Exams play a big role in your success or failure in school. It tests your knowledge and competency, and most importantly, your readiness to move to the next level or even graduate. Different people have different approaches to exams, but it is apparent that in order to succeed, you really need to prepare for them. While you can always do it the old way, burying yourself in books and other reading materials, you can also try other methods which can help you learn and absorb more knowledge when preparing for the exam.
Consider the following tips when you prepare for your next exam.
Allotting more time to study
Almost all of us have at one time procrastinated, just cramming everything we can in at the last minute. But, we all know how that usually ends. It’s important to give yourself more time to study, so you can properly pace the rate of learning you can do before the exam date.
You can start by setting up a timetable to follow. Create a list of the areas you think you need more time to focus on and identify exam topics you think are your weakness. It’s up to you how you want to prioritize subjects, as long as you give enough attention to each of them. Once you’ve gone through them all, you can always go back to the ones you feel you had a harder time with.
De-cluttering your study space
Some people thrive in chaos, while others can’t do well if they’re environment is not organized. It’s best to err on the side of caution and try to keep your study space in order. Even if you have a pile of books left to study, by keeping them stacked properly, you’ll be able to focus more on the material you’re working on.
Get rid of all the distractions and try to be comfortable but not too comfortable you lose your motivation to study. Some people prefer silence, while some do well with a bit of background music. This is entirely up to you, so try different approaches so you can discover your preference. Figure out what works for you, so you can have the best possible environment for you to study in.
Use old exams as study guides
If you have access to old exams, you’re a step closer to acing the new one. Studying the past versions of an exam is really helpful for a lot of students. It allows you to become familiar with the style, format, and flow of the questions. As you use these exams to practice, you can also reduce some of the anxiety and stress you may be experiencing. Take them as if it were the actual exam and see how you do.
But don’t fall into the trap of relying too much on these old exams. Don’t expect that some of the questions would appear in your new exam, or else you’d only be focusing on the wrong items. Let it guide you on what to study, but your focus should still be on the lessons discussed in class.
Take a break once in a while
Exam fatigue. Burnout. These are the things you want to avoid while studying. Yes, you can get information overload if you don’t properly pace yourself. This is also why cramming doesn’t really work for everyone as you could confuse yourself by trying to understand the information all at once.
Give yourself time to breathe. Clear your mind and relax, even for just a few minutes. Try to find your own pace and see how you should space breaks in between study sessions. If you’re pulling an all-nighter, a power nap can keep you energized for a few more hours before getting tired or sleepy again.
Plan your exam day
Even before the exam date arrives, it’s best to be mentally prepared for the day. If you have several exams scheduled all in one day, try to plan ahead for each of them. Know how you’ll move from one exam room to another so you won’t be late. Also, plan when you can take breaks in between.
If you have time to kill, you might want to spend it reviewing subjects you’re still not confident on. Use it to go over some of the things you’ve studied, but don’t force the information in. Remember, you don’t want to confuse yourself by trying to cram new ideas in your head at the last minute.
Exams may not be fun for everyone, but it is definitely important if you want to finish school or obtain a certification. Give yourself more time to prepare and study, and keep your study place organized. Focus on subjects you think will present more challenge, but don’t forget to take breaks in between. Here’s to YOUR success!
Carolyn R. Owens has over 25 years of proven experience and serves as a Career Strategist, Leadership and Life Coach. She is the Chairwoman and CEO of Infinity Coaching, Inc. where they help you up-level your skills so you can up-level your income. Infinity Coaching, Inc. provides one-on-one and group coaching, organizational training, and personality assessments. Carolyn is certified to give both The Energy Leadership Index Assessment and Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) Assessment. You can find out more about both assessments and other products and services athttps://infinitycoaching.net.
