As finals season approaches, a senior at Wellesley College is offering practical, research-backed advice to help students maximize their study time and manage academic stress.
In a recent interview with journalist and author Harlan Cohen, which has been shared on his Instagram, the Wellesley senior, who also serves as an academic success coach on campus, highlighted two key study strategies: chunking and interleaving.
“Chunking and interleaving are both research-backed practices that we’ve been taught in our training,” she explained.
Chunking involves dividing the weekend or available study time into five distinct periods — Friday night, Saturday morning, Saturday night, Sunday morning, and Sunday night — and assigning specific activities to each block.
“For example, I take two of those chunks for schoolwork and studying, because I’m a student first,” she said. “Then, I reserve one chunk for socializing with friends, one for self-care like cleaning my room or calling my parents, and one more that I can adjust depending on my needs.”
This method, she said, helps maintain balance and prevent burnout.
Another key tactic is interleaving, which encourages students to study different subjects in alternating blocks rather than focusing solely on one topic for extended periods.
“It helps with retention and keeps your brain engaged,” she said, noting that spending around two hours on each subject has proven most effective for her.
As a student success coach, she also touched on the importance of seeking help.
“Everyone wants you to succeed,” she said. “The best way to succeed is to ask for help, especially in college. I know it can feel daunting when it seems like everyone else has it all figured out, but that’s not true. People are happy to help you.”
With final exams looming, her tip should be of great help.
For most US colleges and universities, the final period of the academic year, or the “final season” for students, is generally the spring semester. This typically runs from January or February through May or June, culminating in final exams and graduation ceremonies.
