☆HOW TO PROPERLY PREPARE 4 AN EXAM☆
Studying for exams is something essential in students lives. We all spend most of our time preparing for those sheets of paper that we are so afraid of and, sometimes, we do it in the wrong way without even noticing it.
Some of us use study-to-pass methods, which aren't effective because you will end up forgetting everything that you studied!!
That's why we all should learn how to study in a way that we don't only pass the exam, but also remember everything (or most part of it).
So, here, I'm going to show you not only how to properly prepare for an exam, but also how to keep those things that you studied in your long-term memory, so you don't forget them!!
A little disclaimer: this is how I prepare for exams, but that doesn't mean that you have to prepare for exams like this too, and that's ok <333 Everyone is different, so our study and organization methods are. Just try this method and, if it doesn't work, you can try another one or even make your own!!
For being able to prepare properly, you will have to start studying from four to two weeks before the exam, it depends on how difficult you find the subject and how easy it is for you to study.
The steps to prepare for an exam are:
1.- Plan your study sessions
Planning our study sessions ahead is very important if we want to stay organized. But, how do we do that??
First, write a list of all the things that you will have to study for the exam.
In a calendar (it can be weekly or monthly) write which day you are going to study each of the things that are on the list.
Leave two or three days before the exam for revision, which means that you won't study, only review what you have already studied.
2.- Eliminate distractions
Before we start studying for an exam, we have to declutter our workspace. Put away the things that may distract you and leave only the stuff that you will need for your study sessions, such as your stationery, your laptop, etc.
Once you have ended with physical distractions, it's time to end with the virtual ones. Set time limits on your phone or delete some apps, and install website blockers on your computer.
Since we won't have anything that distracts us, it will be easier for us to stay focused.
Once you have done those steps, it's time to sit down, open your books and start studying.
Make sure that you follow your study plan correctly and that you don't procrastinate.
Each time that you finish studying and understanding very well a certain topic, cross it out on the list, so you know that you won’t have to put a lot of effort into it when you review it.
And when there's a topic that it's more difficult for you, mark it with a circle or something like that, so you know that you will have to review it more.
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Now, you just need to know how to properly study and review.
• Active studying vs passive studying
Usually, students that study actively tend to have better results than students that don’t.
By studying actively, you don’t only make sure that you understand a certain topic, but you also retain that information in your brain for more time, or in other words, in your long term memory.
So, you have to avoid passive study methods, such as only reading your notes, textbooks, etc.
You have to avoid the easy and effortless methods because they’re not the more effective.
Some active study methods are:
After every class, take 1 min to write the two or three main ideas by memory.
Write them in your own words, using keywords and simple definitions that are easy to memorise.
Before studying something, write some questions about the most important things and, after studying, answer them
Try to explain a topic in your own words to make sure that you understand it. Once you do so, study it (if you do it in your own words too it’s better).
You can find more active study methods on YouTube by searching “Active recall”, but these ones are the ones that I use!!
All these methods force your brain to think about what you have studied or what you are about to start studying. This helps to keep that information in your long term memory.
As I said before, you have to leave some days before your exam to review all that you have studied.
By reviewing all the information, your brain remembers it and slowly starts to keep it in your long term memory (because reviewing is an active study method too!!).
The steps for reviewing in a proper way are pretty easy:
Divide a paper into 5 sections:
Keywords and their definitions
Put away your notes and books and complete each section by memory except the ones of things you forgot and corrections.
Take your textbooks and notes and compare what you wrote with what it’s written.
Write the corrections in the “correction” section
Write the things you forgot in the “things you forgot” section
Just review what you didn’t remember or what you were wrong at.
Do the whole process again until you get it all correct.
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While you are studying for an exam, you have to consider some things that don’t have anything to do with studying, but that will help you to prepare properly and to succeed:
Studying is very important, but resting is too.
When we study a lot of time, we end up feeling exhausted and overwhelmed, that's why we have to take breaks during our study sessions. They shouldn't be only breaks of ten minutes but of half an hour or so. Remember to don't use your phone or any technology on the breaks, because if you do so, you won't relax at all. Do a chill activity, such as reading, writing, drawing, painting, etc.
Also, by resting for a long period of time, your brain will be able to retain the stuff that you studied before more easily.
We need to sleep because it gives us the energy that we need for the day.
You should sleep from 8 to 10 hours per day if you want to be fully rested, so stop sleeping just because you have to study isn't a good idea.
• Have water and snacks near you
Staying hydrated and eating is something VERY important for everyone.
It's normal to feel thirsty or hungry while you are studying, that's why I recommend having a water bottle and some healthy snacks always on your workspace to avoid standing up, going to the kitchen and, as a consequence, stop being focused on what you were doing.
(omg this is so long- I’m sorry lol)
I hope that you find this guide helpful!!!
Act like the person you want to become~
