Finals are in 6 weeks...getting a little worried. Need some advice/help

[RBC]

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I graduated this past spring, and am currently doing a post-bacc. I'm taking 5 upper level/grad level science courses.

My final exams are in 6 weeks, and every final in each of my courses is cumulative from day one. I somehow managed to avoid this during undergrad - typically only 1-2 of my finals were cumulative, while the others were just regular exams. Additionally, like most other science majors, I was only taking a few science courses per semester (and maybe a lab) while the other courses were humanities.

This time around, though, all 5 of my courses are upper level sciences, and all 5 finals are cumulative. I've never had to deal with anything like this before, and it's a bit daunting and anxiety provoking just thinking about it. I don't want to be in a situation where I'm up 21 hours a day cramming the week before finals.

I'm just not sure how to approach this and manage my time correctly, especially since material is going to continue to be added on until the first week of December. I would appreciate any advice, suggestions, or recommendations from those who have dealt with such situations.

Thanks.

 

[Mr Avante]

Study.
Study during the weekends.

 

[Nena01]

Study for your weakest subject first. If you really don't want to freak out, I would start looking over the notes from the beginning of the semester, just to freshen things up in your mind. You don't have to start cramming now, but since you're aware of what you're in for, your best bet is to start looking over stuff during the weekends.

With some planning and time management, you should be able to schedule your studying so you give yourself enough time for each subject, starting with the weakest.

 

[Reckoner]

Make a thorough study plan. Use the syllabi to figure out how many total chapters will be covered across all five classes. Divide this number by however many days you will need (let's say 30) and review that many chapters each day, starting with the oldest material. I've never been in this specific situation, but if it works for the MCAT I don't see why it wouldn't work here.

 

[deleted303591]

Write an elaborate schedule and stick to it. Give yourself at least two weeks to review for finals.

I use the Guaranteed 4.0 plan, and although it is difficult to format for certain science courses and is certainly time-consuming, it definitely helps you commit things to memory the first time around, so you are not in a panic at the end of the semester. But, doing the plan at this point of time may be a distraction, if you are already time-crunched.

 

[deleted303591]

Also, if you are taking all science courses, working problems (preferably in groups of people--saves time and makes the process more enjoyable) is going to be more worth your time than trying to re-read content.