It's probably OK to bomb your finals...
Research shows that most employers don't pay attention to GPA. But mom and dad might, so use these study tips.
There’s no way to sugarcoat it: Being a senior in college is stressful. Not only do you need to manage a ton of current school responsibilities, but you also have to consider your future—like that little thing called finding a new job.
Because the college gods definitely have a sense of humor, they also put finals smack in the middle of this stress-filled, pressure cooker time of your life.
But when it comes to getting your first job, your finals might not matter that much. According to a recent report by the Chronicle of Higher Education, GPA is one of the attributes employers consider least important when hiring new grads. What do they rank above your grades? Internships, college jobs and volunteer work.
However, you don’t want to totally bomb your finals (mom, dad and grad schools don’t love that), so before you take your eye off the academic prize, we asked some college pros for their top study tips to help you sail through finals—so you can focus on your job search in the new year.
Study with your squad
Fact: Studying with friends is more fun than studying solo. And there are academic benefits to group study, says Todd Cherches, an adjunct assistant professor at New York University’s School of Professional Studies.
“One of the best ways to learn something is not to just memorize, but to test your memory,” says Cherches. He recommends quizzing each other so you have to explain what you’ve learned out loud, which helps cement them to memory.
Beyond quizzing, an even better way to learn something is to teach it to someone else. “When you are able to do that, you know you have mastered [the topic],” he says. (Just be sure not to add “professor” to your resume.)
Space out your studying
When it comes to balancing school, the job search and everything else you’ve got going on, time management is key.
“Your brain retains information better when information is presented gradually,” says Zack Robinson, chief geek at Test Geek, a Colorado-based test preparation company.
Plan ahead and schedule short amounts of study time in your calendar instead of frantically cramming in the library over lukewarm coffee.
If you realize you need 20 hours to prepare for a huge final, Robinson recommends breaking it down into 18 one-hour sessions over a few weeks and a two-hour study sesh before the test. “You would have a much better grasp on the material than you would if you spent that 20 hours on a few intense cram sessions,” he says.
Use a similar strategy for job search activities. Set aside blocks of time to go to networking events, prepare for interviews and customize your resume and cover letter for each job.
Practice active note taking
“Unless you’re a court stenographer whose job is to take dictation,” says Cherches, “your goal is not to transcribe verbatim every single word your professor says, but to capture the key concepts for your own understanding.”
Get creative with note-taking strategies that help you conceptualize and remember the information. “Whether you’re using bullet points, drawing, sketching, mind-mapping, doodling, color-coding or using any other technique,” says Cherches, “when you actively engage with the material, you are more likely to grasp it and remember it.”
Go to office hours
Your professor’s office hours aren’t only for that moment when you need to humbly ask for a letter of recommendation. His or her door is open to help you while you’re still a student trying to make halfway decent grades, so reach out!
Plus, your professors could turn into mentors and sponsors after graduation—if you get to know them now. Linda S. Boettcher, director of academic advising for Villanova University’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences notes that visiting office hours will allow you to create stronger relationships with your professors.
“If you make an effort to get to know a few professors well each semester, you will have people who can write letters of recommendation when you graduate,” Boettcher says. (And if you’re late to the game, it’s okay. Reconnect with former professors, or make an extra effort this semester.)
Get your Zzzzzzzs
Studies have shown that sleep deprivation can lead to lower grades, so if you’re averaging less than six hours a night, schedule some slumber time, stat. That alone could help lift your grades, and it’s the least stressful thing you can do.
“Getting a goodnight’s sleep is important to staying healthy and being alert,” says Susanne Fenske, vice president for student affairs at Clarion University of Pennsylvania. She recommends seven to eight hours of sleep, instead of pulling all-nighters during finals week (as hard as that sounds).
Training yourself to be a good sleeper now will also benefit you later in your professional life, because once you land that first post-graduation job, you’ll need to be at your best in order to make a great impression.