During exam time, we all reach our limits: lack of sleep, stress, and a lack of motivation are commonplace. In this article, you’ll learn how to better navigate this trying time.
Establish a learning plan early enough.
Before you even start studying, you need to make a clear and realistic learning plan. It’s best to do this as soon as you find out you’re going to take an exam, not when it’s too late. If you have multiple exams scheduled at the same time, it’s important to plan your days carefully so you don’t neglect any subject and stress yourself out. To do this, you need to find out what topics will be asked of you in the exam. If you haven’t received a list of objectives yet, ask your teacher to do it or make one yourself.
To stick to the plan, it needs to be realistic .Set a goal for yourself to achieve per day, such as a certain number of pages in the textbook or a certain number of exercises or worksheets. Be aware that you also need breaks . At some point, your brain is no longer able to assimilate new information. Then it’s no longer worth continuing to study!
Also, build in some buffer time in case something doesn’t work out as planned. A topic may turn out to be more difficult than expected, or you may not be able to stick to your study plan due to an unforeseen event. To avoid things going haywire, set aside time to make sure you learn everything before the exam.
A tidy workplace
A tidy workplace is important for good learning! We all know how easily distracted we get when the desk is cluttered. Sorting pencils by color is more fun than cramming English words. To avoid temptation, it’s best to tidy your desk before you start studying. Make sure you have plenty of paper and working highlighters, and always place a bottle of water or tea on the table.
The right learning method
To learn effectively, you need to determine which learning method suits you best. Are you creative and enjoy writing summaries, lists, and overviews? Or do you learn better with flashcards? Does it help to be part of a learning group that helps you stay motivated? It’s best to try all the methods. You’ll find some articles on the blog that might help you find the perfect learning method for you.
Practice makes the professional
The most important thing is practice. If you learn new things every day without ever repeating old things, you will have forgotten everything in no time! This applies to rote memorization, but also to the practical application of theory.
If you are part of a learning group, ask each other questions, explain the theory to each other, and create possible exam questions that you can ask each other. If no one has time, you can also explain what you have learned to your parents, a stuffed animal, or, in the worst case, the wall. By repeating the material, we memorize it better.
If you have the opportunity to solve old exam questions, do not hesitate to take advantage of it! If you feel ready, simulate an exam and then add up the points you have obtained. This way yo u will know exactly where you stand, what you have already understood, and what you may need to review.
Breaks
As we’ve already said, plans break, too! You may have already heard of the Pomodoro method. It involves dividing learning into time to learn and time to break: for example, you learn for 30 minutes, then take a 5-minute break. This is repeated several times before taking a longer break. This allows you to divide the learning units into smaller chunks and give your head a little rest from time to time.
It’s up to each person to figure out how to divide the time. Some learn a lot at once and take longer breaks, while others are more efficient with shorter time intervals.
But if you start using your cell phone during your breaks and scrolling through social media, your brain won’t rest!
During learning breaks, you should no longer absorb new information, but do something good for your body and mind. Go for a walk, open the window, do some exercise, or lie down for a while and listen to your favorite song! This way, after your break, you’ll have enough energy to tackle the next step.
Planning for the day of the exam
Especially if you have a lot of exams to take in a short time, it’s helpful to plan the exam day carefully. What time do you get up, a nd what time does your bus leave? Have you packed one or more good pens and your calculator? Have you packed your water bottle and a small snack from ” Brainfood “?
Also, plan a well-deserved break after the exam. Cook something tasty, watch a movie, meet your friends for ice cream, and go to bed early. With such small rewards, learning is much easier.
Don’t give up!
Don’t give up! Try to motivate yourself with rewards and breaks, a nd always keep your goals in mind! Remember that you are not alone. It may be helpful to exchange ideas in a learning group. This way, you realize that everyone sometimes has a bad day and is not always motivated. And if all this no longer helps, take a break. It is precisely for such moments that you plan buffer time. You can then rest and resume later, motivated and full of energy.
