Midterm and Finals Prep - Campbell University

Start preparing early.
Begin reviewing lecture notes, past exams as soon as possible. Consider attending a review session or meeting with a tutor to review course material and/or gain a better understanding of any content you may not be clear on.

Persuade yourself to study with rewards.
Reward yourself for studying and completing tasks. This can motivate you to get it done. For example, after dedicating 2 hours to studying reward yourself with your favorite Netflix show for 30 minutes.

Keep in contact with your professors.
Everyone is adjusting to remote learning differently, your professors realize this. If you are struggling with studying or completing your exam at home let your professor know as soon as you can. Also be sure to check your CU email and Blackboard page often, for important information from your faculty.

Find a quiet place to study and take exams, with minimal distractions.
Many students have moved back home and may have to deal with noisy family members. Although you may not be able to use your designated study room in the library, you can create a similar space for yourself at home. You can do this by finding a space that your family doesn’t use often. You should also consider communicating with your family about your upcoming exams. If you believe that your home may not be the best place to complete your exam, try to find an alternate location, such as a relative or friend’s home. Prior to beginning your study time or exam also be sure to remove all distractions, such as turning off your television and silencing your phone notifications.

Set alarms for exams.
Like many people, your sense of time and daily schedule has been impacted by remote learning. You may find yourself forgetting important events and tasks. The last thing you want to do is forget about or sleep through a final exam. Don’t worry, you can avoid this by setting an alarm on your phone and adding the event to your calendar.

Make any last-minute exam preparations.
Every course has a different protocol for finals, so inform yourself of them long before your exam time. If you need to sign into a proctoring site or log on to Blackboard Collaborate or Webex before the exam starts, do that in advance to account for any technical difficulties. If you are allowed to use notes, have those ready before the exam. Also test out the space that you plan to use to complete your exam, make sure that it is comfortable and free of distractions.

Get dressed- even if you’re not going anywhere.
This may seem like strange advice since there is a chance that no one will see what you are wearing. However, you should consider getting dressed for the impact it will have on your mindset. Getting dressed in normal clothes can trick your brain into getting more done and motivate you to put forth your best effort.

Thoroughly read and understand the test guidelines.
Be sure you can answer the following questions prior to your exam: Will the test take place at a specific date and time, or can you take the exam at any point during a specific length of time? How much time will you have to complete the test? Is there a specific device or program needed in advance to complete the exam? Are there any other important “need to know” factors outlined by the instructor?
If you have technical problems, don’t panic!
If you run into any technical issues contact your instructor immediately. Be sure to detail the exact problem, any error messages you may have received, and a screenshot of the issue if possible. If your instructor is not able to provide you with support, contact the IT Help Desk.
Take a deep breath.
Once you have logged in and ready to complete your exam, take a deep breath. Relax and get focused. You have got this!