Exams can be very stressful for students. The pressure to do well in every subject can make everyone frustrated. When you need to cram hundreds of pages of study material into several study sessions, this can seem impossible.
But, it isn’t, really. Certain things can be done to study effectively for your exams. In this article, you’ll learn about the five most effective techniques for exam preparation.
1. Find a Tutor
This sounds like the most obvious solution, but many don’t even consider it when they sit to study for exams. A qualified tutor can help you master the material in half the time. If your parents or peers cannot help with your schoolwork, you might find it much better to work with a professional.
To find qualified tutors to help you master the material better, try reputable sites like Preply. Such sites give students access to a knowledgeable person at any moment. With the help of an expert in your subject, you can pass examinations easily and get answers to all of your questions.
Tutoring can do many things for a student. It won’t just strengthen your comprehension of the subject, but it can also boost your confidence and help you develop better learning skills. This is a more individualized form of education that most students can never get in the crowded classroom – and with the generalized curriculum.
2. Give Yourself Time
Studying requires time – and a lot of it. Many make the mistake of trying to remember all the material in just a couple of days, or even the night before the actual exam. If you aim to be at the top of the class, this has to change – and fast.
Starting now, make it your mission to prioritize your academic assignments. If you leave things until the last minute, you won’t just lack the time to study. You’ll also be more pressured, which can seriously destroy your productivity and focus.
Time management and organization are your two best tools while at school. This is the point in life when you need to prioritize. Take a bit of time every now and then to study for a test you have coming, even if it’s weeks away.
How can you find the time for all this?
It only takes minutes of your day to craft a schedule and when you have one, you’ll realize that time was never a real issue. Your schedule will tell you what exams are coming when your papers are due, and how much material you have to go through. To prepare for exams, schedule smaller chunks of the material on different days.
3. Find the Perfect Study Space (and Time)
Where and when you study can determine your sessions’ success. Just think about it. When you study with your family in the room, isn’t their conversation distracting? When your phone rings, don’t you stop learning just to check it?
Can you study in a room that’s too hot? Or in a library where it’s too quiet? All people have their productive places and environment. Now is the time to find yours.
Start by fixing up your current study place. If you already have a desk at home or study at the library, make sure that you have enough space for all your things. Clear out the junk food and the mess, turn off the distractions, and set the right temperature and lighting.
It doesn’t help? Maybe it’s time for a change. Change your scenery until you find your most productive place – and time. People are at their most productive state at a certain time of day. For some it’s morning and for others is night.
Once you know what your perfect spot and time are, enter these into your schedule when you plan your studying sessions.
4. Breaks are Important
Do you have the habit of studying for as many hours as you can possibly pull off? Many do this, but it’s a very wrong approach. After a while, your brain needs its rest. Study for an hour and you’ll notice that it becomes harder to retain the information. This is a sign that you need a break.
It doesn’t have to be a big one. It doesn’t even have to be after an hour. People are different, so create your individualized-study routine.
If you chose to study in the mornings, take a breakfast break after a short study session. Take the next break to do a bit of exercise. Walk around the block. Spend a bit of time with your family. Whatever works for you, do it. But don’t skip on your breaks, not if you want to study effectively.
5. Take Good Care of Yourself
You might feel like taking time off studying to prepare a healthy meal is a luxury or a waste, but it isn’t. There’s no good excuse for not taking care of yourself. Eating unhealthy foods, not sleeping enough, and being inactive can prevent you from studying effectively.
Proper nutrition and a healthy lifestyle don’t require much effort or time. It takes pretty much the same amount of time to prepare a healthy salad as it does to choose and order a hamburger. Not to mention, proper nutrition has a big impact on your focus and energy levels. Junk food does not.
The same applies to sleep. If you spent the entire night crammed over the books studying for a test, your brain will be too tired to process anything. If you go to take the exam, it will be harder for you to remember the material.
Your health and wellbeing are more important than anything else. You’ll be happier, more energized, and more productive if you take care of yourself – before, during, and after the exams.
It’s Time to Study Effectively!
Preparing for exams is vital to passing your subjects. Even though it might seem difficult to manage your studying at first, it gets easier once you get some tricks under your sleeve. Some of these tips might look like common sense, but you’d be amazed to learn how many students fail to follow them. Start now and your exams will get much easier.
