Allocating your time – How much time should you set aside for studying? Make a schedule or use a planner to set a time to study each week and understand all the required material and topics within your syllabus. Remember to leave ample time for revision at the end of the day and before any of your examinations.
Revision – Revising your notes will help you be familiar with a wider range of academic topics, ideas, views, structures and comments which will prepare you to construct critical views and arguments for your academic writing. At University or College level you are expected to absorb all the information
Exams – At University level you are expected to write a well-structured essay. It should formulate an argument, explore the different types of authorities which contrast with your argument, support your arguments or decisions with what you’ve learned, and finally draw a conclusion. Avoid writing about what you know, instead, think about what the question is asking you. Is it asking you to discuss or present an opinion? Your response should match the question and at this stage you are required to analyze critically. Reference is also important! Avoid writing something that cannot be backed up by an authoritative reference or source. Remember essay writing changes as your transition in academic level.
Grammar and Vocabulary – I cannot stress this enough! It is crucial to build your vocabulary and grammar no matter the educational level. When you sit for your exams or submit a written essay you are required to have a formal academic speech and knowledge of your syllabus. The marking system will be stricter and a small mistake can impact your grades. Try using vocabulary apps on your phone or get vocabulary and grammar book from the library or simply find words within your dictionary and aim to practice a few each week.
Absorbing not Memorizing - At University level, you are not memorizing anymore. Memorizing for your exams is futile instead your required to absorb all the information you’ve learned within your program or course from your study materials, lectures, notes and research. My professors told me students at this level should be a master even if you’re doing an undergraduate degree. Memorizing won’t help you pass. You should be as familiar as you can with your subject to be able to explain or someone.
Timing in the examination is crucial. Start by drawing up a plan to develop a structure for your exam or when you practice essay writing. Be serious, write clearly and in complete sentences and use paragraph breaks and not run on sentence. Unless you’re taking notes, bullet form is usually suggested for easy quick recall and lastly ensure that your writing is legible and go over your work to check for grammatical and vocabulary mistakes.
📚I will be writing more blogs regarding exams, notes or studying in general. Just wanted to share a few things that I’ve learned so far and I’m sure, this will be useful to students going to University or College soon. 🖊🖊 🙂
