It’s Exam Season - Here’s How to Study the Right Way

As students, we can all agree that exam season is certainly stressful. Studying for exams takes up a huge chunk of our time, so it’s important that we can do it effectively and actually absorb the information we’re reading over. Here are a few tips and tricks that might help you ace your exams!

Source: Quizlet

Tip #1: Quizlet

Quizlet is already a pretty popular platform for students and teachers, but for those who don’t know, Quizlet is great for making flashcards to study vocab words. Try organizing your flashcards by subject and then unit - after a while of practising, you’ll memorize terms and definitions in no time!

Tip #2: The Pomodoro Technique

This technique gets even the laziest people to get work done. The idea is that you work in twenty-five minute intervals called pomodoros, taking five minute breaks between each interval. After four pomodoros, you take a longer fifteen minute break. This technique works by forcing you to get as much work done in twenty-five minutes instead of procrastinating because you feel like you have lots of time. The short breaks give time for you to step away and take a breather, so you can come back feeling motivated.

Source: Bukalapak

Tip #3: Study in the Same Space

Repeatedly studying in the same place will make your brain associate that place with productivity, making you study more effectively. For example, if you typically study at a desk, it’s likely that you won’t be able to study as effectively while lying in bed. Always studying in the same place helps create a routine to get you in the studying mood!

Tip #4: Study with Music - Or None at All

Source: Medium

Everyone is different; various music and noises will help certain people study better. Some students work well with their favourite playlist blasting in their headphones, while others prefer quiet music made especially for studying, some like ambient noise videos, and some work best with no extra noise at all. Find what works well for you and stick with it, similar to tip #3.

Tip #5: Use Your Learning Style to Your Advantage

Finding out your learning style could drastically benefit your study session. Auditory learners might want to read their notes aloud or listen to others saying keypoints. Kinesthetic learners can use models to study important concepts. Visual learners can read over their notes, look over diagrams, and use flashcards to study. Knowing your learning style can help you find the best way for you to absorb information.

Tip #6: Test Yourself

Testing your own knowledge can help you know what concepts to review more and what you already know well. You’ll save tons of time by looking over what you already know less! Quizlet can help with this, as well as study groups with friends.

Source: Pinterest

Tip #7: Review Old Tests

Old tests from throughout the course can be helpful because they provide examples of what questions might be on the exam. You can also see what you got wrong and review those concepts more.

Tip #8: Reward Yourself

Don’t starve your brain of enjoyment- make studying more fun by giving yourself rewards as you study! You could give yourself a few candies for each hour you study, or an extra few minutes of screen time after a study session. Either way, rewarding yourself motivates you to study more!

Tip #9: Sleep

Never stay up too late while studying, especially the night before an exam. You might think the extra hours of revising are beneficial, but really you’re depriving your body of rest and relaxation. Being exhausted the day of the exam won’t do you any favours, and no amount of coffee will help you pass the exam.

Tip #10: Relax and Unwind

Source: Twitter

Exam season is stressful; students spend so much time working they sometimes forget to focus on themselves. When you’re done studying and feel confident that you’ll ace the exam, take time to do something you love. Whether that’s getting your favourite bubble tea or playing video games, give yourself time to relax until your next study session rolls around!

Good luck on your exams - you’ve got this!

By Jasmine Chow