It’s the night before the big math exam and you are S-T-R-E-S-S-E-D!!! You’re cramming, books are everywhere, your friends are begging you to stop calling them for help and coffee is just not working anymore. This is the moment where you tell yourself yet again that you will start to study sooner next time. Disaster seems imminent. Sound familiar?
Ask yourself this: what IF you had indeed started to study earlier and felt calm and prepared for your exam? Yes, it appears to be the unholiest of sins to actually study ahead. However, when you are in grades 10, 11 and 12 you have to make the decision to study efficiently for exams and to have a strategy when tests and exams are looming, as they are your ticket to further education.
When you have made the decision to up your game and say “yes” to the madness that pre-exam preparation appears to be, here is an excellent opportunity to help you achieve your goals. Marg Online School, an endeavour of ICPF, conducted an online session for students of class 8-12 to equip and encourage them for their exams. The session titled “How to Study & Write Exams” was handled by Mr. Tim Chacko Thomas, MD of iGen Software Solutions and Career Guidance Counselor.
If you missed the session, don’t worry. We’ve got you. Here are the tips and tricks that were given during the session.
Plan Now to Optimise your Efficiency in Studying
Failing to plan is planning to fail. There is more work to be done than you really think. So it’s important to take a pause and assess the quantum of work that is there. Make plans on what all you plan to study, when and how. This is the first step to study more efficiently for exams.
Create a Schedule
Prepare the road map. Take a calendar and chalk out a schedule till the day of the exams. And don’t forget to schedule breaks too! Making a study schedule by dedicating time blocks for revision, practice tests and breaks enhances productivity and retention. It also helps you to cover the syllabus thoroughly and prevents last minute cramming. Additionally, take care to build flexibility into your schedule so that you can accommodate unexpected situations or revisit challenging concepts. This will prevent stress and burnout.
Use Study Methods & Tricks to Remember
There are several small tricks that might help you study efficiently for exams and remember better.
- Active Learning: Engaging in methods like self-quizzing, summarizing, and concept mapping aid in better understanding and retention of information.
- Varied Resources: Utilizing diverse resources like notes, textbooks, online tutorials, and peer discussions enhances comprehension and knowledge retention.
- Artificial Intelligence: Use Artificial Intelligence applications like Bard or Chat GPT if you are not able to understand a topic well. You can use prompts like “I am a student in Grade 8. Explain the how force can change the shape of an object in simple terms”.
- Cue Cards: Condense complex topics into bite-sized flashcards that ignite recall and smash exam day stress. Test yourself by explaining each point aloud from the cue card, solidifying understanding and boosting your confidence.
- Acronym Method: Coin a pronounceable word using the first letters of each point. For example if your essay is about the potential impacts of artificial intelligence (AI). You identify three key points: Ethical considerations, Economic repercussions, and Societal transformation. Using an acronym, you could remember these points as “EES.”
- Chunking: Break down large sections of information into smaller, more manageable pieces. Doing so makes it easier to digest and remember. This a good method to increase your efficiency in studying.
- Mind Mapping: Visualize relationships between concepts using diagrams with lines, keywords, and colors. This aids in organization and recall.
- Collaborative Learning: Discuss and work with others who are learning the same material. Sharing ideas and explanations strengthens understanding and can be motivating.
Be Consistent
Consistency is key! Keep at it regularly and don’t procrastinate. Stick to your schedule. Also remember that consistency isn’t about cramming. Break down the whole into bite-sized chunks. Plan daily or weekly study goals, allocating specific time slots for focused learning. This prevents you from feeling overwhelmed and ensures steady progress.
Focus on Understanding
Just trying to mug up everything won’t work. Try to understand the hows and whys of what you’re studying. If your conceptual understanding is strong then it’ll be easy to recollect things.
Practice Tests
One of the best ways to increase your efficiency in studying and also in writing your exams better is to write & practice. This will help to maintain speed. Look up previous years’ question papers and try to solve those. This will help you identify what is lacking. It may be speed or the way you write that needs improvement. You’ll also be able to figure out the areas you may have to focus more and put in a few more hours to study them.
Sleep and Eat Well
Sleep just enough. Too little sleep doesn’t mean you get more time to study. Skipping sleep will only make you lethargic and that is not how you want to appear for your exams. Sleep also helps in recollecting what you studied as it enhances memory retention. On the flip side, too much sleep is also just as bad. Get your 7-8 hours of sound sleep every night and you’re good to go. And make sure you eat healthy, nutritious food. Avoid eating out during this time so that there’s no risk of you falling sick that way. Another key point is to incorporate light physical activities like stretching or short walks as this promotes blood circulation and relaxation.
Don’t be Stressed
Stress can ruin everything. You can forget even those things which you know best. So don’t let stress get the better of you. If you are feeling stressed, make some deliberate efforts to relax yourself. Just take a walk or do a few stretches or listen to some music. Sometimes something as simple as taking a few deep breaths can help. It may work differently for different people. So figure out what works for you.
Manage Distractions
Create a quiet study space with minimal distractions. Doing so fosters concentration and allows for uninterrupted learning. Keep your focus and be productive by limiting digital interruptions. Minimize time spent on social media and non-essential apps. This is a great way to step-up your efficiency in studying.
Get Help
There may be times when you would have followed many of these tips but you’re still not able to perform well in some subjects or there may be competitive exams for which you could use some help while preparing. Marg Online School offers medical and engineering entrance exam coaching, and foundation courses for Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Mathematics. These classes are online and so you don’t have to worry about traveling. Getting help at the earliest is the best thing to do when you feel that you can’t do it by yourself.
Trust God
God can help you to go more than your abilities. Take a moment to pray before you start studying everyday and also before writing your exam. The Bible says that we can ask God for wisdom and He will give it to us. So ask God for clarity, focus, wisdom, calmness and clear thinking.
Exams are starting soon for many of you and it’s the right time to make final plans to approach the exams. Hope these tips help you to study efficiently for your exams. All the best!!
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