Sadly enough, exams are right around the corner. *Sigh* This year, though we’re all going to ace them, right? Right?
Yes, you will! That is, if you prepare properly. Here’s are some of the most recommended tips for exam preparation. Remember, they may not all work for you, so chose some that do and stick with them.
When Studying:
- If you find that you keep re-reading a page over and over again, maybe you’re not studying to your full potential. Every person learns and absorbs information differently, so it’s best to study the way that suits you best. This is called your learning style. Generally, people fall into one of three categories, but you can just as easily have traits of both. These are auditory learners, kinesthetic learners and visual learners. To get a rough view of how you learn best, take this quick test!
- Once you have a rough understanding of the subject down pat, try studying with a friend. Voicing your thoughts, being able to bounce ideas around and quizzing each other is a great way to refresh your memory. Try this: have one person ask about something they don’t understand. The second person will then explain it to them until they grasp the concept. This helps both people: The person who didn’t understand now gets it, and the idea has also been cemented in the “explainer’s” mind.
- Take a break! Studies show that your brain can only take so much at a time, and then it stops absorbing information as well. A good habit to get into is to set a timer for 30-50 minutes (the timer is so you can concentrate on your material, not the clock), and when time’s up, take a ten minute refresher. Go outside and take a great big breath of fresh air, grab a snack, or go for a quick jog, these are all great ways to break the monotony of studying. Also, if you need motivation, you can take that time to check your Facebook, feeds, etc… Just remember, only ten minutes!
The day of the test:
- Eat a good breakfast! You’re probably nervous, and may have no appetite, but it’s important nonetheless. Having a full stomach means your mind is on the test, not on your growling belly.
- Take a water bottle. Staying hydrated keeps your brain running at full speed! Also, if you’re stuck on a question, sit back take a drink, and close your eyes for a second. This can really help clear your mind and get you back on track.
- If you’re really having trouble with a question or a set of questions, mark it and come back to it later. Lots of the time you’ll find that another question will have the key to what you were missing, or else it may just come to you. Better to spend time on questions you can answer than ones you can’t.
- Read the questions carefully to make sure they don’t say “Which one does NOT” or “Which is LEAST like”, etc… Simple, but important.
- If you’re allowed to write on the question booklet, do so. Then, once you’re all done, you can go back and make sure you put the same answers on the multiple choice sheet as you did in the booklet.
- If you go back and check you answers and you think one of them might be your second choice, think carefully. It’s best to go with your first answer, unless something else in the test point to the second one. Sometimes our subconscious has the right idea.
Finally, the golden rule of studying: DON’T LEAVE IT TILL THE LAST MINUTE! Cramming doesn’t help at all, as very little information gets past your short-term memory into your long-term, meaning you probably won’t remember it by the time the test rolls around. It also deprives you of sleep right before the test, making you less alert and much less likely to succeed.
Hey, if it’s from the Gentleman Scholar, you know it’s good advice. Best of luck on all your exams!
