We have all seen the long-winded exam prep blog articles that seem to be published every trimester when exam period rolls around, so this time we thought we would keep it simple and offer some straightforward tips without all the complications. To maximise your chances of succeeding this exam period, follow these tips:
Organise your Study Area
Sounds pretty simple, right? Although many students believe their study area is ideal for exam prep, they fail to take into account several factors that can lead to a decrease in productivity. A couple of things to take into account when organising your study area:
- Do you have enough space to spread your notes and textbooks?
- Are ALL distractions removed from the area?
- Is there enough natural light?
- Is your chair comfortable?
Test Yourself by Explaining Concepts to Others
Have you ever heard the saying “if you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough”. The more you understand a concept, the easier you will be able to explain it to someone. Test yourself on friends and family, it will give a good indicator as to how well you have understood an idea or theory.
Take Breaks Regularly
The notion of studying for continual hours on end for an exam is about as old fashioned as carrying around a pager for communication. Although everyone has different preferences, it has been shown that taking regular breaks can help refresh your mindset and improve your long-term retention of knowledge.
Strategise the Day of your Exam
The last thing you need to do on the day of an exam is increase your stress by getting lost or forgetting your calculator. Here are a couple of points to keep in mind the night before an exam:
- Plan how you will get to the exam at an appropriate time, not too early or too late.
- Check all the rules and requirements of the exam, and pack all the right equipment beforehand.
Good luck in your exams!
