Countless hours will undoubtedly be devoted to studying this week, but a common argument is which study tactics work best. Study habits might vary based on the student, but there are some things experts always recommended.

Diane Mayes, University College academic advising director, said the most important things students can do to maximize their final grades is to start early.

“Let’s say you have five classes,” she said. “[I suggest that] one night you study two of them, the next night three, and start reviewing your notes every other day for every class.”

Mayes said to incorporate new notes everyday so by finals week, the information is there and has already been studied.

She also said it is usually suggested that students spend at least two hours a week studying out of class for every hour that they are in class.

The best time to study is typically in the morning because concentration is higher, Maggie Pool, health promotion coordinator said.

When to study is something students should decide for themselves though, she said. Mayes said some people do not feel like they are functioning fully until later in the day.

Mayes also said that unless students are “on a roll” they should switch subjects every hour with a ten-minute break to stretch or get a snack in between each subject.

Pool also said students should take breaks but should avoid doing unproductive things.

“Some activities may be too distracting for a study break,” she said. “Such as watching TV, talking on the phone or sitting down for a Facebook session. These activities may make you lose focus on your original project.”

Instead, Pool said students should stretch or take a quick walk, both of which will give eyes a break and help prevent muscle cramps.

Some students say they function better studying in blocks, though. Joshua Huff, philosophy junior, said he typically sits down and spends hours working with no breaks.

Flashcards, study groups and writing reviews are recommended, Mayes said.

“Study groups are good as long as they don’t become social events,” she said. “[They’re good] because you’re sharing information, and someone may have an idea or perspective that you haven’t had that gives you an insight that you previously hadn’t even considered.”

Huff said he writes review guides because it helps him remember the information if he can pull up a visual image of the paper in his mind when he’s answering questions.

“I memorize by seeing where it is on the page,” he said.

Mayes also said rewriting provides notes in students’ own handwriting, even using slang to describe concepts, is helpful.

“You know you’ve understood it if you’ve written it in your own language,” she said. “That means you’ve truly processed it and not memorized it.”

The amount of rest a student gets can also impact performance on exams, Pool said.

“Research shows that sleep deprivation takes a toll on memory and concentration,” she said. “Of course, getting enough sleep will not help you do better on a test if you are not prepared in the first place.”

Pool said she advises students to start preparing in advance and try to get at least seven hours of sleep the night before an exam.

Mayes said the most important study tip is to stop procrastinating.

“Unless you have a photographic memory and a speed reading opportunity, [studying at] the last minute just rarely works,” she said.

Studying right before an exam can be helpful or damaging to a student and there is no right answer, Mayes said.

“I was always reviewing my notes until the very end even if I’d been studying for weeks,” she said. “It was just almost a calming technique to try to reduce anxiety.”

Students who get anxious easily probably shouldn’t study the last few minutes before an exam, though, Mayes said.