We all experience the same feelings when the exam approaches. Nerves are inevitable, as you want to pass it with the highest grade possible. If there is one thing that can ensure success in your upcoming exams, it is to start studying in advance and make use of some of the most common study techniques to help you with it.
There are many effective study techniques that you can use to prepare for your upcoming exams. Choosing any of them and putting them into action will bring you much closer to passing that exam you have pending.
Plan your exam day
When preparing for an exam, students should think about the exam’s objectives, location, and time limit. Getting to the exam location on time is essential to passing it. It is also important to plan a route to know how long it will take them to get there and how to deal with traffic or other unexpected problems. You can also locate the best places to park your transport or some local places to eat and relax afterward.
Make a balanced study plan
Look through all the material you are about to study and divide it equally between the days left before the exam. You should also determine which areas you need to cover first and allocate time to each one. Once you have allocated time to each topic, try to make study notes after each session. Review the essential topics and work out which ones are harder to understand. Taking notes will help you recall the material more easily. If you feel that some topics are still hard for you, dedicate more time in your schedule to dig deeper into them.
Remember that an exam is more important than any of your regular study tasks, so you have to prepare harder for it. If in case of some minor homework, you can just ask someone else, “Hey, could you do my paper for me, please,” this tactic will not be useful on exam day. You are the only one who can pave the way to success, so make sure to get enough time for preparations.
Take notes carefully
Taking notes while studying for an exam helps memorize the material. It is important to keep them as concise as possible and not to copy the book word by word. Write down new information you learn and retain it best by structuring your notes as questions and answers and marking them with colors. Then, review your notes as if you were taking the test. You may even want to include diagrams or symbols.
Writing down a summary after class or a study session is also important. Make sure to fill in blanks and summarize the essential information you learn. Follow the syllabus and incorporate examples, personal tips, and visuals. Re-work your notes when you have to review them in the future. You might also want to cover some of your notes with a clean sheet of paper while revising to test your understanding. You can also explain the material to yourself. This way, you’ll be more likely to remember it.
Organize test review sessions
Studying gets more interesting if you organize a review session among a small group of your classmates. To do this, you should all prepare the best or most useful questions, share them with each other and try to look for an answer through a live discussion. You can also implement the gamified approach in this process to make it more exciting and raise interest in the subject of your studies. However, make sure that students do not ask the same question twice.
It is a good idea to schedule the collaborative review sessions a day or two before the exam so all of you can plan your study time and focus on areas that need clarification. Another way to make review sessions effective is to involve in a game or activity that requires critical thinking. A fun game like Jeopardy or any pop quiz can help you reflect on what you know, and this will benefit you during the actual exam day.
Focus on mono-tasking
You can learn how to study for an exam by following a few simple rules. First, avoid multi-tasking and try to focus on one thing at a time. During tests, you will probably make more mistakes and get less done when distracted by other things. Secondly, avoid chatting on social media while you are studying. Lastly, find a place where you can be most productive without being distracted by others. By focusing on one task at a time, you will be able to develop your skills as a mono-tasker and will feel freer to enjoy life.
Quiz yourself
You might think taking notes and re-reading them is the best way to prepare for an exam. However, this is actually the opposite. Reading is passive while studying is active. By quizzing yourself, you ensure you actively think about the material you have read.
Before self-quizzing, you should be certain of the format of the test. Ask your instructor about this before you begin. For example, study for a multiple-choice exam differently than an essay one. You should also practice retrieval if you are studying for a test that includes multiple-choice questions. Likewise, review the key equation in your notes several times before the exam if you are studying for a geometry exam.
You should take the quiz many times to ensure you have completely understood the material. Do not look at your notes or answer keys while taking a quiz; rather, write out the answers to each question you missed. It helps to memorize the information better if you speak the answers aloud. It is also essential to take a sample test or two and re-do any problems you’re having.
Rewrite your own notes
Rewriting notes to study for an exam is an excellent way to improve your overall grade. Not only will you make your notes more comprehensive, but you’ll also be able to incorporate visual illustrations and tables into them. Rewriting your notes will also help you learn the material better, as you can translate the lecture material into your own words. Rewriting will also help you clarify any questions and ensure that you fully understand the subject.
The first step in rewriting your notes is to evaluate the material you already know. If there is any information you don’t understand, you should make an extra note of it. You can also shorten the material you already know and elaborate on the information you don’t. This will save you time, as you won’t be repeating information that you already know. If you don’t know something, you can ask someone else to read your notes and clarify it for you.
Another effective way to study for an exam is to rewrite the material as often as possible. This will force your brain to process information in a more detailed way, helping it load into memory.
Take breaks
Taking study breaks is essential to maximizing your productivity and maintaining motivation. A break can range from 10 to 20 minutes, depending on how long you are studying. A five-minute break after every half-hour to an hour is a good starting point. You may want to take a more extended break for longer study sessions, but remember to keep it short and sweet. Here are some tips for getting the most out of your study break:
- Create a study plan that includes regular breaks. Set a timer and go for a walk. This will help you stay on track, relax, and recharge your body and mind. Do not forget to set another timer so you know when you should get back to studying. This way, you won’t subconsciously start mulling over your work or stressing over a deadline. And as a bonus, you’ll be able to maximize the benefits of your breaks!
- Take breaks frequently. Studies have shown that taking regular breaks will help you retain more information. You can even take a power nap if you’re feeling overly overwhelmed. Taking breaks will benefit your brain and your overall success! If you can take a break every day, you’ll be much more likely to be successful. Just be sure to schedule a break every few hours or so.
