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Helpful Tips to Cram for an Exam

Today, I went over a practice exam in class. It was a total of thirty multiple choice questions. Not bad, right? Too bad for me because I have multiple exams next week. Does anyone else have exams coming up? Most likely yes. I’m not alone in exam stress, we’re all on the same boat. We’ve been preparing for weeks, right?! Ha! Most of us have only just started studying! Continue reading for tips on cramming for an exam!

Peace and Quiet

First and foremost, find a place that’s peaceful and quiet. Sometimes your room isn’t the best place to study. Its full of many distractions. Find a place where you can just sit and study for hours without any distractions. For instance, I like studying in the bathtub. It’s quite and no one bothers me there. Some of you may not like that idea, the library at your school may be a great alternative for you. Once you find a quiet place make sure to turn off your phone or any other electronic that may distract you. Do not go on any social media. You need to study, not check on your Instagram.

Manage your time

Obviously, you should study during your free time, but what about the 15-30 minute you have until your next class? Or the time you spend walking on the treadmill? (Don’t tell me it hasn’t crossed your mind). I’m not saying you should spend every waking moment studying, however you should think about those few minutes of free time you could be studying. Utilizing your time wisely will prevent you from pulling all-nighters.

Here are a few ideas to manage your studying time:

·      Create flashcards and take the EVERYWHERE.

·      Make a study guide and also take it EVERYWHERE

·      Study between classes

·      Recite as much information as you can while doing everyday tasks

·      Study during your commute (unless you’re driving)

Focus on the important things

If your professor provided a study guide, dedicate your life to that study guide. The exam shouldn’t be much different from it. On the other hand, if your professor didn’t provide a study guide, create your own.  Make sure to include the overall big picture but also the important topics. Be wary of not getting sidetracked into including too much information. You don’t have to use the official terminology, unless that’s part of the exam. Use whatever words help you remember the information best. If abbreviations and symbols help you remember, then go for it!

Take care of yourself

Lastly, in this time of stress it can be easy to forget to take care of yourself. Forgetting to eat or not get enough sleep can affect your test taking skills negatively. Just remember to take quick study breaks, and have some snacks handy during your study session. Sometimes it may be better to just hit the hay and just relax. Instead of neglecting sleep by staying up late studying.

Make sure to check out my pins on studying tips for college students.

Good luck on all your exams!