Preparing for exams?
Give yourself the best chance with these top ten study tips.
1. Give yourself enough
time to study
Don't leave it until
the last second. While some students do seem to succeed on last-minute
'cramming', it's widely accepted that for most of us, this is not the best way
to get to an exam.
Setting out a timetable for your study is one of the most important prerequisites. Organize your
study accordingly to the date sheet. You may want to give some subjects more time than others,
so get yourself balanced.
2. Organize your study
space
Make sure you have
enough space to place your textbooks and notes out. Is the light enough? Are you comfortable with your chair? Are you well away from digital distractions?
Try to get rid of all sorts of distractions, and make sure you feel as comfortable and able to FOCUS as
possible. Think about what works for you the best, and take the time to get it perfect. Here is the chart for concentration cycle that might help you.
3. Use flow charts and
diagrams
Visual aids can be
very handy while revising. At the start of a revision, stimulate yourself to
write down everything you already know about a particular topic - and then note down where
the breaches lie. Closer to the exam, reduce your revision notes into single-page
diagrams. It would result in saving a lot of your precious time.
4. Practice on old
exams
One of the most
solid ways to prepare for exams is to practice old exams papers. This
helps you in a number of ways like getting used to the format of the questions, and - if you manage yourself -
can also be good practice for making sure you spend the right amount of time on
each section. Here comes the test of your managerial skills.
5. Explain your answers
to others
Don't let your parents and little
brothers and sisters to be harassing around exam time! Use them to
your advantage.Explain an answer to a argue to them. That will help you to
get it clear in your head, and also to highlight any areas where you need more
work.
6. Organize study
groups with friends
Get together with
friends for some study sessions. You may have questions that they have the answers
to and vice versa. As long as you make sure you stay focused on the topic for
an agreed amount of time, this can be one of the most effective ways to
challenge yourself. And remember FOCUS is the KEY to success!
7. Take regular breaks
While you may think
it's best to study for as many hours as possible, this can actually be
counterproductive. If you were training for a marathon, you wouldn't try and
run 24 hours a day! Similarly, studies have shown that for long-term possession of
knowledge, taking regular breaks really works.
Everyone's different,
so develop a study routine that works for you. Find the best time when you are more productive and develop your study cycle.
Try not to feel guilty
about being out enjoying some sunshine instead of ruining yourself with books. Remember vitamin-D is vital for a healthy and sound brain!
8. Snack on 'brain
food'
Keep away from junk
food! You may feel like you deserve a treat, or that you don't have time to
cook, but what you eat can really have an impact on energy levels and focus.
Keep your body and brain well-fuel-led by choosing nutritious foods that have
been proven to aid concentration and memory, such as fish, nuts, seeds, yogurt
and blueberries. The same applies on exam day - eat a good meal before the
taking test, based on foods that will provide a slow release of energy throughout.
9. Plan your exam day
Make sure you get
everything ready well in advance of the exam - don't leave it to the day before
to suddenly realize you don't know the way, or what you're supposed to bring.
Check all the rules and requirements, and plan your route and journey time.
Work out how long it
will take to get there - then add on some extra time. You really don't want to
arrive having had to run halfway or feeling exhausted from losing your way. You
could also plan to travel to the exam with friends or classmates, as long
as you know they're likely to be punctual!
10. Drink plenty of
water
As a last but not the least tip,
remember that being well hydrated is essential for your brain to work at its
best. Make sure you drink plenty of water throughout your revision, and
also on the exam day.
Good luck!
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