Finals week. It can be exhausting, difficult and overall stressful. Students must study and prepare, but what are the best ways to prepare for final exams and comprehend information? Here are the top five ways to prepare for exams and study hacks.

Number five is if you study by typing things on the computer, type the words in Times New Roman font. This will help in studying because Times New Roman is the fastest font to read. Therefore, preparing for finals will be easier because students can read the font quicker and easier.

Number four is if students are more visual learners they should write their study notes in different color pens. Writing in different colors can help because color stimulates the creative side of your brain and makes the notes more interesting and therefore easier to retain. Also, color-coding links color with memory, allowing students to retain information better. Color coding helps in preparation for exams and is an effective study hack for students.

Number three is to chew gum while studying. It sounds very strange, but chewing gum causes higher test scores. Researchers conducted a study using undergraduates from St. Lawrence University to test the effects of chewing gum in relation to test scores. Serge Onyper who conducted the study and proved that chewing gum helps students remember two to three more words. This sounds like it would not improve test scores, but in reality remembering just two to three more words improves test scores. Chewing gum can help during exam week because chewing causes an increase in heart rate, blood pressure and blood flow to the brain causing students to remember more and improve test scores.

Number two is two write study notes using the Cornell method. The Cornell method is a systematic formula for condensing and organizing notes. The paper for notes is divided into two columns: one column for note taking twice the size of the other column that is filled with questions. Then a few lines are left at the bottom of the page for a summary of the notes taken. A study in 2007 from Wichita State University compared two note taking methods and the Cornell method was more effective because students had to synthesize information and apply learned knowledge rather than regular notes that are better for basic recollection of information.

And the number one method to prepare for final exams is to take breaks throughout studying. This is know as the Pomodoro technique that was developed in the late 1980s. It is where students study for 25 minutes and then take a five minute break. This helps in preparation for exams because it is based on the method that frequent breaks can improve mental agility.

These ways to prepare for exams and study hacks can help decrease the stress of students that is associated with finals week.