I know vacation time is going on right now, but after vacations end we will have to face our biggest enemy – exams. After spending all our days having fun, we remember studying for exams when the last day comes. This last day is stress, anxiety and pretty much trying to fit every word in our brain. Exam preparation of this kind is very detrimental. Basic-level exams can be cleared like this, but not advanced ones. It’s time to get rid of the habit of last-minute preparation once and for all. In this article, we will be studying the best exam preparation for students.
1. The best way you can study is by planning and starting early. I know that sounds like no fun, but trust me, you will thank yourself later. Procrastination is the worst thing you can do to yourself, especially before exam season. We always feel like we will be able to do it just two days before an exam, but when those two days come, we are pretty much fighting for our lives. Starting early will give you a lot of time for preparation, and you won’t have to rush for any subject. Moreover, you will be able to focus on all your subjects at once. Covering your syllabus will become easy breezy!
2. Make yourself a study plan and make sure you stick to it. A good thing about study plans is that you can decide what to study, when to study and how much of it you need to study. You can do this by simply writing down all your subjects and ranking them according to how weak or strong you feel about knowing them. Make a study schedule for the whole week and focus on the subjects that are your weakest. You can also make daily study plans, but making weekly study plans does not suit you. Make an agenda for what you want to finish in a day and then how much time you want to finish it.
3. Your environment plays a huge role in your study habits. Loud, noisy environments usually distract us from studying as opposed to quiet, calm places. If you think you can study in the same room where your family is watching TV, then trust me, you are lying to yourself. Chances are that you will close your books and start watching TV yourself. Try to study when no one is around and make sure all your devices are switched off. If you cannot find a quiet nook in your home, you can find a nearby library or go to a friend’s house to study.
4. Get rid of passive learning techniques, such as re-reading things and rote learning. Passive techniques of learning are nothing but a waste of your time. They give you the illusion of studying, but at the time in time, you must have found yourself forgetting everything you studied. Instead, try employing active learning techniques in your study method. make use of note-making and flashcards for studying. Not only will they help you remember things, but you will also be able to revise things much more efficiently on the last day before your exam.
5. Practising with the help of past year questions is a great way of studying. It familiarises you with the pattern of the exam which is much needed for students who are writing their exams for the first time. Not only that, but it also helps you learn about your weak points. After you are done studying, try writing a past-year paper with the same time limit as the exam. This can act as a revision test, and you will be able to see what questions you need to focus on. If you are lucky, questions from the past year’s paper can also show up in your current paper.
6. Time management is a very necessary tool when it comes to studying. You need to be strict and allot your time to your subjects accordingly. Make sure to have a proper schedule and adhere to it strictly. Make a checkbox in front of every subject that you have to cover, and once you finish it, put in a tick mark. You will feel a lot of happiness and satisfaction with yourself once you put a checkmark in that box. Make sure that there are no distractions around you while you study. It is very tempting to open your phone and use social media, but always remember that studying is what will take you further in life.
7. You should work hard, but you should also take care of any stress or anxiety that might occur in the process of studying for your exams. Learn about stress management techniques and employ them in your daily life, especially before exam season. It is very easy to get carried away by the stress that comes with exams, but all that stress will only take time away from studying. Make sure to take breaks in between and keep hydrating yourself while studying. Exercise for 30 minutes at least 4 to 5 days a week to keep your body healthy and regulated.
8. A great way to study is by teaching others. It enhances, improves and helps you revise all the knowledge that you have gained. However, it is important to have clarity of concepts yourself first. Teach yourself all the things needed for your exams, and once you are done, test yourself by teaching other people. If you have any family member, who is or will be in the same grade as you, you can sit with them and teach them topics that they wish to know more about. This practice of teaching others works great in study groups.
These are eight very simple yet very efficient study tips. Make sure to come back to this article the next time you have exams and I’m sure you will pass them with flying colours!
