How To Study Based on the Time You Have Before the Exam
Posted: September 27, 2022 | Author: Kate Lyons | Read Time: 3 minutes
Being a college student often means having a jam-packed schedule, and that life can be a balancing act between school, work, family, friends, and extracurricular activities. It can be easy for studying to fall to the bottom of your priority list. Establishing tried and true study skills will help you to succeed. So, no matter how much time you have before an exam, follow these tips to help you do your best.
How to Study Based on the Time You Have Before an Exam
Studying Basics
Studying for any exam can boil down to three actions: identify, review, and act. First, identify what topics and materials you need to study. Then set a specific time and place to review. Lastly, you’ll need a course of action for your study sessions to get the most out of your efforts. Be sure to allow yourself time to review the material that you find more difficult. No matter what you have going on in your life, there are various ways to study efficiently and effectively before your next exam.
Five Days Before
Ideally, studying should start five days or more before your exam. This offers you enough time to review the material, ask your professor any questions you may have, see what information you need to concentrate on more, and gives you time to retain as much information as possible.
To get the most out of this plan, you will want to set a daily study schedule for each of the five days before the exam. During the first four days, write notes summarizing all of the material and add a reminder of what you need to focus on the most. Handwriting the information has shown to increase your efforts. If you have questions about what you’re studying, reach out to your instructor or a trusted peer. Then, review your notes from the previous days on the fifth day. You’ll be surprised how much you remember!
Three Days Before
This plan is similar to the five-day schedule because it offers you time to study in digestible segments, review all of the material, and ask any questions you may have. Instead of one long study session each day, you will create multiple smaller study sessions for all three days. For example, you can set a mid-morning and afternoon study session between classes for the three days leading up to your exam. Since the time you have to prepare is shorter, this one will require a bit more dedication to ensure you’re fully prepared.
One Day Before
Pulling an all-nighter and cramming as much information into your mind as possible isn’t the way to go. Not only is this stressful, but it is a less effective way to study for an exam when you are short on time.
To get the most out of your study session the day before your exam, identify topics, create a study schedule, and organize your materials before starting. As you review the information, summarize the information in note form and give yourself plenty of study breaks. This plan will require the most from you to cover all of the material, but you can do it! Take it one concept at a time. Most importantly, get some rest! Sleep does wonders for concentration and retaining information.
No matter what life throws at you, there are successful ways to study based on the amount of time you have before an exam. Try some of the favorite study spots on campus, reserve a study room in the Gerald R. Sherratt Library, or find your ideal study spot outside. Whether you study on or off campus, remember to take enough breaks and get plenty of sleep no matter how much time you have, and you’ll set yourself up for success.
Tags: Student Life
