We can all agree that the weeks leading up to exams can be scary and burdensome as we are suddenly faced with a glaring reality: Exams are here!
The pressure to prepare for exams can be overwhelming. For every student, there are a lot of things to consider while preparing for exams or tests and some things must be put in place to get the desired result.
Here, are seven (7) important tips to prepare you for an examination:
It is important to understand how you assimilate. Understanding this will help you plan out a reading schedule. Ask yourself questions like, am I a fast learner? How many times do I have to study something before I comprehend it?
Some students have discovered that they assimilate better when they jot things down while reading, while others say music helps them assimilate information faster. Other learners say they assimilate better during the day and not at night. Understanding the level with which you assimilate will also help you in creating a perfect reading schedule to enhance your assimilation.
Create a reading schedule that works best for you and outline what and how you want to read. Drawing out a study timetable will not only help you build a healthy reading culture but also help you become more organized. The time table can be created for normal school work, and redesigned during exam periods.
Your reading timetable shouldn’t have very long hours for reading as this would only fag you out. You will know if your study timetable is truly efficient if it helps you in managing your time and increases your study productivity.
When preparing for an exam you must have someone you can study or revise with. In doing this, you have to be sure that you are focused and not just in need of a gist partner. For this to be effective, you and your partner should have similar goals. In cases where you cannot get a revision partner, you can just set questions for yourself and review the answers when you are done.
We all have times when we get lazy or procrastinate. Sometimes, instead of getting to work, we drown ourselves in things that shouldn’t even be a priority. Even more so, studying can be a bit stressful rather than fun. However, we must get our priorities straightened out by concentrating all our thoughts and efforts on the goal at hand. The day of your exams will come and you must be prepared. Despite popular opinion, you have a say on how your results turn out, so be prepared.
Set realistic goals and motivate yourself. Your source of motivation should be sustainable. You must also understand that learning is a lifelong thing, hence, it must be achieved through patience and due process. This "due process” includes attending classes regularly, continuous studying, sampling and attempting practice questions, having the right learning and studying materials, having the correct insight on what the examiner wants and so on. Rome was not built in a day. Do not compare your effort and progress with someone else's. You must keep in mind that everyone has different abilities. Instead of putting so much pressure on yourself, ask for guidance from a tutor or your mate. Know this, quitting is not an option.
Studies have shown that some food stimulates our brain in processing and retaining information. An example of such food that helps with brainpower includes dark chocolate, blueberries, oranges, fatty fish such as salmon, nuts, eggs, green tea and so on. Avoid going long hours without rest or sleep as the effect can be catastrophic. The importance of eating healthy and having enough rest to increase brain efficiency can not be overstated as it refuels and improves the overall performance of the body system.
You might say, "how can I be calm when I have so much pressure on me?” or, ‘how can I be calm when I am facing a critical junction in my life?’ You have to be calm before and during the exams. Being calm before the exams will help you carefully strategize and follow your reading plan. Understand your weakness or strength and work on them before the exams. Predict questions and evaluate the correctness of your answers. Calmness during the examination will give you the ability to read instructions carefully, manage time properly and even understand how to attempt questions properly and thoroughly.
In all, it can be concluded that every learner must learn to deal with whatever anxiety that comes with examinations by being prepared. Dealing with exam anxiety and having desirable results can be achieved if the above tips are put in place. Finally, do not cut corners no matter how attractive the idea might seem.
