Nothing inspires fear and anxiety in the minds of students more than a great exam. The desire to study is essential to overcome it, but it can be difficult without proper guidance. It is important to build good learning skills from the beginning of the school career, skills that will accompany you throughout the journey. Fortunately, studying is an activity that affects all levels of study and all students, so you can find help. Read on to get started.
Steps
Step 1. Calm down
Keep in mind that if you have a decent attendance rate and have done a good job doing the assigned tasks, you actually already have a lot of knowledge. This knowledge is essential and will help you throughout the exam.
- Don't panic. This feeling will only make the situation worse. You will focus on what you fear, not the upcoming exam. Many times, panic can even negatively affect your chances of passing an exam. If you're afraid, take deep breaths (try not to hyperventilate) and think you can.
- Be smart enough to understand that you need to study days, weeks, or months in advance. Although some people study the day before, and always do so, try to understand that a desperate study at the last minute is not the ideal way to learn, especially not for the sake of long-term preservation of the subject. Also, make sure you don't study too much! Take breaks of about 5-10 minutes between study sessions.
Step 2. Determine which materials need to be covered
Most exams cover specific subjects and topics, and it is important that you know which themes or components you need to study. Otherwise, you could misuse the precious remaining study time. Ask your teacher which topics will underpin the exam and which chapters you need to know. For example, what period of African history? Are diagrams important? Check with your professor if something is unclear, as his job is to help you progress.
- Study the most important topics first. Exams usually cover some basic idea, concept or skill. When you're short on time, focus your energies on the key pieces that the test will focus on instead of going here and there between books and notes. Reviewing the notes, the topics highlighted in the textbooks, and the parts that your professor has repeatedly highlighted gives you good clues as to what the main themes or components are.
- Find out how the test will be presented. What types of questions will you find there (multiple choice, writing an essay, verbal problem, etc.)? Try to understand how much each section counts. If you don't know, ask the professor. This will help you know what the most important parts will be and how the exam will be presented.
Step 3. Make a study plan
It might seem like a basic and simple task, but people planning study programs often find it easier to learn and find they have more time to relax. When making a study plan, consider the amount of time you have left before the exam date. Missing a month? Did the professor suddenly announce the test? Is it a mid-year exam scheduled from the start of the course? Depending on how much time you have, make the plan long or short.
- Determine which topics are darkest to you and include multiple study sessions focused on them. The aspects you know the most still need to be reviewed, but they will be easier for you, so try to focus on the ones that challenge you.
- Plan your time. Try to postpone everything, only to find yourself studying everything the night before the test. Instead, try to figure out how much time you will spend each day studying. Remember to take breaks into account as well. A good rule of thumb is to take a 10 minute break for every half hour of study.
Step 4. Find out which study methods work best for you
In general, study methods may involve the use of colors, images, brainstorming or mind maps. Some people learn and remember things better if they are written in certain colors, while others may remember diagrams and pictures more easily. Use whatever method works for you, whatever it is, provided it is effective. There is no point in reading a lot of paragraphs if your study method involves using diagrams. Remember, everyone has different methods of learning, what works for your best friend may not work for you.
- Use the tools that will help you study. Flash cards and other such tools might be boring, but they really help you memorize important things. If they don't seem right for you, writing a sketch of your notes might work.
- Attach the flash cards in random places to give yourself quizzes. This is a good way to assimilate even in moments not dedicated to learning (more on this below).
- Remember to study smarter, not harder.
Step 5. Take notes and ask questions
It is never too late and pre-exam sessions are usually devoted to reviewing study materials, which is what you need. If you are studying and happen to come to a part you don't understand, write it down. Ask your teacher for explanations in class or during office hours. And don't worry: you are not silly if you ask questions. Doing so means that you are actively paying attention and learning. Furthermore, a question asked in time could mean a better grade on the exam.
Step 6. Find your resources
Books, notes, online sources, classmates, professors, and maybe family members are all useful. The old assignments are especially important, as some exams have questions taken directly from them.
