If you have ever been a student, you would know that tests are a thorn in the back. There’s the time-pressure, huge variety of subjects the questions could come from, the immediate repercussions and weight of each test, etc. These are just some reasons why taking a test can be nerve-wracking for all students.
However, with enough preparation, you can mitigate the jitters that you will feel. This will also allow you to score better on tests. Before you take the test, it would be for the best to prepare so you feel confident with your answers. Unfortunately for you, studying is not a one-size-fits-all approach. Your way of studying may be effective for you but not for others. On the other hand, others’ way of studying may not be effective for you.
We have different learning techniques and it’s hard to stay motivated especially when you’re tired from your day-to-day activities. Here is a list of tips to help you score higher.
- Regular revisions
Studying your lessons should not be done by cramming. You should do a constant revision throughout the term. Try to make it a habit to review your notes and lessons once or twice a week. This will help you grasp the lessons faster while also making sure that you remember them.
To add to this, it gives you the opportunity to research on topics that you do not have full knowledge of. It goes without saying that this is a better study habit than cramming all the information on one night — pouring over hundreds of pages just to have a limited grasp of your subjects. This tip takes only 15-20 minutes of your day.
- Take 10-Minute Intervals
Burnout is real and if you don’t take regular breaks, your brain will face a roadblock ahead. It is a guaranteed method that will fail. Your brain needs some rest and relaxation time. The more exhausted it is, the poorer its function will be. Take a 10-minute break for every hour of rest so you give your brain an adequate amount of time to recover. See things from a different perspective by going out. Don’t just stay in the place where you study.
- Study Groups
Arrange for a group of friends to help you with studying. A group environment is guaranteed to help you get into a great studying groove. Your friends may also have information that you do not know. Maybe you skipped the class when it was being discussed. School is not a competition thus you should help each other out. Just be warned though that when you are with friends, you often fall into a comfortable atmosphere and forget studying altogether. Remember to stay focused. Go to a studying place like a library so you don’t easily get distracted.
- Take Online Courses
Go online but not on social media. If there’s a lesson that you do not understand, look for it online. There are a lot of online resources available for you, either for free or for a small cost. For example, you can check out Udemy Online Courses to help you study.
- Drink Caffeine
Studies have shown that your brain is more ready to receive information when introduced to caffeine which is considered as a brain booster. Coffee and tea also helps keep you awake and your mind alert.
- Eat up Omega-3 fatty acids
During Finals Week, students often eat unhealthy, opting for fast food restaurants instead of sensible meals. This is often detrimental to the cause. As a student, you would want a healthy diet of Omega-3 which can be found in fish, nuts and olive oil. It has also been proven to reduce anxiety.
- Use Visual Aids
Create charts and diagrams to help you learn. You can condense all your notes into one-pagers that will help you remember valuable terms. This way you can easily recall everything you need to know during the exam.
- Practice on Past Exams
One of the most effective and proven ways is to practice on past exams. Ask your upperclassmen on how your professors do exams. This helps you get used to tests and provide insights on how your professor creates the questions.
- Discover and Try Out Various Learning Styles
We all learn through various ways — some find auditory learning effective, others think visual learning works better while some still do kinesthetic learning as their best study method. Auditory learning is through listening. Reading notes aloud or discussing them with a group is the best way for this to work. You can also record your lectures with your phone.
Visual learning, on the other hand, utilizes visual aids and notes. You can draw diagrams and charts to represent key points. Images are retained better for some. Kinesthetic learning is a new method that is done by doing. Role-playing or building models to revise key points, for example, is one way for kinesthetic learners to retain information.
