We’ve already discussed why cramming for a test isn’t the best way to prepare for exams; now, we want to give you some tools to help prepare you for your final exams.
1. Don’t procrastinate!
Don’t wait till the day before a test to start studying. Set aside time every day for at least one week to study for exams. If you are studying multiple subjects, break up your studying time so that you spend a little time researching for each test every day. Going over the information every day leading up to the test allows your brain to store the information and new skills in your long-term memory. Also, give yourself some breaks between studying for your exams with these tips for blowing off steam.
2. Munch on healthy snacks during study.
Some foods like nuts, berries and salmon have memory-boosting properties. Regardless of whether those foods actually increase your memory, they are not magical, so you still need to study your material. This doesn’t mean you can’t snack while you study.
One tip for keeping your brain alert is avoiding processed sugary foods. Sugar may give you some energy, but after overeating sugar, you may experience a sugar crash or a nasty headache. To prevent the adverse effects of snacking, eat healthy snacks while studying.
3. Try group study.
For some students, studying in a group can be very beneficial. Part of the reason is that study groups get you talking about your learning. Talking through the class material helps the information become engrained in your memory.
If you missed a day of class or had a day where you couldn’t understand a lesson, then the other students could help you review the main points from those days. An excellent activity if you are part of a study group is to write practice tests for one another and then review them all together. This will give you a well-rounded overview of all the material that must be covered and help prevent you from accidentally skipping over important information.
4. Get a good night’s sleep.
Another reason staying up all night cramming for a test is detrimental is that you need a good night’s sleep. Sleeping at least 8 hours will ensure that your body is well rested and that your brain is ready to function when it is test-taking time.
There’s always a crucial test just around the corner, so use these tips for studying for exams to help you prepare. Try to stay calm, keep your test-taking anxiety to a minimum, and before you know it, school will be out. And remember to contact School is Easy for any extra help you need!
