How to Create Good Study Habits for Exams
Buy an extra notebook for each subject at the beginning of the year so that as you finish a chapter in class, you can immediately write notes and summaries in that book., Record your notes on a digital voice recorder or another device (you can also...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Buy an extra notebook for each subject at the beginning of the year so that as you finish a chapter in class
The classwork will still be fresh in your mind so at exam time you merely have to take the notebook home from school.
Write down the key points you learned from each lesson onto a cue card.
This helps your mind to retain the day's important facts.
On the weekends look over the cue cards.
Get your parents or friends to quiz you on them. -
Step 2: you can immediately write notes and summaries in that book.
Researchers also found that listening to sounds during sleep enhance memory. , Mind maps are graphical illustrations of a subject and a great memory tool to use, especially during exams.
These tools are great for flash-carding and memory-retrieving. , Look up questions you had and try to clear any confusion that you possibly had while learning the topic.
Take notes to refer back to them before and at test time. , Just do the good copy straight away, but thoroughly as well.
In an exam situation you won't have time to write out a whole draft copy, so practice writing out good copies straight away.
Make sure the good copy is neat, punctuation and spelling are correct, and the information makes sense as well as being on-topic. ,, As you study a topic, mark it in a way that is meaningful to you, to remind you which topics have already been studied. , If you are going to study for a long time, remember to take a break in between, preferably every 20 minutes or so. , Study groups share notes, thoughts and ideas or how to solve or understand a particular problem.
Be sure to honor the class rules on what work may or may not be done in groups. , All you have to do is redo one of your past tests or quizzes within a time limit.
Get into the exam mode by clearing your work desk of everything except your paper, pen and any other items you need for the test. , Provided that you are healthy you should execute your plans whether you are feeling strong or weak, tired or energized, lazy or motivated, focused or distracted, discouraged or encouraged.
Realize that it is up to you to make the moments in your hand count for something and don’t let your feelings trick you into being less than empowered. , It's harder to concentrate when you got less than six hours of sleep the night before.
Aim for eight to ten hours of deep sleep to feel truly refreshed and ready for anything in the morning. , Master it, and you'll end up loving it.
At the very least, you won't have to worry about putting it off until it's too late because you don't like it. , It is a matter of conditioning yourself to a sustained work ethic that will facilitate peak performance in the sometimes intense academic arena. -
Step 3: Record your notes on a digital voice recorder or another device (you can also use your phone)
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Step 4: listen to them in your spare time
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Step 5: listen to them as you would an audio book
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Step 6: concentrate on the words and try to memorize them as you hear them.
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Step 7: Learn how to make mind maps
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Step 8: cluster maps
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Step 9: PowerPoint slideshows and other memory aids.
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Step 10: As soon as you finish a topic
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Step 11: take out a book from the library and read more information about the subject.
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Step 12: Don't do rough drafts for essays.
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Step 13: Make a timetable for exam days by marking the dates on a calendar
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Step 14: so you can be prepared by the time the test comes around.
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Step 15: Make a list of your classes and the topics covered in class.
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Step 16: Set aside a study time each day when you are not too tired
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Step 17: or too hungry.
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Step 18: Set up a study group.
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Step 19: Plan out 'trial' exams for yourself.
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Step 20: Plan for academic success and execute the plan with tenacity.
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Step 21: Get enough sleep at night.
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Step 22: When choosing individual subjects to study
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Step 23: start with the least enjoyable or the most difficult subject.
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Step 24: Follow a daily timetable
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Step 25: on the first day it will be a challenge; second day it will become a practice and the third day it will become a habit.
Detailed Guide
The classwork will still be fresh in your mind so at exam time you merely have to take the notebook home from school.
Write down the key points you learned from each lesson onto a cue card.
This helps your mind to retain the day's important facts.
On the weekends look over the cue cards.
Get your parents or friends to quiz you on them.
Researchers also found that listening to sounds during sleep enhance memory. , Mind maps are graphical illustrations of a subject and a great memory tool to use, especially during exams.
These tools are great for flash-carding and memory-retrieving. , Look up questions you had and try to clear any confusion that you possibly had while learning the topic.
Take notes to refer back to them before and at test time. , Just do the good copy straight away, but thoroughly as well.
In an exam situation you won't have time to write out a whole draft copy, so practice writing out good copies straight away.
Make sure the good copy is neat, punctuation and spelling are correct, and the information makes sense as well as being on-topic. ,, As you study a topic, mark it in a way that is meaningful to you, to remind you which topics have already been studied. , If you are going to study for a long time, remember to take a break in between, preferably every 20 minutes or so. , Study groups share notes, thoughts and ideas or how to solve or understand a particular problem.
Be sure to honor the class rules on what work may or may not be done in groups. , All you have to do is redo one of your past tests or quizzes within a time limit.
Get into the exam mode by clearing your work desk of everything except your paper, pen and any other items you need for the test. , Provided that you are healthy you should execute your plans whether you are feeling strong or weak, tired or energized, lazy or motivated, focused or distracted, discouraged or encouraged.
Realize that it is up to you to make the moments in your hand count for something and don’t let your feelings trick you into being less than empowered. , It's harder to concentrate when you got less than six hours of sleep the night before.
Aim for eight to ten hours of deep sleep to feel truly refreshed and ready for anything in the morning. , Master it, and you'll end up loving it.
At the very least, you won't have to worry about putting it off until it's too late because you don't like it. , It is a matter of conditioning yourself to a sustained work ethic that will facilitate peak performance in the sometimes intense academic arena.
About the Author
Charlotte Harris
Specializes in breaking down complex creative arts topics into simple steps.
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