4 Tips to Help You Study for Finals (Like an Astro Bot Pro!)

Astro Bot recently won Game of the Year, and it’s easy to see why. The game’s success is all about strategy, focus, and tackling challenges level by level. Just like Astro Bot players navigate complex levels, you can conquer finals with the right approach. By breaking down your study sessions, staying focused, and using these study tips, you can level up your study game and ace your exams—just like the Astro Bot team did (Japan Studio and Team Asobi), by creating a compelling and immersive game. 

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Obligatory Note on Cramming

You’ve heard it before, but we’ll say it again: STOP CRAMMING.

Cramming is stressful, it’s boring, and it doesn’t work. If you’re really lucky, maybe you see a bump to your score on finals day, but you won’t have really learned the information. Cramming only produces short-term results. By the time class starts up again next semester, you’ll have forgotten half of what you learned.

There are so many better ways to study for finals!

Finals Study Tip #1: Break the Procrastination Cycle

Procrastination is like getting stuck on a challenging puzzle or enemy in Astro Bot. You know what needs to be done, but the task feels daunting, so you hesitate. In the game, Astro might find himself paused in front of a tricky obstacle, waiting for the perfect moment to act—but progress only happens when you take that first step.

Here’s how to break the cycle and move forward with your studying:

Identify Roadblocks: Just like spotting a tricky enemy pattern in Astro Bot, recognize what’s holding you back. Is it fear of failure? A distracting environment? Addressing these will help you act.

Take Small Actions: In Astro Bot, Astro uses tools or power-ups one at a time to solve puzzles. Break your studying into smaller, manageable steps to build momentum.

Minimize Distractions: Focusing on the task at hand is essential. Similarly, create a study zone free from distractions like your phone or social media.

Celebrate Each Win: Every solved puzzle or defeated enemy in Astro Bot is a step closer to victory. Celebrate your progress in studying—whether it’s finishing a page of notes or mastering a tough concept.

Procrastination feels big and overwhelming, but like Astro, you can tackle it by focusing on the next action. Push through the hesitation, and you’ll find yourself advancing to the next “level” of your finals prep.

Click here to book a session with one of our expert tutors who can help you overcome procrastination and implement the best study tips for finals. 

Finals Study Tip #2: Study Actively, Not Passively

Astro doesn’t just wander around aimlessly. He interacts with his environment, solves puzzles, defeats enemies, and uncovers hidden treasures. Every action he takes brings him closer to completing his mission.

When it comes to your finals, you need to be just as active. Here’s how:

Work with Friends: Just as Astro relies on teamwork in some challenges, studying with friends helps you gain new perspectives and fill in gaps in your understanding.

Create Study Guides: Think of this as building your toolkit, just like Astro collects gadgets. Summarizing and organizing information reinforces what you’ve learned and prepares you for the “boss battle” of finals.

Test Yourself: Astro doesn’t succeed by guessing—he masters his skills through trial and error. Quizzing yourself or practicing problems helps you identify weak areas and improve.

Connect Concepts: Just like Astro uses multiple tools and abilities in combination to progress, layering concepts together strengthens your understanding and makes it easier to recall information under pressure.

Finals Study Tip #3: Take Breaks

Frequent breaks help your brain process what you’ve studied and move it into long-term memory—just like taking a breather before tackling the next challenge in the game.

How to Take Effective Breaks:

Set a Timer: Focus for 25–50 minutes, then take a 5–10 minute break, like completing a short level in Astro Bot.

Move Around: Just as Astro springs into action after a rest, a quick walk or stretch can refresh your energy.

Do Something Fun: Whether it’s playing a quick game or grabbing a snack, choose an activity that helps you recharge without pulling you into procrastination mode.

Remember, studying nonstop will wear you out, just like playing too long without a pause drains your energy. Taking breaks makes the journey to finals success more manageable—and keeps you at the top of your game!

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Finals Study Tip #4: Sleep!

Gamers need their rest to level up, and so do you! Sleep is critical for memory retention and mental clarity, so make sure to get enough rest during your finals prep. Sacrificing sleep might seem tempting, but it can ultimately hurt your performance. If you thought prioritizing sleep was not one of the most important study tips, think again! 

Click here to get guidance on creating a study schedule that includes rest and maximizes learning potential! 

Want More Study Tips?

Check out these posts for more study tips that work:

• 5 Study Skills to Master, According to Science
• 4 MORE Study Skills to Master, According to Science