Effective Study Habits: How to Prepare for Exams and Stay Organized

Few things cause more anxiety than an exam; however, changing bad studying habits can change this. Besides having a positive impact on academic performance, good study habits help reduce the amount of tension, increase self-confidence and thus improve your performance.

Dr. Neelima Kamrah, Director, KIIT World School Gurugram, shares essential tips for effective exam preparation and strategies to organize yourself for success.

Here’s how to prepare for exams and set your organization up for success.

1. Make a study schedule

Among the most important principles, one can consider time organization as one of the critical elements of efficient studying. A study schedule helps the student to make enough time for each subject or subject, so that nothing is left undone. First write down all the subjects you need to study and then estimate how many hours you will need for each subject. If possible, use short and varied intervals to study comfortably in sessions ranging from half an hour to 50 minutes before taking a short break.

2. Set specific goals

When studying, you should always set goals, and the goals achieved should be detailed and specific to the study session. Avoid using abstract goals such as “study math” that are not measurable; rather, develop specific goals such as “solving “20 algebra questions” or “reviewing Chapter 5 of the history book.” This way you stay focused and you get a good feeling when you achieve the set goals.

3. Organize your study space

Many will agree that setting up a good study environment can help one focus and retain the information in the best possible way. Find a quiet place where you can be as comfortable as you want, and make sure that all study materials, books and notes, as well as stationery, are within easy reach.

When studying, make sure you work or study in a clean environment where there are not too many things. Everyone knows the saying: ‘a messy desk, a messy mind.’ This means that when a workplace is cluttered, it will be difficult to concentrate.

4. Use active learning techniques

Active learning focuses on the ways in which the learner can be involved in the learning process in such a way that it can compel him to understand the knowledge in depth. The key is not just reading your notes or the textbook without being involved; it is helpful to try to summarize it in your own words, teach the information to someone else, or create mind maps and diagrams.

Another of the approaches used is known as the “SQ3R” method; this is an acronym for Survey, Question, Read, Recite and Review. This approach involves engaging with the text, developing questions, relating the material to the textual content, and using repetition as a means of consolidating the material learned.

5. Take regular breaks

Nevertheless, it may sound counter-intuitive; one should take frequent breaks to avoid getting tired while concentrating on the task. The human brain becomes easily distracted and goes through different cycles of being active and passive. Hence the need to take breaks to maintain productivity.

There is one technique known as the Commodore Technique that can be very helpful when studying: 25 minutes of studying followed by a 5 minute break. Short breaks include a five- to seven-minute walk or some quick exercise, while longer breaks include a 15-minute walk or some other form of exercise.

6. Practice self-evaluation

The most important practice to implement is self-assessment so that you can learn the areas of strengths and weaknesses. The use of sample practice tests, quizzes, past papers and exams can assist the student in checking his/her level of understanding of the course work and exposure to exam-style questions.

After you complete each self-assessment, be sure to read the questions and your answers before identifying your mistakes.

7. Stay healthy

It is always important to note how your physical and mental well-being determines the way you study. So make sure you eat, get enough rest and drink water so that the student’s brain will perform well. Exercise also affects stress; it specifically helps to reduce it and increase concentration; So try to do some exercise every now and then.

8. Seek help when needed

If you encounter problems during class or do not understand a particular topic, do not hesitate to ask teachers for help. Talk to your teachers, fellow students or a lecturer for clarification if you do not understand the knowledge. Studying in groups is also possible and productive because discussing with your friends sometimes gives you new perspectives and increases your understanding of that topic.

Studying requires effort from a person and requires a lot of dedication to be developed. By creating a timetable, setting clear goals, arranging a table or desk and using active learning strategies, one can improve the quality level of the exams and reduce pressure.

With these strategies, you’ll be ready to embrace college success.

Through the above measures, students will be able to embrace a positive study attitude, which will somehow help them change their attitude towards studying and thereby embrace new or improved study habits in exams and in the future.