health packages and outreach events. 

An exam deferral is a privilege that may be granted under extenuating circumstances.  Although rare, medical or compassionate circumstances may arise which prevent a student from writing an exam as scheduled. UM developed the Self-Declaration Policy for Students with these circumstances in mind.

If you are unable to write an exam and no other documentation is available, you must complete the Fillable Self-Declaration Form for submission with your request for deferred exam(s).  Students should be aware that submitting a Self-Declaration form either dishonestly, or for a non-valid reason is the same as submitting any other fraudulent (false) document, which may result in disciplinary action under the UM Student Discipline By-Law.

Examples of non-valid reasons

• Attending a personal or family event (e.g., vacation, wedding)
• Optional travel
• Technological difficulties
• Competitions or events, related to personal interests (choir, acting, pageants, exhibitions)
• Employment-related commitments

Examples of valid reasons

• Sudden illness or injury on the day of an exam
• Unexpected compassionate circumstances
• Known conflicts of religious observance
• Bereavement or loss of a loved one
• Participation in an inter-university, provincial, inter-provincial, national or international scholastic or athletic event

Be sure to check with an advisor in your home faculty (or your faculty’s website) to confirm which events and other reasons may be supported by the Self-Declaration form. There are some circumstances in which documentation may be required by your faculty. If you are experiencing anxiety around your academic obligations, please use the student supports resources available to you, such as:

• Academic Learning Centre for study skills, exam preparation, writing workshops
• Student Counselling Centre (or other Student Supports to manage stress and anxiety)
• Student Accessibility Services if related to an ongoing or chronic health condition

We wish you the best on your final examinations.