How to Create a Study Schedule to Prepare for Final Exams

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Studying for exams at any point in the semester can be stressful, but studying for finals for can be extra stressful. Collecting all of the materials you need to create a schedule and assessing how much time you have to study before your finals start can help you create a study schedule. Carefully considering the restrictions on your time and then sticking to your study schedule can help you create a useful schedule and be more productive when you study.

Part 1
Part 1 of 2:

Assessing Your Study Needs

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  1. Before you can actually create a study schedule for finals week, you need to decide what exactly you’ll use for scheduling. You might prefer paper calendars or planners, or you might want to use a digital app, such as the calendar on your phone or an actual study app. [1]
    • It doesn’t matter which type you prefer, as long as you have something that you are comfortable using.
  2. Before you even begin crafting a schedule, make sure you have all of your exam dates in front of you. This will make creating your schedule a lot easier because you won’t have to stop and search for information or, even worse, have to start over because you forgot about an exam.
    • Some schools schedule all finals during a finals week. In this case, the time for your final might not be on the same day or at the same time as when your class normally meets. Make sure you note if that’s true.
    • Some teachers might schedule your final during regular class time, even if your school has a devoted finals week. Make sure you have that information, too.
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  3. If you have breaks between when you start drawing up your study schedule and finals week, you can use them to devote more time to studying since you won't have to attend class.
    • Depending on how long your classes usually are per day, consider adding extra study sessions for those courses during their regularly scheduled meeting times. This gives you some extra time to study without really disrupting your normal schedule.
  4. How much time you have to study for finals will depend on when in the semester you start drawing up your schedule. Once you’re ready to set your study schedule, calculate how many days you have between now and when your exams are. This will obviously be a different number for every exam.
    • Keep in mind that you might not be able to study every single day. If you have a lot scheduled on a specific day, leave that day off your study schedule. This will give you a more realistic idea of what you have to work with. [2]
  5. Once you know how much time you have to study for each exam, prioritize them. List your exams in order, starting with the one you have to take the soonest, and ending with your last exam. You might also want to consider prioritizing by how hard the exam is likely to be. [3]
    • For example, if you struggle with Math, you might want to move it to the top of your list so that you'll know you have enough time to study for it.
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Part 2
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Creating Your Schedule

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  1. Some people study better at night while other people are more alert in the morning. Schedule your study time for a time of day when you know you’ll be the sharpest – this will help you retain information more easily. [4]
    • If you don't know what time you study best at, experiment. Study in the morning one day, and in the evening the next.
  2. Before you create your study schedule, make sure you add the non-studying stuff you have to do—classes, extracurricular activities, doctor’s appointments, etc.—so you know what time you actually have available. [5]
    • This prevents you from scheduling study time and then realizing that day you had an appointment you forgot about and have to miss your study time.
  3. Don’t schedule study time for eight hours of the day on top of the other stuff you have to do, too. The more realistic you can be, the more productive your studying will be. [6]
    • Be realistic about what you can get done in each study session. Don't schedule studying 5 chapters, writing a paper, and working on a project all during the same 2-hour block.
  4. Research shows that after about 2 hours, we are less able to focus on a specific topic or task, and our concentration and ability to retain information declines. Scheduling your study time in 2-hour blocks not only prevents you from setting unrealistic goals, it also helps you make the most productive schedule. [7]
    • This doesn't mean that you can only schedule one 2-hour session per day. Depending on how much other time you have available to study, you can schedule one or two 2-hour sessions in the morning and one or two 2-hour sessions later in the day.
    • If you're going to schedule multiple sessions per day, try to schedule them for the time when you work best. If you work better in the morning, try scheduling to sessions before noon—with a good break in between. If you work better in the evening, schedule one session before dinner and one after. [8]
  5. In each study session, studying 1 subject at a time can help you focus on the material better and therefore retain more.
    • Splitting your time between multiple subjects per study session doesn't give you enough time to get deep enough in the material to really retain anything.
    • Some change is good when you're studying. Studying one topic for one study session and then switching to something totally different for your next session can keep things fresh and keep up your efficiency and energy. [9]
  6. When you’re setting up your times to study, make sure you build in 10 or 15 minutes to quickly review what you studied the day before. It keeps things fresh in your mind and will remind you of the connections between what you’re doing and what you already did. [10]
    • If the topic is more difficult, you may need a little more than 10 or 15 minutes to review.
    • You should still do this even if you feel confident about a topic or are really good at it.
    • Consider making a summary sheet for every topic or chapter that you’re studying. That way, you can look back over the summary at a later date for quick review.
    • Reader Poll: We asked 215 wikiHow readers and 52% of them agreed that the most effective study guide format is a summary sheet . [Take Poll]
  7. While you’re scheduling time to study, it’s also important to build breaks into your schedule. Research suggests that you should take a break for 10-15 minutes every hour. [11]
    • You should also schedule larger breaks—like time to exercise or see friends or watch TV. Giving your brain and your body a chance to relax will make you more productive in the long run.
    • Aim to eat a healthy snack on your break as this can improve your mood, energy level, and focus. For instance, eat a handful of nuts or a piece of fruit and a small portion of cottage cheese.
  8. As you’re scheduling your existing appointments and obligations and your study time, color code each type of activity. This gives you a better visual representation of what your week will look like and can often help you see how much time you really need to spend studying.
    • Don't put similar colors right next to each other. For example, red and orange can look similar, especially under certain lights. Try red and yellow together instead.
  9. Try to study at the same time (and possibly the same place) every day. This can make studying become almost automatic. The one exception to this, of course, is if your study area is unavailable. [12]
    • For example, if you are used to studying in a coffee shop, but the coffee shop is closed, you will need to find another place to study.
    • If you can't focus in your usual study location, choose a different spot.
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Study Schedule for Final Exams

