Studying for an exam or test can be difficult and stressful. For many, the problem is staying focused on what they are trying to achieve. However, there are short and simple steps to follow that can help you focus while studying. By reading this article, you will find out how.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Part 1: Things to do
Step 1. Find a suitable study environment
The room or classroom at school is not always the best place. Find a nice, quiet place with a comfortable and spacious chair; for example the living room, possibly where television, computer and cell phone are not at hand.
The library is usually a good place to study because it is quiet. Your parents' office can be an alternative, as long as it's quiet and with few distractions
Step 2. Before you start studying, gather all the material you need
Avoid having to search for pens, highlighters, ruler, etc. in the middle of the studio. This can be a big distraction. Prepare everything you need before you begin.
Step 3. Find a study partner
Choose someone who is as sensitive and focused as you are at work. Sometimes it is best not to choose your best friend, as you will end up chatting all the time and both of you are distracted. Having a fellow student is a great way to compare ideas and look at things from a different perspective.
- Some people consider a fellow student more like one distraction. If you are an outgoing person, that is, if you enjoy being with others and love to converse, a fellow student will probably not be the best choice for you. If, on the other hand, you are an introvert, you like, that is, to be alone and you are a little shy, a partner could just be the one for you. But be careful that your partner is not so outgoing that they spend all their time chatting while you try to study.
- Choose someone smarter than you. It might seem trivial, but many underestimate this aspect. If you want to learn, choose a partner who is intelligent, dedicated, and willing to teach you things. Your study moments will be much more productive.
Step 4. Get snacks suitable for the review activity
No energy drinks or coffee, because you will collapse anyway, sooner or later. Cereal bars, fruit and water are fine, as they are simple foods and excellent sources of carbohydrates.
Step 5. Take short breaks
After studying for 45 minutes, take a 10 minute break and get distracted. Try to resume studying after the break; the interval should not last more than 20 minutes.
- Schedule breaks using an alarm clock. If you plan your breaks, you won't forget to take them in the first place, and more importantly, you will be less likely to take too many breaks "by mistake".
- Why take breaks? The brain needs a recharge after processing a lot of information. Studies have shown that taking breaks and moving around a bit improve memory and simple test results.
Step 6. Find a way to motivate yourself
If you review well and prepare for the exam, you will do a good job. Prepare yourself so well during the review that you can even have fun during the exam. Don't think of the exam as something complicated, but consider it as a chance to challenge your learning ability.
- Set a goal, even if it's a little unrealistic. Encourage yourself to do more than you think you can - who knows, you might be amazed.
- Motivate yourself with a reward. This takes some self-control. If you need help, reach out to someone who has an authority role. Establish a reward for studying well, being prepared and doing well on the exam.
- Tell yourself why studying is important. This is different for each of us. Maybe you care about getting that good grade. Maybe you are really interested in the subject you are studying. Maybe you made a bet with your dad and you don't feel like losing it. Whatever the reason, remind yourself why you're putting in so much effort, and why it's worth it.
Step 7. Sit down and study
You have everything you need in front of you and there is no longer any reason to put it off. It's just you with your material. Then? What are you waiting for?
- Use flash cards and notes. Flash cards are helpful for some people, as they contain important information in a limited space. Use them if you feel like they are an advantage for you. Sequence them or order them in a specific pattern to make them more meaningful.
- Use memorization tools. Compose a song with some of the information, or put it in an acronym, to help you remember what you want to learn.
- Make sure you learn the most important notions, then move on to everything else. Study and understand the fundamentals before extending the study. This will allow you to acquire a basic level of understanding on which to build further.
Method 2 of 2: Part Two: Things to Avoid
Step 1. Don't panic
If you panic, you will make mistakes. Stay calm all the time. If you make a good plan for your review, you will be able to avoid panicking at the time of the exam. Take a deep breath, tell yourself "I can do this", and try to be calm.
Step 2. Minimize computer use
Especially the Internet. You will learn best if you write by hand. Also, avoid using your cell phone, otherwise you will find yourself replying to text messages every two seconds and getting distracted.
Disable your internet connection if you know that otherwise you will be tempted. Turn off your computer or ask a friend to keep it for you. Basically, try to make sure that you don't waste your time on the internet when you should be studying
Step 3. Don't listen to music unless it helps you study
Some study better with music. But be careful not to distract your mind while you are studying. An extra distraction, even if it's quiet music, is something more your brain will have to process, in addition to the information you are trying to learn.
Step 4. Don't go off topic
It happens to everyone to go off topic every now and then. This may be due to the fact that the subject to be learned is a boring subject, or what we should not learn is too interesting. In any case, defer to when you have finished studying the essentials, before delving into and exploring other subjects.
Always ask yourself this question: How likely is it that this information is needed for my test? If you are really focused, you will be able to classify the study material based on whether it is likely to be an exam subject or not. This will allow you to devote most of your time to the topic that is most likely to be a question during the test
Step 5. Don't lose heart
Studying for an exam can be daunting, especially early on. Break the study into easier to manage parts and don't try to learn everything perfectly on the first try. Remember that the purpose of this is to "learn", not to win a competition. If you have trouble understanding a certain concept, try trying to understand the "bigger picture". This should make the details easier.
Advice
- Set up a dedicated room, without distractions. To be able to stay focused, having a simple room with no TV or computer and other distractions is a great help.
- Establish a study plan for the different subjects (for example: math at 6:30; English at 7:30 and so on).
- Eat healthy food that energizes your brain.
- Buy some earplugs so you don't get distracted by unwanted noises.
- Keep a positive attitude and smile as you write your answers.
- Try not to listen to music with text. You will find yourself thinking about the words or how much you like that particular song or not.
