When exam time rolls around, you should get yourself prepared. The only way to be ready for the most difficult tests of the semester is by doing the proper amount of studying. If you follow these ten tips, you are sure to stay alert and focused, ready to retain all the information you need to pass with flying colors.
Make Sure You Have Enough Study Time Scheduled
Never wait until the last minute to study for your exams. Chances are, you are going to have more than one to take in a short period. Get yourself organized. Make a schedule listing all your exams and when you have to take each one. Then, give yourself an adequate amount of time to study for each one. In subjects that you struggle, save more time in your schedule to study.
Get Your Study Area Ready
It is easy to get distracted when trying to study because, let’s face it, that’s the last thing you want to be doing. Make sure that you have good lighting, a comfortable seat, all of your supplies, and enough room to spread out your exam materials. Also, put away your phone, tablet, music player, or anything else that might take your attention away from the task at hand.
You have to know in what environment you study the best. Some people work well in messy areas while others can only concentrate if they keep everything set up neatly. You know who you are, so set up your area accordingly.
Visuals Are a Great Study Tool
Like with writing essays, visual aids can be extremely helpful when studying a topic for exams. Start with the subject that you are trying to study and focus on that alone. Write down everything that you can think of surrounding that topic. Then, go back and find out where there is missing information. Use your textbooks and other notes to fill in the gaps. As you start to get the details down, turn it all into a flow chart that you can easily see, something like this. It will be simpler to remember those images when you sit down to take the exam.
Review an Old Exam
If you have already taken an exam in the subject that you are working on, dig it out and review it. There is a strong possibility that the next test is going to be very similar. By going over the old one, you can get a good idea of the how the questions will be formatted. You can also set a timer to make sure you give yourself enough time finish each section of the exam.
Find Someone to Help
You don’t have to necessarily shut everyone out during exam study sessions. Instead of trying to do it all by yourself, enlist the help of someone close to you to go over your answers with. By discussing them with someone else, you will have a better idea of what you are going to put on the test. Circle up any of these people to help:
- Mom or Dad
- Brother or Sister
- Best Friend
- Classmate
- Boss
- Co-workers
- Anyone that will listen!
Join A Study Group
All around your school there are other kids cramming for different exams too. See if you can find one that would like to take on a new member. Spend your time together working on asking and answering questions about the information you have learned. Stay focused on what your goals are. If you can’t find a group, form your own.
Don’t Overdo It
You may think that in order to pass your exam, you have to study non-stop until the day that it gets passed out. Doing this can hurt you. You need to figure out a study routine that works for you which includes breaks for meals, exercise, sleep, and social interaction. Don’t feel guilty about taking time for yourself. Think of it as a way to get recharged and ready to study again even harder and longer the next time you sit down to go over the details of your exam.
Stock Up on Healthy Snacks
Your brain has to be operating at top-notch functioning when you study for an exam. Just like when you spend hours on research for an academic essay, it’s common to want to eat when you are working so hard. Instead of loading up on junk food, have healthy snack options available to you. There are several that have been proven to improve memory and aid in concentration including:
- Blueberries
- Yogurt
- Seeds
- Nuts
- Fish
Sugar sounds good, and it may even give you a momentary burst of energy before your exam, but your best bet is to do your eating with foods from this list.
Map Out Your Exam Day
You don’t want to waste your time, energy, or brainpower on exam day waiting in traffic because you chose the wrong route or be fumbling around your pack because you don’t have all the necessary materials. Plan in advance exactly what exam day is going to bring. Write it down and go over it along with your study materials. After you are confident that you will be ready to take the test, you can spend more time working on the course materials.
Stay Hydrated
Finally, make sure that you drink a lot of water. This is one of the ways your brain is going to work better. Follow this all-important tip while you are studying, and on the day of the exam.
As long as you remember to follow this advice the next time an exam gets scheduled, you are sure to get the best possible grade that you can when it’s time to put pencil to paper.
