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For many, December means holiday cheer and looking forward to time together with families. However, for some, it means something that’s not so fun: exams. College students with fall semester’s winding down are either taking their exams now or about to. If you are a college student who needs help preparing for exams, this guide is here to help you.
Start Studying Yesterday
When you study before exams, you should be reviewing material, not learning it for the first time. Here’s the unfortunate truth about doing well on exams: if you weren’t doing well in class, you aren’t likely to do well on the exams. In college, it’s easy to slack. After all, they’re not going to call your parents if you miss class, right? By attending class regularly, turning in assignments on time, and engaging with your professors, you’ll be golden.
Know Your Strong/Weak spots
Picture this: you have two exams on the same day. One is in a class that you have an A in, another is in a class you have a B- in. They’re worth the same percentage of your grade. Which one should you prioritize? The second one, of course.
Make a Study Plan and Space
Don’t try to review by flopping open a dozen textbooks and notebooks and letting your eyes glaze over. Let yourself become immersed in the study process through approaches that actually test your knowledge. Make flashcards, have friends quiz you, write down everything you know about a particular topic off the top of your head. It’s your brain, work it. Also, find an undisturbed place to reserve for your study time.
Study with Buddies
You aren’t the only one with exams and having someone to discuss material/compare notes with can be an asset. Find two or three people in any class you need a bit more help with and organize a study group. Just don’t let the group get too large, as this might lead to too much talking and not enough reviewing.
Give Yourself a Break
First of all, give yourself a break by not being so hard on yourself. Again, if you goofed off all semester, you might be understandably freaked out and nervous. Otherwise, you can trust yourself and you’ll be fine.
Also, make sure you are taking breaks to unwind while studying. Marathon studying is just bound to cause stress and confusion in the long run.
Keep Your Memory Sharp
The key to exam success is retaining information, and there are plenty of ways to do that, through exercises (both physical and mental), good sleep habits, and proper eating.
Don’t think brain food is real? Well, a good diet is linked to a good mind. Some food that can sharpen your mind includes fish, nuts, berries, and a wide array of vegetables.
Study Every Day
You should set aside at least two hours a day to study. If you can’t find two hours to study, odds are you might need some help with your priorities. This doesn’t need to be stressful. In fact, it can be rather fun to review and realize how much you have learned since the semester began.
With studying for college exams, you can either be your own best friend or your own worst enemy. You should know that you are smart enough, after all, you made it this far. However, it might seem tempting to neglect studying or study in an unhelpful manner. With proper preparation and a healthy attitude, there is no reason to be worried about exams.
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