Preparing for exams is a stressful period for any student. A well-chosen work strategy, study methods, and their combination will help improve memorization, concentration, and results. The article contains advice from psychologists, neuroscientists, and even nutritionists that will help you effectively prepare for the session and minimize stress.
1. Plan Your Time
Take the time and take a few hours to draw up a detailed plan for your training at the very beginning of preparation. Even if you can cover as much material as possible at the last minute, the likelihood that all knowledge will disappear from your head the very next day after delivery is too high.
Make a list of subject topics, and organize all the notes according to this list. Determine your deepest and most superficial knowledge and prioritize.
Then, calculate the time. Consider how many days are left and how many hours a day you need to master the material. Think carefully about how it is more convenient for you to study, take one subject on the same day, or switch to different ones.
Use a variety of time management techniques to stay productive. For example, one of the best methods is the Pomodoro technique. It allows you to stay focused and take planned breaks. This way, you remain efficient over time.
Schedules and times must be followed very strictly. You cannot reduce the preparation time today and make up for it tomorrow. During the preparation period, is there a day on which there is no opportunity to learn the material? Distribute this time evenly over other days. Remember that the preparation will be more effective if you hire a tutor. To do this, you can search for services that regularly publish the best tutoring jobs. There are a huge number of resumes presented, so you can easily find the right teacher to prepare for your exams.
2. Organize Your Workplace
“Order around, order in the head” – this rule always works and everywhere. Organize your space with maximum comfort. Some need everything to be at hand, for others, so that nothing gets in the way and the table is empty.
Eliminate distractions. Many students find that music helps them memorize material. However, neuroscientists and psychologists strongly advise studying in silence. Even if you are not used to it, try it: study one day without music and then critically evaluate the volume of the learned material. It is difficult for our brain to multitask, and listening to music distracts it from the main thing – assimilation of the material, even if you do not notice it.
Put away the phone and other gadgets that are not used at work. Close all messengers on your laptop and phone, in browsers, the tabs for mail, and social networks. Even a few seconds spent reading a message knocks the brain out of the memorization process.
3. Use Flowcharts and Diagrams
Create visual cues for yourself. Visual aids in the form of diagrams, diagrams, and simple drawings help not only to remember faster but also to repeat the material. Before the exam, one glance at such a picture is enough to restore the topic in memory. And when passing the exam itself, you can simply remember it, and the brain will helpfully give out all the information related to visualization.
Additionally, consider utilizing study guides as valuable resources to reinforce your learning and prepare for exams. These guides provide concise summaries and key points, making it easier to review and retain essential information, ultimately enhancing your exam readiness and performance. For instance, if you’re preparing for the Optometry Admission Test (OAT), you may conveniently purchase an OAT Destroyer here to access comprehensive study materials designed to help you excel in your optometry admissions journey. These guides offer targeted content and practice questions to maximize your exam preparation efforts.
4. Self-test
After passing a certain stage of training (section, topic), arrange a test on it. Find questions on the Internet, go through the subtopics, and try to assess your knowledge as critically and fully as possible.
5. Group Work
Another testing method is to imagine yourself as a teacher. Imagine that you need to reveal this topic to a group of students as fully and accessible as possible. It is very good to pass this “protege effect” in groups. Get together with friends and classmates. Let everyone tell their topic, ask each other questions, and answer them.
6. Breaks, Rest, Physical Activity
It has been proven that the best relaxation is not on the couch watching a TV series but a change from one type of activity to another. You learned; you used your brain. It’s time for him to rest, which means to use the body.
Go outside, just walk, run, and do a couple of exercises. The blood will be saturated with oxygen, which the brain needs so much for active work. Classes on the street “kill three birds with one stone”: they distract from studying, help to recover muscles stiff during work, and saturate the body with energy.
7. Eat Right
Proper nutrition is important not only for the body but also for the brain. The main mistake in intensive training is skipping breakfast. Charge your brain for a whole day with slow carbohydrates: muesli, whole grain bread, oatmeal – what a student needs.
Don’t snack on junk food. Take with you a protein bar, fruits, and nuts. For lunch, eat protein, vegetables, and fruits. Help your brain, give it the “right” energy, and it will thank you with effective work.
Drink plenty of water. If possible, bring a bottle of water with you to the exam.
8. Get Some Sleep Before Your Exam
The night before the exam is not a time to catch up. A good dream will streamline knowledge and “put everything on the shelves.”
9. Make a Plan for the Exam Day
Be sure to find out exactly before the day of the exam if the time of delivery has changed, the place that you need to have with you (pen, pencil, calculator). Prepare everything in the evening. Consider comfortable business attire. Consider the route and exit time, taking into account possible traffic jams.
10. Be Optimistic and Think Positive
During all the preparation, think only that you will succeed. Do not think that the material is too much or it is very difficult. Confidence in yourself and your knowledge – these are the feelings with which you need to go to the exam, and not fear and anxiety.
Conclusion
Follow a smart system for amazing results. Use our guidelines to help you stay on track with your effective learning curve. And remember, you are not alone. Every year, a colossal number of students experience the same fear that you do.
