TIPS TO SUCCEED
Preparing for exams can be exhausting, but this can be prevented if planned and executed smartly and keeping focused. This include knowing the tips and tricks , the right study tools, and the signs of exam readiness. Importantly, do not take for granted the things to do during the examination day for they are important to ensure that all your preparations are not wasted. If you'll consider all these, you would end up achieving the goals you set for your exams.
I. Identify Plan & Schedule
1. Identify study goals
2. Prepare a Schedule
3. Put your study place in order
4. Be positive
II. Studying Strategies
1. Make a Invigilator
2. REPEAT, REPEAT AND REPEAT !
3. Assessment of your studies
4. Summarise Weekly
III. Keeping Fit and Focused
1. Drink plenty of water
2. Eat brain food , No over eating
3. Have enough sleep
4. Have time for breaks
5. Physical workout
6. Meditate
IDENTIFY PLAN & SCHEDULE
Having a plan is the first thing that you need to do. Planning helps you to think through your exam preparation and set up a roadmap to prepare well. As you plan, consider the following:
Identify study goals
It is important for you to have your study goals. Your study goals will guide your study plan. Make sure that your goals are realistic. Do not identify goals that are too easy or too hard to achieve. It is always good to challenge yourself.
2. Prepare a Schedule
Once you have your study goals, you are ready to plan your study schedule.Avoid cramming, and keep your study time within your schedule. Remember not to do last minute study on the night before the test. You can use our PLANNER and fill in your targets. Take printout and fix it in front of you.
3. Put your study place in order
Your study space can be a room or a table where you can spread your reading materials and other study tools. You should always keep it organized and clean. This can set the mood for a clear mind. A cluttered study space tends to be a distraction when you study.
4. Be Positive
Being optimistic is the right attitude when you are taking exams. Always think positive by aiming to get high scores and never settle for what is just the passing grade. Having a positive attitude in preparing for your exams can have a big impact in your study time effectiveness.
STUDYING STRATEGIES
After planning and crafting your schedule, you have to strategize well. The right study strategies will help you reach your study goals. These are activities which you can include in your study schedule.
1. Make a Invigilator
Make a reviewer to help you go through the takeaways of your study. This way, you can use it to review your knowledge before your exam.
2. REPEAT-REPEAT AND REPEAT!
Always keep your formative assessments to review during your revision. Remember that teachers will test you on ideas covered. Your previous assessments will also reveal your strengths and weaknesses, and this will help guide your study focus.
3. Assessment of your studies
Self-assessment is important to identify your weak and strong areas. After a series of revisions, you can assess your knowledge by taking on-line assessments about the topic or by answering self-made assessments.
4. Summarise Weekly
We advise you to take 1 hour off from your desk and go to a different place which is less noisy and crowded. Then think of what did you to last week and what will you do in next 1 week. Self assessment and evaluation will play a key role in your success throughout your life.
KEEPING FIT AND FOCUSSED
With all the mentally taxing activities, do not forget to take care of your physical health. Staying healthy as you prepare for the exam is critical. To study well for exams, you need a healthy mind and body.
1. Drink plenty of water
Hydrate yourself throughout your exam preparation, as lack of water in the body can affect your brain performance. You should drink at least 8 glasses of water each day. Have a bottle at hand so you can drink water in the middle of your revision.
2. Eat brain food
To keep fit and boost your brain functions, you can eat brain foods. These include eggs, yoghurt, cheese, chocolates, and nuts. You should also have fruits like bananas and blueberries.
Eating healthy foods is important as you revise for exams. It helps to improve cognitive functions and keep you healthy for exams.
3. Have enough sleep
Even as you spend most of your time preparing for an exam, do not deprive yourself of sleep. Just like your water intake, you must still have around 8 hours of sleep to keep your focus and concentration.
Naps are also helpful because long hours of mental work would exhaust your brain.
