Do you ever wonder if there is a magic formula to succeed at writing exams? Everyone suffers from fear and anxiety with exams approaching, but successful students have a few “tricks” that set them apart from the rest.
We’ve put together some of these study tips to help you on your way to achieving exam goals!
1. PLAN
Don’t leave your studying until the last minute – time management is key. Start by writing down your exams and dates you write them, then work backwards setting up a study plan leaving enough time to cover all topics. Try study at the same time each day to develop a routine and ensure you have set outcomes of what you want to achieve in each study session.
2. ORGANISE
Keep your study area organised and free of distraction. Ensure you have enough light, your chair is comfortable and away from the busy zone in the house. Leave enough space to lay out your textbooks and study material. Keep blank paper and highlighters handy to jot down notes.
3. PICTURE IT
Visual aids are really helpful – start by writing down everything you know about a topic and then highlight where the gaps are. Before your exam condense your notes into a single page, which will allow you to recall everything quickly during the exam. Studying with friends or other students can also be a great way of studying, as long as the sessions keep to topic. Study groups can help you to understand a concept, complete assignments quicker and assist with remembering key facts.
4. PRACTICE, REVIEW & REVISE
Always make sure to take good notes in class, and revise these before each study session or assignment. At the end of each week review what has been learned, which will prepare you for the following week to continue learning new concepts. Practicing past exam papers is also an excellent form of revision, allowing you to get used to the format of the questions, the duration of the paper and highlighting areas you need to focus on.
5. REFRESH, HYDRATE & NOURISH
Take breaks, eat healthy snacks and drink plenty H2O. While you might plan a lengthy study session, its actually better to take regular breaks for long-term retention of knowledge. Take a break and enjoy the sunshine – Vitamin D is important for a healthy brain! Just as important is nutritious food to snack on while you’re studying to keep your body and brain well-fuelled. On exam day eat a good meal that will provide a slow release of energy. Finally, keep well hydrated to ensure your brain works at its best. Drink plenty of water during your study sessions and on exam day!
