When it comes to studying for an exam, there is no such thing as a one-size-fits all strategy that works for everyone.
Obviously, working hard at hitting the books is a common element for successful exams results, but study techniques will vary from one person to person, depending on the person’s personality type. Some like to have music playing in the background, while others must have absolute silence.
Here are some basic guidelines that can help just about anyone get ready for exams. Feel free to customize them according to your needs:
1. Put together a Countdown Calendar. Your calendar should start one month before the first exam is scheduled. For every day in the calendar, make a note of two subjects, or book chapters, as the case may be, to which you will commit half an hour of focused studying.
If you have certain subjects that are more challenging for you, allocate more half-hour sessions to them.
So each day, an hour of your time - most people would have no trouble setting aside one hour each day - will be reserved for studying. This should be a fairly stress-free way to prepare for tests.
2. Find your “study buddies”. If you want to do well at exams, find some like-minded friends. As a group, you will be able to motivate one another and keep each other’s quiet company at the library or the study desk. If you have some subjects in common, you can brainstorm with each other and discuss topics that might come up at exam. Just make sure you stick to studying, not socializing, when you’re with your study buddies.
3. Pay attention to what your instructors discuss closer to exam time. Oftentimes, teachers wll emphasize topics that they consider important, and which are likely to be part of the exam questions. Take lots of notes during lectures, and don’t hesitate to ask your teachers for help on any topics you may need help with. That’s what they’re there for! Sometimes, asking one key question and getting the right answer from the teacher can save you hours of research.
4. Some folks remembeer details better when they write them out, after they’ve read them. The brain works well with the fingers; tracing out works on paper seems to help with memory work.
5. Study when you’re at your best form. Forcing yourself to study when you are sleepy or tired is not going to help you learn quickly. You may find you will need to go over the material again later when you are more alert.
6. Find your favoirte and most effective way to study, with your feet propped up on a chair or sitting upright at the study desk, with or without music, sitting at a picnic table outdoors with trees and greenery around you…. whatever it is, try to recreate the environment that helps you best when you’re trying to concentrate.
7. Pay attention to what you eat. When you’re high on sugar or caffeine, you will have trouble retaining what you learn. Eat properly, and in moderate quantities. Make sure you follow the same advice before heading out to start exams.
8. Lastly, learn to motivate yourself: Think about the benefits that successful exams will bring you — a fun-filled vacation, a good-paying job, the feeling that you get from a job well done.
You know what you need to succeed better than anyone else does. Now go and find it!
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