Last week we promised we would give you some tips for studying for exams. We’ve already talked about why cramming for a test isn’t the best way to prepare for exams. Now we want to give you some tools that should help prepare you for your final exams.
1. Don’t procrastinate studying for exams
Don’t wait till the day before a test to start studying. Set aside time every day for at least one week to study for exams. If you are studying for multiple subjects break up your studying time so that you spend a little time every day studying for each different test. By going over the information every day leading up to the test you are actually allowing your brain to store the information and new skills in your long term memory. Also, give your self some breaks between studying for your exams with these tips for blowing off steam.
2. Munch on healthy snacks as you are studying for exams
Some foods like nuts, berries and salmon are said to have memory boosting properties. Regardless of if those foods actually do increase your memory or not, they are not magical; therefore you still need to spend the time to study your material. This doesn’t mean you can’t snack while you study.
One tip for keeping your brain alert is to avoid eating processed sugary foods. Sugar may give you some energy but after eating too much sugar you may experience a sugar crash or a bad headache. In order to avoid the negative effects of snacking make sure to eat healthy snacks while studying.
3. Studying for exams in a group can be beneficial
For some students studying in a group can be very beneficial. Part of the reason is because study groups get you talking about what you are learning. When you talk through the class material it helps the information get engrained into your memory.
If you missed a day of class or had a day where you couldn’t understand a lesson then perhaps the other students can help you to review the main points from those days. A good activity to do if you are part of a study group is to write practice tests for one another in the group and then review them all together. This will give you a well-rounded overview of all of the material that needs to be covered and help prevent you from accidentally skipping over important information.
4. Get a good night’s sleep leading up to a test
Another reason why staying up all night cramming for a test is detrimental is because you need to get a good night’s sleep. Sleeping at least 8 hours will ensure that your body is well rested and that your brain is ready to function when it is test-taking time.
Finals are just around the corner, so use these tips for studying for exams to help you prepare. Try to stay calm and keep your test taking anxiety to a minimum, and before you know it school will be out and summer vacation will be in full swing!