Study Tips For Exams

 The months of August and September are stressful for every Indian student - school or college-going. These months bring up EXAMS. These exams mark the end of the first semester. Most of us start studying around 3 weeks before exams. But a few students prefer studying a day before their exams. It may seem as if this last minute cramming technique works but it doesn't - at all. So, it's high time to gear up and start studying!

In this post, I bring to you 5 efficient study tips that will help you score great this semester. 

8 Study Tips For Exams 

1. Study with intervals. 

This technique is recommended by most experts. If you're studying for half an hour, take a break for 5 minutes and then continue studying. If you're studying for 45 minutes or one hour, take a 10 to 15 minute break. 

These short breaks help you reinvigorate your mind and start fresh. This also helps maintain focus. During this short break, you can eat a snack, take a quick shower, meditate, or take a nap. But for God's sake, don't stay on your phone for more than a minute as this leads to a major distraction and waste of time. 

2. Set up a timetable. 

This one has been really helping since the past two years. Approximately 2 weeks before exams, I set up a timetable where I mention every chapter from every subject and the amount of time I will spend on it before exams approach and during examinations. 

For instance; my exams are starting from September 9, 2020. My target is to cover 3 difficult chapters from Science, 4 from Social Sciences, and 3 from Mathematics. I will schedule my time for each of these subjects before the first exam approaches. Then, I will focus on all the language subjects. 

This way I'll be sure that my syllabus is being covered alongside and I am paying extra attention to the chapters that I find strenuous. 

3. Make efficient notes.

At one point in seventh grade I discovered myself writing super long notes that I didn't even require. I mean, I was basically copy-pasting the whole book on a notebook. One of my friends suggested to write short keywords from the chapter itself. And yes, that really helped. 

For some people writing keywords might not help them. Instead, you can make tables, flowcharts, flashcards, or diagrams that may help you comprehend the topic better. Acronyms are another way to learn keywords of a chapter. Anything that suits you! 

4. Reviewing previous test papers. 

It's always helpful to study test papers from previous years. This is a good way of knowing how much did you understand from the concept. If you haven't answered a question in your notebook (whose answer you might not have known), try answering it now. 

This method will help you cover most concepts from your exam. 

5. Become the teacher. 

Teaching someone what you know about is an amazing way to study yourself. This method helps you recall all you know about a specific concept. You can generally explain the topic to a peer, sibling, or maybe a soft toy (anyone who you know will listen to you). It's all about learning through teaching! 

6. Have nutritious snacks. 

Snacks can help you prevent cravings for meals during long study hours. But it's essential to eat nutritious snacks like a fruit, salad, nuts, etc. These snacks are like bridges that keep your stomach full and not let you starve. 

The idea is to keep eating healthy instead of junk. You may even have a chocolate or two (not more than that) to keep that energy flowing in your body.

7. Drinking water.

Water helps in increasing energy and relieves fatigue. It helps in maintaining good focus and concentration. It also improves memory and builds your mood. It banishes any headaches which may prevent you from studying. Thus, keep drinking water and aim for at least 2 litres a day. 

8. Take power naps. 

There is nothing better than good power nap during a stressful day. Set a timer for 15 to 30 minutes when you feel like taking a nap. This way you'll not sleep for the whole day without knowing. Make sure to not sleep for more than half an hour as you'll get drowsy after that and it will no longer be a power nap. 

I can assure you that if you study hard smart, you'll definitely score well this semester. Memorize these tips because they'll help you everytime. Thanks for reading and have a wonderful day!