As exam season quickly approaches, today, I’m hoping to offer some of my best and unique studying tricks that I’ve accumulated throughout the last four years of college! If you’ve ever wished you could ask a college senior how to best prepare for exams (and in the quickest way possible of COURSE!), then this article is for you. Keep reading to find out the secrets to an exam “A” today…

Studying in the Virtual Environment…

Time Management and Early Preparation

Yes, despite the ease of procrastination that often leads us to wait until the last minute to complete assignments, projects, and study materials, the key to success is managing time and beginning the study process early enough. Doing so not only helps you to stay organized, as we also encourage you to block off a relatively short, but significant, amount of time each day leading up to the exam, but will help you divide out the bulk of studying so as to not have to account for loads of materials in a short time period. Additionally, it has been scientifically proven that our brains retain information much more efficiently if spaced out over time, instead of in the 48 hours leading up to the exam. So, how do you get started? We recommend compiling your notes from the semester into a document where you can read, interact, and even create flashcards or other resources based on the most important topics.

Listening to Your Brain

This may sound unique, but yes, I am encouraging you to STOP studying when your brain alerts you! We’ve all been there, it’s midnight, we’re basically asleep but still pushing through to get in that last hour of studying for the exam. While you may think I sound crazy, I am a firm believer in the importance of sleeping, taking a walk, grabbing a cup of coffee, or otherwise removing yourself from the material to avoid going crazy. Even more, it’s highly unlikely that in your state of exhaustion you will be capable of retaining important information. So, by blocking off little time periods for a week or two leading up to the exam (doesn’t have to be more than 30 mins/day!), and avoiding the late hours of the night, you’ll be able to ace your exam without giving up your mental health and stability.

Remember, one exam will not shift the course of your life! Take a deep breath, and don’t go too crazy – you’ve already learned the majority of information solely by attending class. Following the tips above will prove the key to push you over the edge to that A!

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