Studying can mean a lot of things to different students. Some simply hate doing it, others positively enjoy it! However, it is necessary if you are to get the most out of your course. Very often the difference between two student is not how clever one is but how much time they spent looking over their notes, before the exam. Here are 7 tips to help you improve your performance in exams.
1. Draw up a study plan - list your exams in order of dates, importance or your level of knowledge right now. This might be one list or all three listed headings. If you have several exams, then knowing their dates and how long you have left to study is useful. If you have one exam that is far more important to pass - because you need it for university - then you may want to spend more time studying for this particular one. If you know a lot about one subject then you do not need to spend so much time on this and it allows you to concentrate more on other exam topics.
2. Allocate time - to each exam subject proportionate to what has just been mentioned above. Set aside a certain time of the day for studying. Let people close to you know that this is your study time and not to disturb you. At first friends may not take you seriously, but stick to your guns! Be firm and let them know you will not be swayed. They will soon leave you alone to study if you tell them when you will be available to socialise with them.
3. Get a comfortable place to study. Some students prefer a quiet area while others study best with some music in the room. Remember not to have the music too loud or it will prevent you concentrating on your work. The type of music chosen can have an effect as well. Ballads may be better than rock 'n roll! The study area should be large enough for your books and notes. With plenty of pens.pencils, paper etc.
4. When studying, read over your existing notes or a passage in a book. Summarise these notes in your own words. Have a dictionary close by to help with your word choice. Some students read these notes aloud, over and over. This helps get the information clear in their heads.
5. Prepare a written answer to a possible question. A to the point essay or couple of paragraphs will help you explain the answer required. It will stop you waffling on and on. It will highlight the real important content that the examiner will be looking for in your answers. Practise doing this with your answers.
6. Get a family member or friend to test your knowledge once you think you know about the topic. If you are studying with a friend who is also sitting the same exam this will help you both.
7. Try to explain the answer to your friend or family member. This is the real test to see if you really do know as much as you think you do! If you hesitate or waffle, then you need to return to your studying. However, if you can confidently explain you answer then all your studying has paid off!
These 7 tips will help you with your studies. Remember once you create your study plan - stick to it!
Do not be distracted by everything going on around you or by friends who call round saying their not bothering to study. Do not believe them! Be strong willed. Study.
When those results appear on the computer screen or pop through the letter box and you have studied, you will no doubt be delighted!
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Plants are shaped by cultivation and men by education. .. We are born weak, we need strength; we are born totally unprovided, we need aid; we are born stupid, we need judgment. Everything we do not have at our birth and which we need when we are grown is given us by education.
(Jean Jacques Rousseau, Emile, On Philosophy of Education)
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