LIKE many students at university, you may be unhappy about the results you attain in exams. You may feel that even with all you are doing, there must be something more or different you could be doing to get better grades.
We have all at some time or other heard of that student who only studies a couple of hours for final exams and scores As every time. We stand in fear of those who seem to breeze through without unnecessary effort and seem to need very little in the way of studying to nail an exam.
The reasons for success, in what I think are the vast majority of cases, are less secret than many students think. Successful students consistently apply a series of productive strategies with view to attaining clearly identified learning and grade goals throughout the academic term.
Where challenges transpire
Sometimes the difficulties students have with preparing effectively for exams stem from a need to develop fundamental skills such as time management, reading for comprehension, note-taking, and coping with anxiety.
In some cases students have difficulty developing an adequate understanding of the theoretical perspectives of the course or the course concepts and applying this understanding of one part of the course to another.
Others try to maintain their old approach to studies and this may involve them choosing to memorise materials when it may be more appropriate to work logically or interpretively. This in turn may lead to increased anxiety and a chance of “blanking out” in exams.
Additionally, it is often the case that students seek effortless, short-term solutions to studying for exams, trying to learn a full year’s work in the matter of a few days intensive studying.
In sum, the reasons for failure or poor grades can often be traced to the absence or breakdown of a productive approach to learning. These kinds of issues are common to many students and can be worked out with a little instruction and application of new strategies to your efforts as follows:
1. Organise enough time to study
Don’t leave it until the last minute. While some students do seem to thrive on last-minute “cramming”, it’s widely accepted that for most of us, this is not the best way to approach an exam.
Set out a timetable for your study. Write down how many exams you have and the days on which you have to sit them. Then organise your study accordingly.
2. Set your study space
Make sure you have enough space to spread your textbooks and notes out. Have you got enough light? Is your chair comfortable?
Try and get rid of all distractions, and make sure you feel as comfortable and able to focus as possible.
For some people, this may mean almost complete silence; for others, background music helps. Some of us need everything completely tidy and organised in order to concentrate, while others thrive in a more cluttered environment.
Think about what works for you, and take the time to get it right.
3. Use charts and diagrams
Visual aids can be really helpful when revising.
At the start of a topic, challenge yourself to write down everything you already know about a topic and then highlight where the gaps lie.
Closer to the exam, condense your revision notes into one-page diagrams. Getting your ideas down in this brief format can then help you to quickly recall everything you need to know during the exam.
4. Practise on previous exams
One of the most effective ways to prepare for exams is to practise taking past versions. This helps you get used to the format of the questions, and if you could time yourself can also be good practice for making sure you spend the right amount of time on each section.
5. Organise study groups with friends
Get together with friends for a study session. You may have questions that they have the answers to and vice versa. As long as you make sure you stay focused on the topic for an agreed amount of time, this can be one of the most effective ways to challenge yourself.
6. Take regular breaks
While you may think it’s best to study for as many hours as possible, this can actually be counterproductive.
If you were training for a marathon, you wouldn’t try and run 24 hours a day! Likewise studies have shown that for long-term retention of knowledge, taking regular breaks really helps.
Everyone’s different, so develop a study routine that works for you. If you study better in the morning, start early before taking a break at lunch time. Or if you’re more productive at nighttime, take a longer break earlier on so you’re ready to settle down come evening.
Try not to feel guilty about being out enjoying the sunshine instead of bent over your textbooks. Remember vitamin D is important for a healthy brain!
7. Eat healthy food
Keep away from junk food! Keep your body and brain well-fuelled by choosing nutritious foods that have been proven to aid concentration and memory, such as fish, nuts, seeds, yogurt and green vegetables.
The same applies on exam day — eat a good meal before the test, based on foods that will provide a slow release of energy throughout.
8. Plan your exam day
Make sure you get everything ready well in advance of the exam — don’t leave it to the day before to suddenly realise you don’t know the way, or what you’re supposed to bring. Check all the rules and requirements, and plan your route and journey time. If possible, write down clear directions about the exam venue.
9. Drink plenty of water
As a final tip, remember that being well hydrated is essential for your brain to work at its best. Make sure you keep drinking plenty of water throughout your revision, and also on exam day.
Good luck!
* Ravinesh Prasad is a lecturer in education at the Fiji National University’s College of Humanities and Education. The above tips/views are his and not of this newspaper.
