Exam period has begun! To commemorate this momentous occasion, ILead has compiled some advice to help you get through this season stress-free! You are probably used to hearing the common tips associated with standard studying such as: keep a clean study space, stay hydrated, and get a good night’s rest. But ILead has put together some less common study tools, which can help maximize your performance without altering your typical study period.
- Space study sessions. Research has shown that the most effective way to retain knowledge is to space your studying over a number of days. If you usually devote 12 hours to studying the day before the exam, try spacing that 12 hours in separate blocks. Study in sections, with each subsequent session beginning with a review of what you already studied. The time between studying causes the natural act of forgetting so including a little review and reflection will have a beneficial impact on the retention of knowledge.
- Interweave subjects. Interweaving subjects is also said to promote deeper understanding of the subject matter by subconsciously forcing you to notice and contrast differences and similarities in content.
- Test yourself. When studying, ask yourself questions and answer them without the aid of your books, to ensure you truly understand what you are studying. Reading and re-reading provides a false sense of familiarity with the material. Forcing yourself to recall and use of the information helps in the understanding of what you are learning.
- Know your strengths and weaknesses. Perhaps you retain more knowledge from studying in a group of students. If this is the case, plan a date with classmates to review important class content. If you tend to procrastinate, do your best to beat the last minute cramming by organizing your time effectively.
Ultimately, not every study tip will work for every person, you know how you learn best; ensure you create an environment conducive to your learning for optimal results! Best of luck!
-Michael Sabatini