Step 7. Get help
You don't get bonus points for doing it all by yourself. Classmates can help you study, but choose someone who will make a real difference, not the friend you tend to hang out with. Talk to your parents, brother or sister; they might really appreciate this gesture of yours. Younger brothers and sisters especially like doing “quizzes” of older brothers or sisters!
Form a study group. Not only will you get the extra help, you will also get the benefit of studying with people you know well. However, avoid accepting those who will not be helpful and will only distract others from studying. Don't be rude or reject someone you don't like, but be careful when choosing who will be part of the group
Step 8. Memorize as much as possible
The key to top performance lies in the ability to learn all relevant materials. There are tricks to help you do this, including mnemonic ones, for example. They can include those based on poetry and rhymes, ideal for those who learn by hearing, on visual images and fantasy for those who learn visually, on dance and movement for those who learn kinesthetically (because muscles have memory).) or a combination of them. Repetition is another commonly used form of memorization. It allows you to remember more things if practiced at regular intervals. Exercise it even beyond the point where your memory works instantly, as it serves as a form of strengthening.
- For example, a common mnemonic trick is HOMES for remembering the Great Lakes of the United States. Another is to draw stick figures to represent vocabulary words (a good reason to have fun with colored pencils!). Create your own mnemonic tricks according to your needs.
- Try rewriting your notes to study. This is an effective way to memorize.
Step 9. Introduce study moments outside of your routine
Short and repeated study periods are often more effective than long ones. Review the flash cards while at the bus stop. Review the spleen diagram while you wait for breakfast to be ready. Read an important quote from "Macbeth" while brushing your teeth. Review the information before a class starts or when you have extra time at lunchtime.
Step 10. Reward yourself
Giving yourself a prize can help you fight to get over your milestone. Set rewards for each milestone and for the achievements, assigning their value based on what you have achieved.
Step 11. Get organized for the test
Make sure you have what you need for the exam the night before. If you need a number 2 pencil, a calculator, a German vocabulary and any other items, you need to put everything aside in time. The more organized you are, the calmer you will feel, and the more likely you are to take a good exam. Don't forget to set the alarm so you don't run the risk of not waking up.
- If you are allowed to bring food with you, put some gummy candies in your backpack in case you have a low sugar, but it's actually better to opt for fruit and vegetables, which are undoubtedly healthier. Apples and carrots can be a great snack that will help boost your brain.
- Bring a bottle of water with no stickers or labels (the teacher may suspect you are hiding answers).
Step 12. Eat right
Good nutrition is vital for optimal thinking. Try to steer clear of high-sugar and high-fat foods, such as ice cream and cookies. Replace sweet, sugary drinks with a glass of water, fruit juice, or fresh milk.
- Have a brain-boosting meal the night before. Fish is a great food because it nourishes the brain. Try accompanying it with fresh vegetables and pasta.
- Have a good breakfast. It will help you stay awake and alert. An example of a good breakfast includes a glass of juice, an egg, toast and some cheese. If you want to eat grains, make sure they are whole, avoid those full of sugars, or you may crash during the exam.
- Avoid drinking coffee, as it will only keep you awake for a short amount of time and give you a sugar rush. Once the caffeine has worn off, you won't be able to keep your eyes open. Taking a test while you are feeling sleepy is not recommended, so do not ingest caffeine or other such drinks before going to bed, otherwise you risk having a sleepless night.
- Be careful not to make abrupt changes to your diet; eat what you would normally consume on a regular school day in order not to disrupt your digestive habits.
Step 13. Get enough sleep the night before the big day
This step is extremely important and cannot be skipped. Without sleep, your chances of taking a good exam will drop quickly, because your brain won't be able to focus properly.
- If you can't sleep, try sipping some hot milk or tea, but make sure they are free of traces of caffeine!
- Don't alter your sleep habits. Go to bed at regular times in order to keep sleep patterns intact.
Step 14. Get to the exam on time
Set the alarm for the next morning, arrive on time or even a few minutes earlier. If it's a test that requires steps like a registration, paying a fee to take it, submitting your documents, and so on, schedule extra time for it.
