If you’re like most college students, your exams are fast approaching and you’re probably panicking about how to study effectively in such little time. The good news is that it’s possible to use the little time you have effectively if you follow these five tips.
1) Get an Early Start
A lot of students think the best way to study for an exam is to cram in all the information they can before the exam. This may seem like a good idea, but in reality, it isn’t. The key to studying for an exam with limited time is getting an early start by organizing your study materials, reviewing your notes and taking some practice tests as soon as possible. In addition, you should also try not to study too late at night as it will interfere with your sleep pattern and make it harder for you to focus during your review.
If you follow these five tips, chances are you’ll ace your exams when you’re short on time!
2) Find Resources to Make Studying Easier
To find the best resources, search online and see what your school offers. There are many websites that offer lesson notes, flashcards, powerpoints and other study tools. You can even find study groups in your area or ask a friend if they have time to quiz you for the day before your test. No matter what you do, make sure that you have prepared yourself for the exam by taking practice tests and reviewing the material over and over again.
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3) Set Realistic Goals
Some of your friends might be celebrating the end of finals, but if you want to get good grades and maintain your GPA, you still have three exams left to take. Set a realistic goal for yourself and make a study plan that includes these five tips:
- Make time for studying by blocking out time in your calendar before finals;
- Stick to your schedule when making deadlines;
- Focus on those concepts that you need help with;
- Take breaks between long study sessions;
- Make sure you are well-rested so that studying doesn’t become an overwhelming task.
4) Break Down Big Projects into Steps
It’s easy to procrastinate on a project when you break it into manageable, actionable steps. Let’s say that you have a huge pile of laundry waiting for you. Sort each pile according to color, then size each pile according to your washing machine. Divide the pile into its component parts – white clothes, dark clothes, etc.
5) Stay Organized
Managing your time will help you to study better. For instance, try studying for a certain period of time each day or each week for one class at a time. Give yourself enough time to work on your studies but not so much that you make yourself exhausted, making it difficult to focus and perform in school.
To make your homework session easier and more relaxing, arrange your furniture or find a spot where you will be comfortable and set out all of your materials for your next class: books, notes, laptop, pencils, pens, notebooks, assignment. This will enable you to continue your current task uninterrupted. What’s more, it conserves space!