Some students just know how to memorize, make notes, and ace the exams while some of us are trying to find out the ultimate answer to how to study for exams. This article will guide you through the best kept secrets of learning faster and better.
Although the ways of learning may be different among students, the basic ways in which our brains absorb information are identical across all of us. Therefore, if you want to know how to study for exams, you will need to find out how you learn.
Let’s not forget about grades too! So, while we try to help you find out how to study for exams, we will also bring the best learning practices as well. Study planning, time management, exam preparation tips – here we present some of the teacher-tested techniques.
Tip # 1 What to do when exams are near and time is running out?
Learn techniques to not panic
Grounding techniques teach you how to feel in the moment and block out the worries from your mind. You can practice these techniques by breathing in deeply and exhaling. This may sound like a simple thing to do, but the idea is to do this when you actually come under pressure and stress near exams and during exams.
Learn ways to stop delaying studies
Ever wondered why we want to waste more time when it is time to get focused and start studying immediately? One last phone call and one last message – habits die hard.
We delay more because it is very difficult to control habits with will power alone. If you want to control habits of delaying, you will need to create new habits and that is a conscious process. Keep reading to find out more on creating habits!
Tip # 2 Minimize distractions in study planning
Time management cannot be learned without learning to cut down distractions. Let’s read ahead to find out about the famous Pomodoro technique developed by Francesco Cirillo in the late 1980s.
#1 Pomodoro technique:
One of the smart study tips is to follow Pomodoro technique. Study with a deep focus for 25 minutes then give yourself a short break. Give yourself a small reward for coming so far. Then start studying again for 25 minutes and so forth.
#2 Change habits and ignore the old ones
Pomodoro technique will also help you change habits but here is a complete guide to changing habits and fighting old habits of delaying studying:
- Cue of creating a new habit: Whenever you are trying to create a new habit, the first step is to attach a cue to it. For instance, every time the doorbell rings, you check who’s at the door. That’s a habit many of us have. Similarly, every time your phone rings, you pick it up without much thinking. The doorbell and the phone ringtone are cues to your habit.
The cue to start studying can be a certain time, such as 4:00 PM. It can also be switching off the internet and the phone. So, the moment you switch off the phone, your brain receives a cue that it has to go into concentration mode.
- Habits need a reward! Rewards can come in many forms. So, when you stop at the red light, your reward is a sense of satisfaction and responsibility that makes you “feel good”. Similarly, when you attend to unnecessary surfing of the web while studying, you have a feeling of excitement. In other words, we fulfill our habits because we receive rewards!
If you can set a reward for yourself after each successful practice of a habit, your brain will easily remember the habit next time. If you want to break the habit of looking at the phone for news, promise yourself an hour of news at the end of an hour of work.
- How to ignore old habits?
You can ignore an old habit by consciously ignoring the cue of the old habits. It is important to know how to ignore old habits, because while you are trying to develop new habits, you might still be clinging to some old ones too!
Tip # 3 Smart datesheet handling skills when time is short
When you receive your exams datesheet, you will see that some exams are spaced out while some are scheduled on consecutive days. If you have not had a chance to study and prepare notes during the classes and regular studies schedule, you need some tips to handle the enormous load of the datesheet.
Step 1: Pick the hardest subject first
Out of all the subjects, you probably have one that you find the hardest. This can also be a subject you didn’t get to study before. When exams are near, you won’t have the time to cram everything, therefore, you will need to pick the hardest topics first as well!
Step 2: Set a timer: highlight and break-down the text
You will be required to sit for 25 minutes and pay close attention. During this time, make sure you do not have any distractions around you.
If it is a theoretical exam, you will need to highlight the important points in the book. You will also need to make points of everything in a paragraph. Remember the key here is to not overly highlight everything. You just need to highlight only the parts you need to remember and recall.
Once the timer is up, you should take a 5-10 minute break for a small snack, walking around, or just stretching. Don’t engage in anything that may take your attention away after the break.
Step 3: Close the book
Once you are ready, you should close the book and bring the highlighted parts and points to the mind. Now, you need to repeat all the above steps again and again till you have finished a good portion of the book. Ideally, you should move on to the next subject after 3 hours of study.
Step 4: Review after 2-3 days
It is very important to review what you have learned. Therefore, after a gap of 2-3 days, you should review with a closed book. In your revision schedule, make sure to keep bringing the subjects you learned 2-3 ago and keep learning ahead using the above strategies.
Tip # 4 How to study more in less time?
Time blocking technique
A popular strategy of scheduling your day is “time blocking”. It is a simple yet effective way to maximize your time by blocking time for specific activities.
For instance, if you have to study physics, you will select a time and block it for all other activities. Block works like a lock and doesn’t allow you to do anything else in the blocks. This strategy is effective because it stops you from repetitive distractions, such as checking phone and updates.
The day theming technique
If you need to prepare for your exams and need to cover one subject everyday, then day theming will work best for you. You will dedicate each day to one subject only. In this technique, you don’t need to set aside time blocks for each sub-task.
Day theming may not work well for everyone because it requires that you have developed habits of removing distractions already.
Task batching technique
Another helpful technique to know how to study more in less time is called task batching technique. This method is used to group similar and smaller tasks together. You will also schedule a specific time for each smaller task and define a larger time frame to finish all the small tasks.
For instance, if you need to solve the example exercises of math. First assign time for each example. Then you will assign a time for finishing all the examples. You can use task batching during an exam as well when you will time and group the tasks.
Tip #5 Effective learning and study routines
A mix of good study habits result in effective learning. If you are short on time, don’t worry! Using the techniques mentioned above, you can save your exams. We still recommend that you should increase your work steadily during a course or class.
For instane, if you are in 10th class, you should have a slow and steady approach to studying in 9th class. By the time you have to appear for the final board exams, you would have your notes in place and doubts cleared. For your own learning, the best way to learn is to go slow and practice with patience.
If you have a healthy study routine, you won’t miss out on the fun of being with friends and family. Rather, it is very important for your learning to stay relaxed. Therefore, remember to relax and enjoy as well. Once your brain is trained to know that you are not going to starve it of fun and relaxation, your brain is more willing to take the load of studying.
Tip # 6 Enjoy the process of learning more than the grade
Enjoying the process is an interesting and effective way to bring focus to studies. When your focus is on enjoying how chemistry works, how you can experiment with physics, and so on, you are actually more prepared for a lifetime of learning.
Therefore, enjoy the process more than the grade itself (while keeping an eye on the goal).
Now, it is time to hear you in the comments below! What are your favorite takeaways from how to study for exams?
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