Vinaya Govind gives you tips on organising your studies well so that you're better prepared when exams arrive
"My half-yearly exams are fast approaching and there is such a lot to study. The chapters in History and Physics are vast and revising once is not sufficient because there is so much to remember," grumbled Prarthana. She was overwhelmed by the thought of exams and the hours of study she needed to put in.
This phenomenon is predominant in children who put off studying until the last minute. This is called procrastination. Students can put off studying for the following two reasons:
- They are overwhelmed by the reality that they are lagging behind on things
- They feel they are disorganised
Plan your study time to save yourselves from this trouble. Here are a few simple steps you can take to overcome procrastination and gain confidence to face an examination:
- Make your own calendar with the test/ examination dates and project submission dates. Think about how much time you want to devote to each topic.
- Sit down and plan your work and study time. When studying bigger chapters of any subject, try chunking. Chunking is breaking large topics into smaller study materials. So you can break your study sessions too.
- Keep your notes organised. If you are in the habit of making notes, keep them clean and legible. Write down the key concepts and facts. You may refer to these later on to refresh your memory. Be all ears in class to grasp other information that you are not jotting down.
- When you return home after school, read your notes for the day. Remember and summarise all the concepts that you've understood that day. Go through the notes once again; make your notes simpler, if you think you should do so. Draw your own mind maps, character diagrams and flow charts to make recalling easier.
- If you are learning a new concept connected to what you have learnt earlier, all you need to do is think about where it fits in with what you already know. Constantly think and analyse whatever your teacher explains about these topics. Ask questions if you are unsure of any concept. Listen attentively and write down the answers for revision. Do listen to what other students may ask or say because these points may also prove useful.
- If you are feeling overwhelmed by other classes or extra curricular activities limiting your study time, ask your teacher to help prioritising. Teachers will definitely respect students who are thoughtful and interested in learning. They will work out a solution for you.
- Do not start a study group unless you have people who want to seriously work together or come up with ways to remember concepts. Study groups could spell disaster if you have students who get easily distracted or love talking. However, studying with a group could prove beneficial if you study in the library. You are sure to be quiet and stay focused.
- Read things over several times and write down phrases / thoughts that will help you recall main ideas or complex concepts.
- Invent your own memory triggers to remember dates, names or other factual information. You may keep in mind, a close friend's birthday, a national festival, lyrics of your favourite song, a lucky number, a place that sounds similar etc., to recollect dates and places in history.
- When it comes to Mathematics or Science, remember to take notes on problems and equations that your teacher may lay stress on. Do plenty of practice problems. You could also make flash cards with equations and their expansions that summarise concepts in Math.
- Teaching what you are studying to an imaginary student also helps. You could also have a study partner, who can take turns with you, to teach aloud. Most of the students, however, have found studying alone makes them feel more confident and prepared.
- Just before you take your exam/ test, conduct a test for yourself. On a sheet of paper, write about five simple questions on each topic. Write the answers on the other side. Compare your answers with the notes and make necessary corrections.
When writing your exam, remember:
- To read the rubric. (Rubric is the text on page 1 of your question paper, with instructions that can help you answer the exam better).
- To be as clear as you can when answering questions. Your teachers will give you marks only if you demonstrate that you have earned them.
- To partially answer a question if you cannot recollect the answer in full. This may fetch you at least some marks.
- To keep your cool. Your brain will not let you down if you have revised well.
"My half-yearly exams are fast approaching and there is such a lot to study. The chapters in History and Physics are vast and revising once is not sufficient because there is so much to remember," grumbled Prarthana. She was overwhelmed by the thought of exams and the hours of study she needed to put in.
This phenomenon is predominant in children who put off studying until the last minute. This is called procrastination. Students can put off studying for the following two reasons:
- They are overwhelmed by the reality that they are lagging behind on things
- They feel they are disorganised
Plan your study time to save yourselves from this trouble. Here are a few simple steps you can take to overcome procrastination and gain confidence to face an examination:
- Make your own calendar with the test/ examination dates and project submission dates. Think about how much time you want to devote to each topic.
- Sit down and plan your work and study time. When studying bigger chapters of any subject, try chunking. Chunking is breaking large topics into smaller study materials. So you can break your study sessions too.
- Keep your notes organised. If you are in the habit of making notes, keep them clean and legible. Write down the key concepts and facts. You may refer to these later on to refresh your memory. Be all ears in class to grasp other information that you are not jotting down.
- When you return home after school, read your notes for the day. Remember and summarise all the concepts that you've understood that day. Go through the notes once again; make your notes simpler, if you think you should do so. Draw your own mind maps, character diagrams and flow charts to make recalling easier.
- If you are learning a new concept connected to what you have learnt earlier, all you need to do is think about where it fits in with what you already know. Constantly think and analyse whatever your teacher explains about these topics. Ask questions if you are unsure of any concept. Listen attentively and write down the answers for revision. Do listen to what other students may ask or say because these points may also prove useful.
- If you are feeling overwhelmed by other classes or extra curricular activities limiting your study time, ask your teacher to help prioritising. Teachers will definitely respect students who are thoughtful and interested in learning. They will work out a solution for you.
- Do not start a study group unless you have people who want to seriously work together or come up with ways to remember concepts. Study groups could spell disaster if you have students who get easily distracted or love talking. However, studying with a group could prove beneficial if you study in the library. You are sure to be quiet and stay focused.
- Read things over several times and write down phrases / thoughts that will help you recall main ideas or complex concepts.
- Invent your own memory triggers to remember dates, names or other factual information. You may keep in mind, a close friend's birthday, a national festival, lyrics of your favourite song, a lucky number, a place that sounds similar etc., to recollect dates and places in history.
- When it comes to Mathematics or Science, remember to take notes on problems and equations that your teacher may lay stress on. Do plenty of practice problems. You could also make flash cards with equations and their expansions that summarise concepts in Math.
- Teaching what you are studying to an imaginary student also helps. You could also have a study partner, who can take turns with you, to teach aloud. Most of the students, however, have found studying alone makes them feel more confident and prepared.
- Just before you take your exam/ test, conduct a test for yourself. On a sheet of paper, write about five simple questions on each topic. Write the answers on the other side. Compare your answers with the notes and make necessary corrections.
When writing your exam, remember:
- To read the rubric. (Rubric is the text on page 1 of your question paper, with instructions that can help you answer the exam better).
- To be as clear as you can when answering questions. Your teachers will give you marks only if you demonstrate that you have earned them.
- To partially answer a question if you cannot recollect the answer in full. This may fetch you at least some marks.
- To keep your cool. Your brain will not let you down if you have revised well.