"Give them the gift of words"
"Give them the gift of words"
When it comes to important tests, especially standardized tests that directly impact your future educational pursuits, preparation is not only key, but one of the most stressful things a student can experience. As you prepare for your upcoming exam, try these time-tested techniques to help ease the process and keep your mind clearer.
Studying can’t be done overnight. One of the worst things you can do as you prepare for your exam is attempt to cram information in the night before the big test. Begin studying and getting ready as early as you can since this will allow you to better absorb the information and feel better prepared when the big day finally arrives.
If you’ve given yourself plenty of time, you should be able to plan out study times, breaks and topics to help ease through the process. If you have clearly written goals and objectives for each study day or session, it’ll make it easier to chip away at the overall preparation process.
Organizing your work space is just as important as organizing your calendar. A clean and clutter-free environment will help your brain function better so gather the essentials and clear away everything else when it comes time to hit the books.
Although it should always be a priority, your physical well-being is especially important for a big exam as it directly impacts your mind. It’s easy to overdose on caffeine during late-night or early-morning study sessions so it’s extremely important to pace yourself and get plenty of sleep.
Other healthy habits should be practiced including good nutrition, regular breaks to walk around and keep the blood flowing, and, of course, avoiding alcohol before the big day since a hangover will directly impact the result of your test performance. Final healthy tip would be to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water.
Studying doesn’t have be done alone but care should be taken when getting together with other people to study. Study sessions are an excellent option for fellow students and can benefit all parties. At the same time, you should be avoiding anyone else who is on edge or stressed out since stress is highly contagious. So if you feel your study partners are stressing you out more than the sessions are helping, it might be best to go it alone.
Another method of getting outside help is actually to simply explain what you’re learning or studying to someone else. The best method of learning can sometimes be through instruction so as you find the words to describe things to someone else, friends or family who are not studying the same material, it’ll help your brain more fully maintain that information.
You should be fully prepared for exam day way before you wake up and head out the door. Just like with your studying techniques, plan well in advance everything that you will need and do the morning of your exam. This planning should include gathering materials needed and fully reviewing the exam policies, time and location. You don’t want any surprises and you definitely don’t want to miss anything that you should’ve brought or done prior to the exam date.
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