- Try to have a positive attitude! Studying a lot but thinking you can't shine on the exam will reduce your chances of success. Visualize yourself getting incredible results, counting on all the preparation and attention you have given to your studies to get to this point. Security is the key!
- Aim high. Don't think that passing the test counts (if doing so is easy enough), aim for the highest possible grade. This way, you will get a better grade. Also, if the next exam doesn't go well, you'll still keep a good average.
Advice
- Keep in mind that you are intelligent and that you are not inferior to anyone. Be sure of yourself. If you study well, as advised, you will achieve your goals.
- If you've been away for a day and don't have any notes, diagrams, maps, and so on, don't wait until the day before the test or even the exam itself to read them. Obtain this information within the time frame allotted to the study.
- If the teacher writes certain points on the board, this is usually an important indicator of what the exam will be asked for, and you should write it down.
- Sometimes, listening to music while studying might help, but be careful of the types of songs you choose. Although classical music is an excellent choice, rock with unfolded guitars and pieces containing lyrics will not only distract you, they can also prevent you from remembering the answers you need to know.
- Some study guides that the professor will give you will not give you the questions that will be in the test, but the aspects that you will find there, on which you should have notes. If you don't have any notes on a topic, ask the teacher! Don't wait by asking yourself questions about it.
- If you still have trouble falling asleep, make sure you have eliminated all possible light sources. Close all curtains and turn off any light emitting devices. Night lamps are not recommended for those who have difficulty falling asleep with the light on.
- Avoid listening to music while trying to fall asleep, as this will only keep your mind active and won't help you sleep!
- Sometimes it is assumed that you know how to study, but this skill is learned. Ask your teacher, school psychologist, and your parents for advice if you think you need help. If you feel lost for this, remember that you are not alone.
- Sucking on a peppermint candy while you study will stimulate your mind, making it easier for you to memorize the facts you need to know.
- Study in a clean and tidy area, not in a place full of junk and loose papers. Put everything in its place. Pin the pencils and keep the erasers, pens, ruler, calculator, etc. close to you.
- Friends aren't always a reliable source for notes. You better ask the professor for them. The point is that the person who takes them writes what they think is important. Your friend may have a very different idea from you about what information matters.
- Don't keep looking at your cellphone, iPod, etc.! It is just a distraction while you are studying; you will surely be tempted to text your friends, listen to music, play games, etc.
- You don't have to procrastinate. You won't get good grades in exams if you do, and postponing everything is a serious problem for someone.
- When reviewing, try looking at old exams. While it is unlikely that the same questions will be asked, this allows you to test your knowledge and work on examination techniques and, most importantly, your punctuality.
Warnings
- In some cases, friends may not help you study. If you have lost some notes or have not been able to complete the essential tasks for the exam, your best chance is to contact the teacher. Studying the wrong way is one of the worst things you can do to prepare for the test.
- Speaking of procrastination, do not use the phrase "I will study later …", because you will only put off and you will never get on the books.
- Avoid studying like crazy the night before - it's not a good study habit. Next time, study constantly throughout the school year.
- Don't study so hard that you have a closed mind as soon as you see the test questions because you did everything the night before the exam and your brain is too stressed to function. Studying hard doesn't mean doing it to the point of total exhaustion.
- Don't stay up late to study. When you're short on time, study only the main details that will help you. If you have been up all night and learned what you could, the exam may not go well, because you will be exhausted from not sleeping.
- The summary books that you find in the library may be appropriate for learning better in addition to the notes, but remember that they cannot replace them.
- Study group meetings can turn into social events instead of academic ones. It may be helpful to ask an adult to monitor the progress of the study, perhaps a parent who knows the subject well can do it.
- Never cheat on an exam, no matter how desperate you are. Listen to your conscience. It can be worse to be caught cheating than to fail. You won't feel good even if you get promoted. You should come out of the classroom full of pride, aware that you have given your all. This is much better than false pride and having to put aside the nagging thought that you have deceived the professor and yourself.
- Never postpone the study, otherwise you will be reduced to doing everything at the last minute.