Supercharge Your Studying with this Expert Series

Do you want to make your studying more efficient, learn more quickly, and remember more information? Check out these expert articles.
1
Study For Exams
2
Study So You Can Remember Everything
3
Make a Study Space
4
Create Good Study Habits for Exams
5
Learn Without Forgetting
6
Retain Information when You Study for a Test

Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    How many hours should I study for a final exam?
    Christopher Taylor, PhD
    English Professor
    Christopher Taylor is an Adjunct Assistant Professor of English at Austin Community College in Texas. He received his PhD in English Literature and Medieval Studies from the University of Texas at Austin in 2014.
    Christopher Taylor, PhD
    English Professor
    Expert Answer
    Ideally, you should spend a couple of hours each week during the semester to review the material you covered in class that week. Then, as finals approach, try to begin studying for that final exam at least two weeks out.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
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    Not Helpful 2 Helpful 1
  • Question
    How can I prepare for my final exams?
    Christopher Taylor, PhD
    English Professor
    Christopher Taylor is an Adjunct Assistant Professor of English at Austin Community College in Texas. He received his PhD in English Literature and Medieval Studies from the University of Texas at Austin in 2014.
    Christopher Taylor, PhD
    English Professor
    Expert Answer
    Creating a study schedule is a great place to start. From there, review your notes, make a study guide, create flashcards, and take practice exams to help prepare yourself.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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    Not Helpful 1 Helpful 24
  • Question
    How can I study for an exam in a small amount of time?
    Christopher Taylor, PhD
    English Professor
    Christopher Taylor is an Adjunct Assistant Professor of English at Austin Community College in Texas. He received his PhD in English Literature and Medieval Studies from the University of Texas at Austin in 2014.
    Christopher Taylor, PhD
    English Professor
    Expert Answer
    Cramming for a test is proven to be an ineffective test taking strategy. If you don't have much time to prepare for an exam, find a quiet place where you can focus, create a study guide or review for the course, and try taking a practice test.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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      Tips

      • Study one subject at a time. Scheduling more than one subject for one chunk of study time can prevent you from remembering anything at all!
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        Helpful 29 Not Helpful 3
      • Check your schedule often―it’s no good making one if you aren’t going to follow it.
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        Helpful 16 Not Helpful 5

      Tips from our Readers

      The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
      • Try to save your favorite subject for last. That way, if you're feeling tired by the end of your study session, your favorite subject will cheer you up, and it will require less energy to focus on it.
      • Don't spend your precious study time scrolling on your phone! Consider putting it in another room while you study so you aren't tempted.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://algonquincollege.libguides.com/studyskills/weeklySchedule
      2. ↑ http://lsc.cornell.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Guidelines-for-Creating-a-Study-Schedule.pdf
      3. ↑ https://lsc.cornell.edu/how-to-study/studying-for-and-taking-exams/guidelines-for-creating-a-study-schedule/
      4. ↑ https://learningcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/studying-101-study-smarter-not-harder/
      5. ↑ https://learningcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/studying-101-study-smarter-not-harder/
      6. ↑ https://lsc.cornell.edu/how-to-study/studying-for-and-taking-exams/guidelines-for-creating-a-study-schedule/
      7. ↑ http://www.apa.org/gradpsych/2011/11/study-smart.aspx
      8. ↑ http://lsc.cornell.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Guidelines-for-Creating-a-Study-Schedule.pdf
      9. ↑ http://lsc.cornell.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Guidelines-for-Creating-a-Study-Schedule.pdf
      1. ↑ https://www.stetson.edu/administration/academic-success/media/STUDY%20SCHEDULE.pdf
      2. ↑ https://www.stetson.edu/administration/academic-success/media/STUDY%20SCHEDULE.pdf
      3. ↑ https://www.youthcentral.vic.gov.au/study-and-training/help-with-study/how-to-study-better/top-10-study-tips

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      A study schedule is a great way to stay on track for your final exams and make sure that you cover all the material you’ll need to know. Before you make one, take a look at your calendar to see how much time you have to devote to studying. Then, block out study sessions in 2-hour increments so you don’t overwhelm yourself. It’s best to focus on 1 topic at a time when studying, which will help you retain more information. Additionally, you should schedule in one 10-15 minute break every hour to keep your energy and focus up. To learn which times of day are best for studying, read more from our Professor co-author!

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