Learning study tips can help you as a student. Exams can be very stressful if you are not properly prepared. End-of-unit assessments require you to display your comprehension of all aspects of the topics you’ve been taught. Complex subjects, lots of content, and a limited time all compound the anxiety surrounding test taking. But with these resources, those struggles can be reduced so that you can show off what you know and ace those exams!
Struggles of Studying
We’ve all had our fair share of problems when it comes to studying. Many of us procrastinate, putting off prepping for an important test. Anything that looks too laborious can cause us to shut down and shift our focus elsewhere. When the subject is particularly complicated, we may have even more difficulty learning and remembering the content. Compounding the issue, some also have testing anxiety, causing their mind to essentially “go blank” when the test is in front of them. Let’s discuss some solutions to help overcome these issues and improve your study skills.
1. Establish Priorities
Some students have trouble with prioritizing. While good grades in all courses and high scores on all sections of a test are important, it is also critical to determine which topics need the greatest attention. For instance, if you see that exams are 75% of your grade in your math class and only 10% of your grade in English class, focus the majority of your study time on math concepts.
Proper time management is key. You can use tools like myhomeworkapp to keep track of what needs to be done and when it should be done by. If you break down studying for a large exam into smaller more manageable pieces, like studying your notes one week and reviewing past quizzes the next, all with specific due dates, then it is easier to prioritize studying.
2. Get Motivated
According to oxford-royale, the problem of procrastination can be linked to low motivation to tackle hours of studying. For example, maybe your motivation is decreased because you do not enjoy the subject, you are distracted by something else in your life, or you do not find studying enjoyable. Knowing the cause of your lack of motivation makes it easier to address.
Then consider what does motivate you, maybe time with loved ones, money, praise, or you-time. Then figure out how to incorporate those desirables into your study sessions. For instance, you can reward yourself with 2 hours of studying by taking a 1-hour break to watch your favorite show. Or allow yourself to listen to your favorite band only when you are studying. Or study with friends to make it more enjoyable (and usually more efficient). The bottom line is to determine what works best for you to increase your motivation.
3. Retain Information
According to libguides, short-term memory holds information just learned but quickly forgotten – which is not helpful for major tests that take weeks or months to prepare for. Memory aids can help you store important details assessed on a test for a longer time. First, think of what helps you remember information best. Maybe you remember something when it is associated with a song or image, or maybe when it is funny or shocking.
Then use that to help you devise study methods that would likely work for you. Such as, for those who are musically inclined, creating a mnemonic could help. For those who are drawn to comedy, making up a funny story about the topic may work. Another useful trick to help you retain information is through association. That is, relate new information to what you already know. For example, if you enjoy fishing, then you can relate the anatomy or environmental topics of your science test to your hobby.
Repetition is also key to remembering the details. You could study using flashcards, incorporating memorable images to represent the material, or completing and reviewing several practice tests. According to usa.edu, you can also use the chunking method which is breaking down large chunks of information into smaller bits that are easier for you to understand. If you want the information to stick for your long-term memory then say it out loud as talking and listening to ourselves can help that study material commit to memory. In all cases, keep in mind that it is easier to retain information over time, rather than try to memorize everything in just a few short days.
4. Use Study Guides
Another problem students tend to run into while studying for exams is expecting teachers to have study guides for them. This is unfortunately not always the case. And even when teachers do provide study guides, they may be too vague to be helpful. So, you should know how to create your study guides.
According to herzing.edu, you can organize your notes into a “Summary Sheet.” Simply divide your paper into two columns, with the right side larger than the left. On the right, put important terms and concepts with descriptions and examples underneath to help deepen your understanding. On the left, write questions that relate to the information on the right. You can get those questions from textbook review sections as well as past assessments and assignments. When you are studying, cover the right side and try to answer the questions on the left. Highlight any info you forgot so that you can study it again.
There are also many tools online you can use to create study guides or find ones already created. For example, Goconqr uses mind maps to relate concepts to one another, Khan Academy allows you to personalize your studies and track your progress, and nlpg.com and studocu.com have subject-specific study guides that can be downloaded. There are even apps like Study Guide that can help you with subject management and study techniques. There are plenty of tools you can find online to create or download study guides to help you organize the material you need to prepare for your upcoming exams.
5. Hire a Tutor
Tutors can also help! Look for a tutor who is specialized in the subject and is well-versed in multiple learning strategies. This tutor should be able to re-teach you the challenging content while also teaching you personalized study strategies you can use across all curricula. WorldWise Tutoring has nearly 100 tutors for you to choose from. Plus the WWT website had free resources in its Student Handbook to assist. But don’t wait until right before your exams to hire a tutor. Quality tutors, like those at WorldWise Tutoring, can also help you complete assignments and projects for those tough courses.
Conclusion
Exams can be stressful. However, if you’re properly motivated and use study tools that work best for you, you’ll be able to show off all you know by acing your tests. And, if you need a tutor to help you learn the most taxing concepts or personalize your study tips, WorldWise Tutoring is always here to help. Find a tutor today!
Written by Xavien Timoll
