How do I study for Geology?

[Connor B]

I have my final on Monday night in Geology and it's on the whole book, and covers everything from plate tectonics, glaciers, earthquakes, oceans, deserts, and much more. Do you have any tips on how to cram all of it? When I was studying Western Civ last year, we had a map quiz, and I played this type of "game" where it would keep quizzing you on all of the countries and it was actually kind of fun (and I was learning, who would've thought that was possible?) So is there any easy way to study all of this stuff? Thanks!

[Mark V]

Yes, the sure fire way to learn and do well on your final exam is to have paid attention in class and done your homework, and studied your textbook and notes for the rest of the 90 or so days of the semester.

A final exam covering the entire field of geology could cover anything, and geology is a huge field of "anything" to learn before Monday. I guess, learn your rock cycle, geologic time scale, how each rock forms, important minerals, and so on. Maybe if you hit the big concepts, you'll figure out the details.

But yeah... cramming sucks. At best, you pass your exam, but they retain absolutely no knowledge after the class is over and done with, and you've moved on. In which case, what was the point of going to class? Anything that you can learn, about anything, is a good thing to know.