What is the best strategy for you?
1. Give yourself
enough time to study
Don't leave it until the last minute. While some
students do seem to thrive on last-minute 'cramming', for most of us this is not the best way to approach an exam. Set out a
timetable for your study. Write down how many exams you have and the days on
which you have to sit them. Then organize your study accordingly. You may want
to give some exams more study time than others, so find a balance that you feel
comfortable with.
2. Organize your study space
Make sure you have enough space to spread your
textbooks and notes out. Have you got enough light? Is your chair comfortable?
Are your computer games out of sight?
Try and get rid of all distractions, and make
sure you feel as comfortable and able to focus as possible. For some people,
this may mean almost complete silence; for others, background music helps. Some
of us need everything completely tidy and organized in order to concentrate,
while others thrive in a more cluttered environment. Think about what
works for you, and take the time to get it right.
3. Use flow
charts and diagrams
Visual aids can be really helpful when revising.
For a topic, challenge yourself to write down everything you
already know about it - and then highlight where the gaps lie. Closer to
the exam, condense your revision notes into one-page diagrams. Getting your
ideas down in this brief format can then help you to quickly recall everything
you need to know during the exam.
4.
Practice demo-versions and past papers
One of the most effective ways to prepare for
exams is to practice taking past versions. This helps you get used to the
format of the questions, and - if you time yourself - can also be good practice
for making sure you spend the right amount of time on each section.
5. Explain your
answers to others
Parents and little brothers and sisters don't
have to be annoying around exam time! Use them to your advantage. Explain an
answer to a question to them. That will help you to get it clear in your head,
and also to highlight any areas where you need more work.
6. Organize study
groups with friends
Get together
with friends for a study session. You may have questions that they have the
answers to and vice versa. As long as you make sure you stay focused on the
topic for an agreed amount of time, this can be one of the most effective ways
to challenge yourself.
7. Take regular breaks
You may think it's best to study for as
many hours as possible, but this can actually be counterproductive. If you
were training for a marathon, you wouldn't try and run 24 hours a day!
So, studies have shown that for long-term retention of knowledge, taking
regular breaks really helps.
Everyone's different, so develop a study routine
that works for you. If you study better in the morning, start early before
taking a break at lunchtime. Or if you're more productive at nighttime, take a
larger break earlier on so you're ready to settle down come evening.
Try not to feel guilty about being out enjoying
the sunshine instead of hunched over your textbooks. Remember Vitamin D is
important for a healthy brain!
8. Snack on
'brain food'
You may feel like you
deserve a treat, or that you don't have time to cook, but what you eat can
really have an impact on energy levels and focus. Keep your body and brain
well-fuelled by choosing nutritious foods that have been proven to
aid concentration and memory, such as fish, nuts, seeds, yogurt, and
blueberries. The same applies on exam day - eat a good meal before the test,
based on foods that will provide a slow release of energy throughout. Sugar may
seem appealing, but it won't help when your energy levels crash an hour or so
later.
9. Plan your exam
day
Make sure you get everything ready well in
advance. Check all the rules and
requirements.
You could make
plans to travel to the exam with friends or classmates, as long as you know
they're likely to be punctual!
10. Drink plenty of water
As a final tip, remember that being well
hydrated is essential for your brain to work at its best. Make sure you
keep drinking water throughout your revision, and also on the exam
day.
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