Exam preparations are a stressful period for any student. You try to grab and understand as much information as you can, while you are stressed about your grades.
Every student has a technique that works for them and it is advisable to stick to it. FundiConnect is an online platform that guides students through their education journey, this website shares some strategies that university students and learners can use to effectively study for exams.
These are the tips:
Create a study plan: According to the publication mentioned above, before you begin studying, you should sit down and figure out when you should study so that you are well-prepared for your different exams.
“Before writing your examinations, review all of your modules, exam dates, and the amount of content you need to cover. Plot them on a calendar so you know what to study and when,” explains Fundi Connect.
It further mentioned that having a plan can help relieve stress throughout the exam period and ensure that you have learned everything you need to know before writing.
Space Out Your Studying: The publication warned that cramming the night before an exam is a terrible idea, it increases tension, and it may even cause you to perform poorly on the day of the exam.
“When organizing your study schedule, make sure to leave enough time for each subject leading up to the exam. Ensure that you’ve studied consistently in the weeks leading up to the exam so that all you have to do the day before is go over your notes and refresh your memory.”
Practice Active Learning. FundiConnect explained active learning as engaging with your learning material by generating meaning from textbooks, notes, and lectures using examples and other study methods. Examples of active learning according to the publication include developing a specific subject study guide, making your own quiz, explaining topics out loud in your own words, and creating concept maps or diagrams.
Eat Healthy While Studying for Exams: “Eating healthily when studying for exams improves your brain activity and capacity to concentrate. This is why it’s important to eat food that boosts your energy and attentiveness,” explained the above-mentioned publication. It further mentioned that food that improve brain function include broccoli, spinach, salmon, dark chocolate, and green tea. If you are looking for snacks, the publication suggested nutritious snacks such as almonds, yoghurt, dried fruits, and oats.
“These foods have been shown to enhance your mental sharpness, memory recall, and energy levels. It’s better to avoid sugary foods because the blood sugar levels drop after the initial energy spike, increasing exhaustion and tempting you to take a break sooner than anticipated.” FundiConnect also warned that dehydration can cause fatigue, therefore keeping a bottle of water available while studying is advisable.
Investec also suggested that practising on past exam papers helps. The publication reported that using past exam papers is an important tool when preparing for exams and that the time frame you decide to practise on is equally essential.
“A common mistake is to wait until shortly before the exam to test oneself on old test papers. The risk of taking this last-minute method is that if you score lower than predicted, it will undermine your confidence.”
The publication suggested that revising old papers earlier will give you plenty of opportunity to fix any areas of weakness before the final exam.
Also see: Ways to upskill yourself as a graduate
