The days of cramming the night before exams are behind us, thanks to technology and study habits that have changed a lot over the years. In fact, many students who attended university in the ’90s or earlier can’t believe how much easier it is now to prepare for an exam and how much more relaxing it is.
However, many students can still feel exam anxiety. Going by the data, a recent study published on the NCBI website shows the prevalence of test anxiety among the study participants is around 54.7%. Wondering how you can get ready for your next big test? Here’s how you can prepare for your university exams.
Come Up with a Study Schedule
Most students know that studying is essential, but few make the most of their study time. Set aside a specific study schedule to maximize your efforts and ensure you get the most out of your classes. This will allow you to plan breaks when needed and track how much time you spend on each subject.
If possible, try not to cram all your studying into one night before an exam. Instead, space out your assessments over several days by working on one subject at a time until it feels like second nature, then move on. A good rule of thumb is about 20 minutes per subject per day.
Your schedule should also include some time for exercise or other activities that help improve focus and mental clarity throughout the day. For example, running in place during commercials while watching TV, taking walks during class breaks, etc.
Sticking to a study schedule can help develop a habit. This study habit can help you with organization and better remembrance. In fact, this can be more beneficial to you than starting to study early. According to a study published on the NCBI website, study habits can significantly help students, while how early you start studying does not impact your performance.
Take Practice Exams
Taking practice exams is one of the best things you can do to prepare yourself for an exam. As you take them, ensure you are fully aware of your strengths and weaknesses. This will allow you to focus on the areas that need improvement while not wasting time on concepts that come naturally to you.
One way to ensure this happens is by taking practice exams early in the semester or at the start of each week when preparing for midterms or finals. If it’s an exam related to a class, take one home so that you are not distracted by other people around you during test-taking time. If it’s a standardized test like the SATs or GREs, do those at school since they will likely be computerized than online versions available elsewhere online.
You can also take practice exams on the subjects you are weak on. For instance, STEM subjects, especially mathematics, are something that many students are weak in. According to the Elementary and Secondary STEM Education Report published on the National Science Foundation website, children in the US have not kept pace in STEM education compared to other countries. The math scores of US students have not improved for decades.
You can take online practice tests if you feel anxious about math exams. There are many online learning help platforms where you can find practice tests. For instance, Proprep is one of the online help platforms where you can find math university exams.
By using the Proprep math practice for university students, you can get online help with math concepts, view bite-sized video tutorials, and take the exam for the best preparation. There are many such eLearning platforms you can access for mathematics help.
Leverage Technology
Leverage technology to help you study.
- Use tools that make your life easier. For example, you can use eLearning websites to easily create flashcards and practice tests. You don’t need to be tech-savvy or even own a smartphone or tablet to take advantage of these online resources. Just visit any site from any computer and start studying.
- Make sure the tools are reliable and secure. Don’t rely on websites with poor reviews or compromised by hackers who may steal personal information from unsuspecting users. Look for well-established companies with solid reputations for creating top-quality products before signing up for their services. This way, when it comes time for exams, you can feel confident about using them without worrying about having your data compromised by cybercriminals.
There are many benefits of eLearning technology. Due to these benefits, the demand for implementing eLearning technology is growing among educational institutions and students alike. Hence, the global eLearning market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 20% from 2022 to 2028.
Study With Classmates
Another great way to prepare for your exams is to study with classmates. Studying can be a stressful task in general, especially if you’re the type that needs alone time and silence to concentrate. However, studying with others can make the process easier and more enjoyable. For example:
- You’ll get more out of it. Working on something with someone else helps you learn better because you have someone who will help explain things in a way that makes sense. Plus, if neither of you understands something or if one person knows something but not another, they can also help each other. Ultimately this means that both people will get more out of the information being covered during their sessions together than they would if they were doing separate things.
- They’ll make sure nothing falls through the cracks when prepping for exams later down the line.
Get Enough Sleep Beforehand
Before you go to bed, set the alarm for the following morning. Then, as soon as that alarm goes off, get out of bed and do a few stretches or light exercises. This will help wake up your body, so it’s ready for studying and give you more energy throughout the day.
Try not to cram too much into any study session, especially if it’s late at night when there are fewer distractions around. Instead, plan several short sessions throughout the day so that your brain has time to process all of the new information being thrown at it before moving on to another subject.
Conclusion
By preparing yourself for exams and studying the right way, you’ll be able to get the best grades possible. Exams can be scary and intimidating, but with these tips, you’ll soon be prepared for whatever comes your way.