Set a goal and plan it out
Sometimes having a study plan laid out in front of you helps you hold yourself accountable. When you set an academic goal for yourself, let others know about it so you’ll be more inclined to achieve it. Remember, you must be willing to put in the work for it too. Plus, if your professor sees that you’re working hard, you’ll earn yourself some respect and maybe even a little more leniency.
Study the most important information first
Focus on the big stuff, because you’re most likely going to be tested on the most important material. Understanding smaller concepts can then help you comprehend the tougher matter.
Review new material for at least 10 minutes each day
Trust me, I know it can often be hard to simply sit down and review what you learned that day, especially when there are a ton of other things you could be doing like working out, hanging out with friends, or binge-watching your favorite Netflix show. Seriously though, 10 minutes is all you need each day. That’s almost an hour each week, and you can always review more as you get closer to test day.
Make a note of the topics you need to review the most
It is scientifically proven that if you write down information, you’ll remember it better in the long-tem. So I highly recommend writing down all the things you’re not so confident you’ll remember for the test, and review those notes the day before your exam. Rewriting information is a study tactic on its own.
Take regular breaks
Spaced-out studying is psychologically the best way to study. It is always a good idea to refrain from studying material for too long, since it can easily fry your brain and make you hate school even more. It is recommended that you study for about 30 minutes and take 10-15 minute breaks (or more) in between so that you give your brain an adequate amount of rest.
Utilize practice tests and quizzes to your advantage
Talk to your instructors and former students to see if you can get your hands on a practice exam or tests that have been used in the past. You will most likely see similar material on yours upcoming exam.
Find a study partner
I can’t stress how important this is. Studying with a friend who is serious about the subject you’re reviewing is beneficial for the both of you. You will likely learn things you didn’t know before, even if you think you already mastered the material. Also, I’ve found that if you can teach someone else what you’re learning, you will innately force yourself to understand the material so you teach it correctly.
Review Lecture Notes
The reality is you’re not going to take an exam that contains material you haven’t learned directly in your class. While your professor is giving the lecture, make sure you either take diligent notes, or request PowerPoint slides or an outline of what was covered that day. It is your job to be prepared for exams, but it is the teacher’s job to help get you there. Use their help as much as possible.
Study at the time of day that you’re most awake
If you find yourself studying past a reasonable hour at night, you might accidentally be drifting off while you review. While it’s good to study before you go to sleep (studies do show you remember information better the next day), it is more important to get enough sleep throughout the week or you might lose your mojo the day of the exam. Study at a reasonable time that you’re most alert, and remember to space it out a little too.
Learn what works best for YOU
Not all of these study tactics will work for everyone. These are just ideas that numerous students from every academic level find helpful. Use them to your advantage, but test it out and see what study habits help you achieve your goal. I also want to make it clear that goals differ too, just like study habits. Avoid ambitious goals that you know for a fact you cannot attain in a given amount of time; this could just lead to disappointment. Although, you should stretch yourself and work on achieving loftier goals as you move throughout your academic career.
