Essay On Studying For Exams

Studying for exams should not be equated to reading as reading comes long before. One has to have read really well if he or she is to have fairly easy y time while studying for an examination.
Studying for an exam is more of revising than reading; hence good study methods, time management skills, discussion methods, critical thinking and good memory skills are very handy.
This paper has attempted to discuss steps on how one can effectively and efficiently study for exams. The discussion has been effected by evaluation of revision strategies that can be utilized to make revision easier.
These strategies have been comprehensively discussed in a step by step process that adopts a logical flow, for purposes of enabling ease in their understanding; by individuals who intend to embrace or rather implement them.
Planning your time is the initial stage of initiating your revision for exam. A timetable is first drafted based on the amount of time available, in relation to what needs to be covered before the exam is due. This aids in attainment of a sense of direction on how to approach and tackle the examination. The plan ought to be flexible enough to accommodate misfortunes or unprecedented events, time to focus more on things that prove quite difficult as well as a break before one sits for the exam. Your plans should always be as realistic as they can possibly get.
Acquisition of a revision mentality is the other step in planning on how one is going to study for the exam. This mentality ought to be acquired at a very early point in the study period. It may be at the beginning of the term, year or semester and is done as one is studying.
During the study period one has to make his or her notes clear memorable and interesting enough to read. Coloring or highlighting keywords helps create clear notes that are easy to remember as well as intriguing to read through. Flash cards and regular reading of notes made will ease work during revision as well as set the right mood that is required for revision of exams when they are at hand. With this done the revision mentality is now set.
With a revision mentality in place, a positive attitude is quite indispensable. The “I can do it” attitude is very vital as it eliminates anxiety from a student and in its place instills courage which is an essential ingredient for effective study of the examination. Difficulties encountered during revising should not be viewed as dead ends but rather challenges that one can and will always overcome.
Team work is of essence in studying for an examination, hence a student is supposed to arrange revision sessions with friends or colleagues with whom they share common interests based on their courses as well as goals. While at that one should not shy off or be afraid to ask for assistance in the event he or she finds it difficult to understand a given concept.
Notes made from both personal studies and revisions from the group discussions should be reduced to key points, words, diagrams, charts and outlines. This facilitates triggering of the memory when one is doing a quick revision just before an examination. By mere skimming of the notes a student is able to remember a lot of information acquired earlier.
After coming up with easy to skim and understand notes the next thing is to access exam papers of the course one is to be tested. Since as a student one is not the first to do a particular exam, thus revision papers of previous years that are relevant to ones course or subject can be easily acquired from fellow colleagues who have already tackled the subjects’ exam and used for revision purposes.
Revision using exam papers is conducted by first checking up for questions that come or are tested regularly. Then with assistance from one’s revision group, discussions of possible answers to the identified questions are conducted.
Time is crucial, hence after familiarizing oneself with questions that might be set in the exam it is required that one times him or herself by answering a full examination past paper so as to build on writing speed for purposes of acquisition of pace in doing examination questions during the actual exam.
Having exercised with the questions from past examination papers one should now make a point of finding out basic information about the exam he or she is to undertake. This information may include; the number of papers one will sit for and dates for the exams as well as the venue from which these examinations will be undertaken.
Basic exam instructions too must be grasped as familiarization with these instructions will ease their understanding during exams as they will not be strange then. Most of these instructions are guides on how particular questions should be handled. They are thus very crucial and should never be ignored.
Monitoring of your progress with the process of time is what follows so as to be able to realize achievements made in relation to earlier set goals via the strategy. Progress made should be noted so that one knows what he or she has already achieved and what stills needs to be achieved before the exams are due.
Having studied really hard and smart for the exam it is paramount that one develops a level of trust with his or her memory and avoid too much rechecking of the same subject time and again, as it is expected that one has thoroughly covered the subject during the study period hence the memory should be left to do what it knows best; rechecking already covered work.
As the exam draws nearer, one should try as hard as possible to avoid people who always turn you down and lack confidence in them self as they may make you feel less confident. In addition to this it is very important that one takes good care of him or herself. This is done by taking care of your diet, exercising and securing enough rest. Substances such as caffeine should be avoided at all cost as they are known to increase anxiety levels besides inducing insomnia. Exercise is quite crucial as it increases stamina, reduces stress and guarantees good sleep.
Eventually when the exam is at hand do not panic at all but learn to relax and put anxiety at bay. The night before, make sure that all required materials equipments or tools you will need for the exam such as pens pencils rulers as well as geometric sets are prepared and safely kept. Then eat really well and have a good night rest In anticipation of the exam the following day.
When the material day is at hand keep visualizing yourself entering into the examination room and tackling those questions with a lot of ease so as not to lose confidence. While in the exam room relax and check that you have the right paper and all the pages it ought to have. Proceed to read the instructions given then divide your time equally among questions that carry the same marks.
While tackling the exam carefully read through each question at least three times and quickly select those questions that you are going to answer with a lot of ease followed by those that may be more difficult.
In the unfortunate event that your mind goes blank during exams leave the question and quickly proceed to the next question as you might remember as you tackle the other exam questions. To further trigger your memory into action asks yourself basic questions such as whom? What? Or Which? As they will aid in maintaining focus.
After exams avoid as much as possible post-mortem discussions as it is too let to change anything and you obviously gave your best shot. Instead engage in relaxing activities that help clear your mind. This helps one get the exam behind him and concentrate on other upcoming tasks.
In a nutshell studying for exam is basically its preparation and starts at a very early point in the term, year or semester. Major critical steps as discussed are followed until one does an exam and is through with it. Constant revision is hence very crucial for excellence performance in any exam.