Imagine this- it’s exam week, and you’ve spent months preparing for a single test. The clock is ticking. There are only a few days left until your grades are finalized, and you’re counting on an A to bring your grade back up. To nail that grade you will need to step up your studying routine.
You’ve heard that it’s possible to absorb massive amounts of information in very little time, but you don’t know how to do it. The situation is dire; the fate of your future rests solely on what you learn in these next couple of days.
What will you do? Will you be ready to ace the test without breaking too much of a sweat? Have no fear! Read on to find out what you’re missing in your studying routine.
Practice Tests
If you’re serious about learning as much as you can in a short amount of time, then practice tests are a MUST. Simply reading over your notes and textbooks will not get the job done. Most textbooks include an end-of-chapter quiz with answers at the back of the book.
You can take these and review them with a study buddy to ensure that you’ve got all your answers. Set a timer to help simulate what a real test feels like. The more practice you get, the more ready you’ll be for the real thing.
Taking Detailed Notes
If you’re going to take practice tests, it would be wise for you to write EVERYTHING down. Many students learn more by writing things out by hand than when they type them on their laptops or smartphones. This is because writing requires more effort than typing, so you will automatically strengthen the memory pathways associated with whatever you’re writing about.
You’ll also be able to see your thoughts in front of you in written form. Writing it out helps cement concepts in your mind much better than just looking at boring lecture notes or textbooks.
Calming The Body
When you’re studying, it’s important to be mindful of how your body manages all of the stress you’re putting it under. Get up and walk around every hour or so. Go for a quick jog outside if it’s not too cold out. If it’s a bit too frigid for your taste, go back inside and pace back and forth while lifting some weights.
Breathing exercises work well as relaxing breaks when you’re stuck inside. Follow these four easy steps for more soothing breathing:
- Breathe in deeply through your nose while counting to 4
- Hold your breath while counting to 7
- Exhale slowly through your mouth while counting to 8
- Repeat this cycle 5-10 times
Frequent Breaks
In addition to giving your body a break, you can give your mind a restful break with the Pomodoro Technique. You spend 25 minutes studying and then have a 5-minute break with this technique. Repeat this cycle until you need to be refreshed or feel too tired to continue studying.
Undecided on your degree? Check out this article 3 Popular Degrees You Won’t Find Online.
