As exam season rolls around, there’s lots of talk about different studying methods and techniques. But one of the hardest things about this isn’t studying itself – it’s having the motivation to get started! So here are some tips for you to use if this is something you struggle with.
Divide Up the Material
Often, the most overwhelming part of studying (especially for a final or diploma) is the sheer amount of material you have to get through. Before you dive in, take the time to skim through it and divide things up. Maybe that means into units. Maybe that means into chapters. Or concepts or topics or whatever works for you.
Set Manageable Goals
In the same vein as splitting things up, make your goals manageable. Trying to take on too much will only make it harder. Set smaller goals: instead of resolving to memorize an entire unit in one sitting (believe me, I’ve tried), try to develop an understanding of each individual chapter. Instead of trying to ace the practice exam in one go, start by going through old assignments, practice questions, essays, and/or exit slips. Take note of the subheadings and bolded words in the textbooks and notes and slideshows. Break things down accordingly. Build up your understanding like this, gradually and meticulously. Commit things to your long-term memory instead of cramming it into your short-term memory. Of course, this is all easier said than done, and has the fatal flaw of being time and energy consuming.
Positive Reinforcement – [And Take Breaks ;)]
Rewarding yourself for your hard work might feel weird at first, but it helps to motivate you and help your brain associate studying with something positive and fulfilling. Some people like to stop every few dozen minutes to have a snack or watch an episode of a show they like. I personally do not have the self control to stick to watching just one episode, so I like to power through a larger chunk of studying, then take a longer break to eat, stretch, and do something entertaining. Experiment with it, and figure out what works for you, your brain, and your body!
Time Management – Not the Way You Think!
Time management in terms of studying is often associated with not procrastinating and starting your review a few days or weeks in advance. But it is also important to manage your time on a smaller scale. Although it is different for each person, ultimately there is only so much time that you brain can spend honed in on one thing. Taking on too much in one sitting will not help you to retain information. Especially if you do not find it particularly enjoyable. I for one cannot dedicate more than three hours max. in one sitting (even with breaks). I prefer to split up sessions throughout the day, maybe one in the morning if I have a review period at school, one in the afternoon, and one at night. Of course, it’s not always easy with other time commitments. Others adopt a method like the Pomodoro Technique, where you study for 25 minute intervals and take five minute breaks in between sprints. Once again, the most important thing is to experiment with different methods and figure out what works for you. …Just try not to procrastinate and squish three days of seven-hour study sessions in the last days before the test. Your brain will not like that.
Set Aside a Space
Another tip is to prepare the good study space before you start. A clean, organized space with good lighting, preferably at a desk that mimics the environment where you’ll be taking the test actual exam. This is good for many reasons, including but not limited to minimizing distractions, calming you and creating a good mindset, and helping your body associate what you study with the environment where you studied it. and serve as a trigger for your memories. A clean and quiet space can be difficult to access and maintain for many people (I would know, living in a multigenerational household and sharing a room no less), but a good environment can be one less stressor. There are always public libraries, cafés, and maybe even study clubs at school.
Healthy Stress Levels
Stress is a healthy emotion. It helps motivate and strengthen you as a person and a student. However, there is a threshold over which it begins to get overwhelming, unhealthy, and inhibits your ability to get things done. Managing your stress, taking breaks, trying not to pressure yourself, and knowing that one test or one class is not the end all be all of your entire life are all crucial to maintaining a healthy emotional state during stressful times. I myself am still working on this, but for all of us, acknowledging and trying is always the first step. And as we have acknowledged here, the first step is often one of the hardest.
Conclusion
By the time this comes out, it will be about halfway through exam season. To those who have finished some or all of their exams, good job. You did your best. If you’re unhappy with your results, it doesn’t mean you can’t still achieve your goals. Just don’t be too hard on yourself. For those who are yet to take their exams, good look! Do your best. Don’t forget that you can only do your best. You can extend the threshold of what your personal best is, but forcing yourself can do more harm than good. Good luck! Thank you for reading.