Top 10 best ways to study for exams
When preparing to write a professional exam, most people get scared of failing, maybe because of the low percentage of those who previously passed or examination tension. Staying positively minded is one of the keys to being successful in every life venture. In this article, we have presented the 10 best ways to study for exams
Ben Carson once told a story in his book “The Gifted Hands” in which he narrated his childhood story when he was a dullard and would always take the last position in the class. These got his mother worried, and she thought about what she could do to help her son Ben, and she came up with an idea, and that’s what changed Ben Carson. She realized he wasn’t maximizing what was within his reach, and that was proper preparation.
He was mocked and abused by his teacher and classmates. Little did they know that from a dull student like Ben could come such a renowned man in the history of neurosurgery. The difference between his failure and success was proper preparation. The story changed when he started reading, he read almost every book his hand could touch.
Proper preparation will give you more confidence on the day of your exam. However, following our guide will let you know the rules you must follow to plan appropriately and succeed in your exams. So sit still and read on.
Here are the 10 best ways to study for exams
These tips are a very helpful guide to excel in your exams
- Start early
- Ask relevant questions
- Avoid distractions
- Try swapping location
- Review and respond to past questions
- Create a study group
- Take a break
- Eat healthy food
- Take water regularly
- Plan for the examination day
1. Start early
Most people use the “fire brigade approach” to prepare for exams, which is not the best. You must avoid procrastination, start early, schedule your time to study, and begin immediately after each class is complete. Students who read their notes at intervals after an easy class tend to find questions easy to answer. An early start gives you sufficient time to cover many topics.
2. Ask relevant questions
Don’t keep silent when struggling with a particular course or topic; ask questions you know will be of help to you. You can talk to a friend, classmate, or instructor to be sure nothing is ambiguous. If you have a phobia of exams, interact with those who have succeeded with the exams you are about to write.
3. Avoid distractions
Having a suitable environment is vital when getting ready for an exam. Make sure you keep away whatever will bring you distractions so you can focus. Some people can concentrate and read in a noisy environment—reading with music—while others don’t feel comfortable when it’s quiet. Whichever works for you, you should organize your space and let every moment count. Arrange your notes in order of priority, and keep your desk clean.
4. Try swapping the location
Don’t confine yourself to a particular corner of your room while studying for exams. Visit other places, like the library, the classroom, or a convenient area where you can spend quality time studying. This will help in understanding where you can maximize your time efficiently without being distracted.
5. Review and respond to past questions
It is advisable to review and respond to past exam questions because questions may occasionally be repeated or rephrased. This is one of the best ways to study for exams because it will not only give you an edge over what you may encounter but also help you understand the tone of the examiner and areas on which to focus your study. Practice timing yourself in each section to see how fast you can beat the time.
6. Create a study group
In creating a study group, make sure participants are not easily distracted from the focus point. It is very effective to study in a group during exam preparation. A group helps one to avoid procrastination and focus on what is relevant. Members of a study group help each other remember what they may have forgotten. They equally share vital points that may be part of the exam question.
7. Take a break
It is good to stay up late studying, but it is best to take a break when you are no longer assimilating what you are reading. Taking a break after long reading hours helps resuscitate the brain for another round of study. Schedule your reading time, considering the best period of the day that suits you. Spend your time during those hours, and take enough breaks to cool the brain. You can remind yourself of those things you read while you are away. Do well to maximize your free time.
8. Eat healthy food
Most people neglect what they eat while considering the best ways to study for exams. Do you know that the foods you consume can improve your cognitive abilities and boost your physical strength? Avoid banking on junk food for the body; instead, eat healthy and nutritious fruits and vegetables that contain vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, which will help keep your brain in its best state and supply the required energy that the body needs for this exercise.
9. Take water regularly
Take water regularly while studying for your exams because It helps carry nutrients to your brain, helps the brain cells communicate with each other, and clears out toxins and waste that prevent the brain from functioning properly. It is not ideal to stay dehydrated.
10. Plan for the examination day
It is advisable to plan for the day of your exam while you get ready. Survey how long it will take to arrive at the venue and add extra time; perhaps any delay may arise. Arrange all the materials required for that day and keep them in a corner where you can see them, so you don’t keep searching for any on that day, which may get you tensed and anxious. On the day of the exams, keep to the rules of the exams and don’t provoke the examiner.
In conclusion
It is important to note that hard work pays—”garbage in, garbage out”—because it is the information you give your brain that it can retain—endeavor to spend quality time in your preparation.
Some people are very good at cramming their notes the night before the exam and will still get good grades. However, that isn’t the best way to pass an exam. Starting earlier is one of the best ways to study for exams and succeed.
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