4. Have time for breaks
Your mind and your body can perform better if you have breaks in between. This will also improve your concentration. Breaks will allow you to have time for your snacks, meals, some stretching, and a short chat with your family members. You have to remember that break times are not wasted time. Taking breaks give you time to re-energize and consolidate your learning.
5. Physical workout
Spend 20-30min of time in a day to excersise when convenient. Taking small time off from study is a good idea.
6. Mediate
As your body need food , similarly food for your mind is mediate, nourish it regularly. Stay calm and focused. Spending 20 min a day meditating will take you long way in your life . Make this a part of your life
STUDY TOOLS TO PREPARE FOR EXAMS
To complete your exam preparation, you need the right study tools to keep you organized and ease your preparation.
1. Planner
Use a planner to record your exams schedule and plan ahead. Keep an organized schedule, it will keep you aware of those subjects which you need to review first, and those which can be scheduled later.
Your planner can also be used to record your thoughts about your revision. These days, there are already online planners, which makes using them convenient.
2. Notebook
As a learner, always have a notebook at hand. Unlike digital tools, this classic study tool is still a must-have. Using a notebook allows you to take notes free-form and quickly jot down something. Writing with your notebook also makes the notes more memorable.
Your notebook provides you with a condensed record of key ideas. This will help you during your revision.
3. Gadgets
Use technology in your exam preparation. Gadgets like phones, tablets, and laptops can store and provide endless information about the topics that you're studying.
While using your gadgets, you need to be conscious of your study purpose. These tools might become a powerful distraction if you do not exercise self-control. So, use them responsibly! Parents please keep a check.
4. Paper
You need sheets of paper as you prepare for the exam, especially if the subject involves formulas and diagrams. A good practice is to put used paper on your study space so you can make use of their back part as needed.
5. Writing Materials in a Case
Writing materials like pens, pencils, and highlighters are indispensable study tools. You can make use of them to make notations on a book, notebook, or lose sheets of study materials.
Different colors of ball pens or highlighters can help you emphasize to mark the important concepts.
Put your writing tools in a case, so you can carry them anywhere and avoid losing them.
6. Filing binders
As mentioned, you have to keep your study space organized, and filing binders are helpful. Use these binders in classifying your papers or documents from different subjects.
With organized study materials, you can easily and quickly find the paper you need during revision.
THINGS TO REMEMBER ON THE EXAMINATION DAY
On examination day, these are the important things which you shouldn't miss, so you won't get yourself stressed on the day itself:
1. Prepare all the things you need 2 days before exam
To free yourself from running against time on the day of the test, ready all the things that you need for the test well before. Prepare the check list . Put the required writing materials, your ID, and other necessary documents into your bag. It's also a good practice to put together the outfit that you'll be wearing for the test.
2. Wake up early
You have to wake up early or even earlier than you used to on the day of your exam. This will give you ample time to prepare yourself in going to the testing room, or if ever an untoward incident happened, you still have time to fix it.
3. Have a healthy breakfast
Taking a healthy breakfast is advised. This will provide you with the energy that you need during the exam. However, avoid taking unfamiliar foods because they might cause you to have stomach upset during the test.
4. Have the right mindset
You have to be conscious that you need to have the right mindset on the day of the exam because this will make you more focused in taking the test. Avoid distractions like opening your social media account or doing any activity which is not part of your routine.
5. Bring all the things that you need
You may be ready to take the test but you forgot something which is important in taking the test such as your test permit, calculator, or worst your writing material. If ever you forgot something important at home, this may cause you some stress on the day of the exam. Therefore, be proactive and bring all the things that you need.
6. Go to the testing room ahead of time
Going to the testing room ahead of time is a good practice whenever you are taking an exam. This way, you have time to relax and be familiar with your seat, especially if the venue is new. It will also ensure that you won't be late.
7 .Relax
Keep your cool and be stress-free on the day of your examination. Just relax. This would make you have a fresh mind that is ready to analyze and ponder on every question in the test. To relax, you can have deep breathing to calm you down, and this will also help you handle your test anxiety.