Exam Prep-Tips: It’s All About the Easy Procedures of Studying Well During Exams
When exams pop up, most friends and colleagues advise, “Study hard and memorize everything overnight.” But is this the best way? Reality is that it is about how and when you study, not only what you study. When the right habits are established, studying will become easier, less stressful, and more effective for the brain in retaining the information. Let’s examine some of the scientific and practical methods that can effectively prepare you for examination.
1. Chunking
Have you ever tried to memorize an enormous amount of data at one time? Your brain quickly became fatigued. Because, as our short term memory, it has a limitation of remembering up to 5 to 9 things at a time.
That’s why chunking is easier. Instead of memorizing long history dates directly, break them into groups like: War of Independence, Constitution, Partition period, etc.
Information is somehow grouped and patterns formed in the brain for easy remembering.
2. Fight the Forgetting Curve
In 1870, researcher Hermann Ebbinghaus demonstrated that we forget about half of what we have learned in one day and about 90% in one week: thus, revision needs to happen often.
Do short revision sessions of 10-15 minutes each day. Create flashcards, quiz yourself, or get someone to do it for you. Connect what you’re reading to what you already know.
For example, you could have a scientific principle imbedded firmly in your mind if you connect it with anything occurring in your routine life.
3. Light exercise before study
Light jogging or stretching can help increase the supply of oxygen to the brain and serve as an activator for the memory centre – the hippocampus.
Walking or stretching for 15-20 minutes daily will set your brain up for studying.
Enough would be 150 minutes of light exercise like yoga, cycling, or walking per week.
4. Take short breaks during long sessions
Hours studying exhausts the body, which causes distraction. The Pomodoro Technique is the solution:
- 25 minutes study
- 5-minute break
After completing this cycle four times, you take a break of 30 minutes.
During your breaks, avert from the monitor, close your eyes, hydrate or do some mild stretching.
5. Determine your excursion
All have their time for study at peak. Very few people study early in the morning, while others study better at night.
Those who study in the mornings acquire freshness because of the full night’s sleep.
On the other hand, the student who studies at night has an advantage because his brain flushes everything into the hole with sleep.
Stick to the time that suits you best.
6. Active Retrieval Practice
One cannot gain knowledge from one’s reading; rather, one has to revise the information memorized.
After studying a few hours, set aside time to ask one’s own questions and then try to answer them.
Flashcards can be used, while one can also teach fellow students-the teacher role enhances memory capacity.
7. Use Spaced Repetition
Better than cramming is raising in small chunks over days. For part, for example, revising every other day helps an individual keep information better.
8. Take up Multisensory Learning
We remember things better when we learn the same information with different senses.
- Write down formulas and draw diagrams.
- Listen to the topic in audio.
- Try understanding through videos or diagrams.
9. Tap study groups Use of study groups
Friends have proven that studying together is equally effective.
- Question and answer among yourselves.
- Debate on a topic.
- Explanations to others improve preparation.
10. Create the environment conducive for studying
Environment is a major determinant in keeping concentration.
- Select a quiet place, either a corner in the library or your corner at home.
- Put mobile notifications off.
- If you want, you can play some soft instrumental music in the background.
11. Take care of your rest and health
Sleep, food, and rest are as important as studying.
- Get 7-9 hours of sleep every day.
- Eat fruits, vegetables, and nuts, and drink a lot of water.
- Avoid screens before sleeping.
12. Create a goal-based plan
Divide a broad act of preparation into smaller ones and establish daily goals.
- “I have to solve 5 math questions today.”
- “I have to memorize 2 paragraphs of Economics today.”
Accomplishing goals increases both confidence and motivation.
13. Revisit and Reorganize
At the end of every week, check out if your study techniques are working.
- Among which method is working the best? Needs changing?
- Can I attach any new methods?
This will keep improving your strategy over time.
14. Leverage Technology Tools
Today, a multitude of apps assists in making study easier.
- Quizlet: for creating flashcards
- Forest: for tracking focus time
- Notion or Evernote: for notes and planning
Conclusion
Preparing for the exams does not mean one’s head will fill up with facts and figures. This preparation is a smart process, even requiring smart procedures.
From Chunking to Pomodoro, Active Retrieval to Spaced Repetition, From Right Timing to Right Environment-all these methods will not only help improve concentration and memory but also prevent stress and burnout.
Remember, intelligent studying is studying well. Prepare with the right methods, and the results will automatically improve.
