Exam time is frequently accompanied by tension and anxiety for the majority of us. Perhaps it’s because of our lofty goals, or what our parents demand of us, or simply because we’re afraid of the unknown.
“What will the questions be?” “Will I Even Pass?
Exam time can be highly nerve-wracking for most individuals, but it doesn’t have to be that way! Preparation is the key. “Failing to plan is preparing to fail,” as the popular saying goes. There’s no reason why you can’t feel confident about your tests if you make sure you’re prepared, comfortable, and in charge. Here are some of the top study techniques and tricks that many have found helpful.
Here are our top ten suggestions:
Prioritize Sleep
Closing your books and going to bed may seem paradoxical or even reckless, but studies show that having a good night’s sleep helps memory. According to studies, our brain organizes and enhances new memories when we sleep by storing them in long-term memory. That implies you’re likely to recall everything you examined before going to bed. We recommend getting between 7 and 9 hours of sleep per night in the days coming up to a major exam.
Take pride in the notes you’ve written.
It’s all too easy to write notes or draw arrows and stars all over the place. When you scribble down your notes, you may know exactly what you’re talking about, but when you go back and review them, you may not be so sure. It is critical to keep your notes organized and legible. When we’re reading jumbled notes and scribbles, our brains have trouble focusing. If necessary, update your study notes so they are clear and crisp, as an organized notepad mirrors an organized mind.
Make use of color-coding.
Feel free to highlight different colors or write with different colored pens once your notes are carefully laid out. Adding color to your notes could increase your visual memory and allow you to access knowledge from your brain more rapidly during a test, as long as your notes remain orderly and readable. Plus, having color-coded, ordered notes makes reading them a lot more enjoyable!
Make Your Routine More Fun
Looking at a long page of text can be intimidating and, let’s face it, dull – that is, unless you attempt the Hansel and Gretel method. Isn’t it even entertaining?
Every paragraph on the page should have a bite-sized piece of candy or any other item you prefer, such as a gummy bear, M&M, or even a nut next to it. You get to reward yourself by eating that piece of food once you’ve finished each paragraph. Positive reinforcement is an excellent method of motivating and assisting you in your learning. Because you’ll be having so much fun on your gastronomic adventure, reading each paragraph will become an adventure rather than a chore.
Play Some Tunes
Playing music as you work is another technique to make studying more interesting. However, not every piece of music is suitable for studying. Classical or instrumental music has been shown to not only not interfere with studying, but even to help it. Background music can help you focus during extended study sessions, and relaxing music can also help you relax and overcome pre-exam anxiety. Many people prefer the peaceful background music of a library to the stillness of an obnoxious sibling.
Listen to Recordings
It’s critical to use as many senses as possible in order to recall information correctly. As a result, students should aim to include other senses such as hearing in addition to reading and writing. Try to videotape some of your lectures while taking notes throughout the year, if possible. It’s beneficial to listen to recorded lectures, especially if you’re also reading your notes. It’s a fantastic method to refresh your memory and reinforce what you’ve learned in the past several months.
Become the Teacher
It is said that if you cannot simplify a notion, you can not comprehend it. A teacher’s role is to take complex ideas and present them in a straightforward manner. It’s far more difficult than it appears. It is possible to train and prepare your mind to explain complex concepts by teaching a friend the content you are studying. It also helps to underline any concepts you’re having trouble with so you can better understand them and simplify them. If your final includes a speech or presentation, teaching a friend is even more beneficial because it gives you the opportunity to practice.
Practice Old Exams
When it comes to practice, the greatest approach to prepare for an exam is to go over old material. Save your past tests if you can — they’re fantastic for studying! You can either retake past tests to review the topic or concentrate on the questions you got wrong earlier.
Take Regular Breaks
Consider quality rather than quantity. While you may believe that studying for as many hours as possible is the greatest way to learn, this is actually detrimental. Taking regular pauses has been demonstrated to help with long-term memory retention in studies. Try not to feel bad about spending your time outside instead of huddled over your studies. Vitamin D is essential for a healthy brain, so keep that in mind.
Keep Things Familiar
If you know where your finals will be held and you have the opportunity to study there, make use of it. Taking a test in a familiar setting will help you remember the knowledge you’ve learned and will make the experience less unpleasant.
If you don’t know where the test will be or can’t get there to study, pick a location that is comparable to the test day. Some folks are night owls while others are early risers. Some people like studying in groups, while others require pure silence. Experiment to see which way of studying works best for you, and then stay with it!
