Plan Ahead

Scheduling designated study times can make the process of studying less of a burden on your brain! It will keep your mind on track and always remember to give yourself a reasonable amount of time to study. Give yourself more than 10 minutes before the test to study, but don't expect yourself to study for 8 hours a day, either!

Prioritize Difficult Subjects

Start off with sitting down and focusing on the subjects you're struggling with the most. This will put most of your focus and "I'm gonna do this" energy into a subject that deserves that attention. This will also allow you to receive help from a professor or tutor before the test if necessary.

Relax!

Taking a 5-10 minute break in between study sessions can relive some of the built-up tension from reading and give your brain a second to take a breath. It's important to study, but don't put your well-being before it. You can't do well on your exam with a raging migraine and two hours of sleep!

Find Your Go To Study Spot(s)

Everybody is different when it comes to finding the ideal study place. I personally enjoy a mid-volume library space where I can spread my stuff out and not be bothered while drowning out slight background noise. On the other hand, I've had friends who study best in a public, noisy setting or with headphones in! To each their own, as long as you find yours.

Don't Procrastinate!

Procrastination causes you to push off studying until the last second, leaving you S.O.L. if you're still confused and have questions for the professor who doesn't offer office hours the day of an exam. Also, avoiding procrastination will take a big weight off your shoulders by knowing you already know everything you need to know.

No Memorization Unless Necessary

Blindly memorizing information will not be helpful in the long-run. It's better to fully understand the material that you are expected to remember. For example you can memorize the death toll of the Holocaust, but how was this massacre executed? Why? When? Without this background knowledge, a number means nothing.

Although, it IS important to memorize material that is meant to be memorized. For example the Periodic Table.

Make Studying Fun!

Forcing yourself to sit down and stare at a book for hours is one of the least effective ways to study. You will most likely become bored, get distracted, and forget the material. It's best to draw diagrams/flashcards, work in a study group, or even use a study site like Quizlet that offers games!