Have an upcoming test soon and you’re not prepared for it? Do not panic as it happens to the best of us. Leaving everything till the last minute is something that is always advised against by elders yet most of the students end up doing it anyway.
We understand that this is one of the most stressful times of the year and there is a lot of pressure on you. However, bringing out the best in you in a limited time can be challenging but it is not impossible. All you need to do is follow a few steps to prepare for exams the right way.
Tips to Prepare For Exams
Comparison Will Kill Your Spirit
The first rule is to never compare your preparation for exams with anyone else. Not only is it demotivating but also consumes a lot of your time and hinders your thinking process.
Everyone’s learning capabilities are different so comparison is not fruitful. Instead, you can compare your previous preparation with your current one. The problem you were unable to solve five hours ago, are you able to solve it now? If the answer is yes, great! If not, work harder and you will definitely succeed.
Quality Over Quantity
Always remember this students- Two productive hours of learning is always better than six unproductive hours of slaving away with little to no concentration. You have to focus on quality over quantity.
This theory also applies to the material you study. It is not necessary to have a shallow or surface-level understanding of everything in your syllabus because more often than not, it is more difficult to answer questions properly in this case.
In its place, you can try covering limited topics but make sure to grasp them completely. This will solidify your knowledge base and guarantee decent marks.
Solve Old Question Papers
This is one of the most effective ways to prepare for exams especially at the last minute.
Solving the previous years’ question paper ensures two things. Firstly, you get a hang of the format and type of questions. Secondly, it tests your writing speed.
More often than not, practicing previous 5 to 10-year-old question papers gives you comprehensive knowledge about the type of questions. Thus, make sure to go through them before your exam.
Do Not Forget to Take Breaks
We understand that last-minute preparation can be nerve-wracking. However, studying continuously without any breaks can be counterproductive. Thus, you have to take periodical breaks to prepare for exams the right way.
Studies have also shown that taking regular breaks actually helps with knowledge retention. In other words, studying for a longer duration without giving your brain some rest will make you forget things that you have already studied.
So make sure to take regular breaks while you prepare for exams without feeling guilty.
Organizing your Study Space is Important
If you did not know already, the study environment is essential for maximum focus and productivity. This is why organizing your study space is very important.
Remember to not keep things that distract you such as mobile phones, iPads, and so on. These will divert your attention in a crucial period, something which you can definitely not afford during the exam period.
Secondly, make sure there is proper light (no studying in dim lights), use a lamp, enough space for your books and notes, and a comfortable chair. These might seem menial at first but it goes a long way in enhancing your focus.
Teach Others For a Better Understanding
This is a tried and tested method to prepare for exams.
If you have some time on your hands, try explaining the subject to someone else. It helps clear your own understanding and also retain the information during the exam.
This also helps you identify things you do not understand and a chance to understand it better.
Study at Your Best Time
Are you an early bird or a night owl? This is a relevant question to think about when you prepare for exams.
Some people are most active early in the morning while some remain awake till late at night and wake up late. You need to set a study time accordingly. If you are a morning person, set an alarm at say 6 or 7 am for an intense study session. You would also like to refer to our Book Review of ‘Deep Work’ for better focus & time management.
Similarly, if you are a night person, make sure to stay awake and fully concentrate on studying. Remember that it is useless to study if you are not completely concentrated.
Conclusion
In conclusion, to successfully prepare for exams, you have to avoid comparisons, prioritize quality over quantity, solve past papers, take breaks, and optimize your study space and time.
Additional tips include teaching others for better understanding, aligning study sessions with your peak focus hours, and incorporating active learning techniques.
To prepare for exams effectively, create a realistic timetable, and employ memorization strategies such as reading aloud, writing, explaining concepts, and using acronyms. Overall, these strategies will enhance your preparation and increase the likelihood of success in exams.
FAQs
How should I prepare for my exams?
You need to keep a few things in mind while preparing for your exams. Never compare yourself with others, focus on quality over quantity, solve previous years’ question papers, organize your study space, take breaks, teach others, and choose your optimal time for studying.
How to stay awake while pulling an all-nighter before exam?
Remember to stay away from your bed, keep your phones and all electronic devices away, do not eat anything heavy, take short power naps, and regular breaks.
How many hours can a human brain focus on average?
A human brain can usually focus up to 2 hours after which it needs some break. Statistics mostly differ but lack of concentration is becoming a frequent phenomenon in recent times.
How to create a proper timetable before exams?
Firstly go through the entire syllabus to see what you need to cover. Then set realistic goals, prioritize the important topics as well as subjects, allocate time to each of the topics throughout the day, take breaks, and do not forget to keep time for revision.
How can I memorize things faster before exams?
Read the information aloud, write down whatever you have learned, explain the topic to others, and make up acronyms to memorize things faster before exams.