Finals started Dec.16, which means students have a few days to ensure their semester grades are where they want them to be before the break. Teachers will hand out any last unit tests and study materials for finals, but it’s a student’s responsibility to ensure they are prepared.

Here are five tips to make sure you’re prepared to take your next test:

Organize what to study by priority and space everything out with time slots

By giving yourself a schedule to study, students can plan brain breaks and ensure they have enough time for every class. According to the Northlake Behavioral Health System, being organized helps optimize study time and allows you to set goals for how much you wish to achieve. If you don’t reach your goal in the time you gave yourself, it could be a sign you need to try something new.

Learn keywords to associate with events or definitions

According to the Savvas Learning Company, studying words allows for fast recognition of texts. This is especially important in learning new languages, like if a student takes a second language because they can recognize what a question is asking and what answers mean.

Try making competitive Kahoots, Blookets or Quizlets to play with friends

Playing competitive games that make you answer questions works as a study guide that you can do with friends. The competition motivates them to win and memorize the material. Making accounts on Kahoot, Quizlet and Blooket are free, although students can upgrade accounts for subscriptions, which will get them exclusive tools.

Don’t study late at night, so you have time to rest for the day of the test

According to Ivy Wise, you don’t retain information when you aren’t getting adequate rest. This is because you don’t go through the sleep stage known as rapid eye movement (REM). Furthermore, it will cause you to be groggy in the morning and have a harder time focusing.

Write notes on paper instead of typing them

According to the National Library of Medicine, the feeling of writing with a pencil or pen relates to understanding words and material. In addition, writing with a digital pen rather than typing notes is still a more effective way of learning.