Here is an example of some of the curriculum that I taught and resources I provided in my role as a McCombs Success Scholars Peer Mentor. This guide was to help first-year students survive their first round of final exams!

1. HOW TO
SURVIVE
FINAL EXAMS
M I R A M C K E E
11.28.18 • MSS SMALL GROUP MEETING
A GUIDE TO STUDYING SMARTER,
PRIORITIZING THE IMPORTANT STUFF,
AND ACING THOSE FINALS

2. STUDYING
SMARTER
Start early and plan big time blocks
Do a little bit of everything every day
Review your notes before you start studying
Vary what you study (i.e., don't study 2 similar
classes back-to-back)
Take Time to Relax (Pomodoro Technique)
All-nighters are NOT the move
You know what you know, and you need to
learn what you don't know!!!
Ideal group size = 4.6 or "2 pizzas" rule
The best way to learn:
Concepts? talking it out & teaching others
Terms? repetition, writing it out, talking it
out, & flash cards
Math/Quantitative stuff? repetition & practice
It take SEVEN repetitions to learn something!!!

3. PRIORITIZING
IS KEY
Plan WHAT you're going to study, HOW you're
going to study, and WHEN you're going to study
Make a calendar & stick to a routine
Start with what you enjoy doing least (this
applies to both subject & concept)
Options: Work chronologically (re-teach
yourself from the start), Go by midterm (start
with lowest exam grade), or Hardest-to-Easiest
(chapters/concept)
Make a list of your classes, the chapters that
the final exam will cover, and the main
concepts of each chapter (from there you can
prioritize on a high, medium, or low-level)
Recall the Eisenhower Box... (always consider
importance vs. urgency)

4. REMINDERS
You will be okay.
Your mental health is important.
If you need a study buddy, a good on (or off)
campus study spot, or anything else...let me
know!
I believe in you!!!
Also...
The MSS Study Break will be on December
11th, from 11-3, in the Legacy Events Room
I'll see you for one on ones next Friday,
December 7th!
Let's set up a group meeting time for next
semester.

5. TOP 10 TIPS
1. Start early
2. Adopt a positive approach (this exam isn't
punishing me, it's a way for me to prove that my
studies paid off)
3. Take time to relax
4. Anxiety is contagious (choose your company
wisely & don't psych yourself out)
5. Plan rewards (e.g., movie after exam)
6. Sleep > last-minute cramming & all-nighters
7. Start with what you enjoy least
8. Office hours & study sessions are your best
friend in this trying time
9. Know what you don't know
10. "Sleep more than you study, study more than
you party, party as much as you possibly can."
M I R A M C K E E