Have you ever sat for an exam, you had prepared for the paper adequately, but the minute you write your name and are ready to respond to the questions, your mind goes blank? Many students fear exams, even those who have prepared themselves adequately.
It is usually the period to pull all-nighters, soak your feet in cold water and bury your head in a stack of books. These strategies may or may not even work. As you look for help in edit my draft, consider the following unconventional but useful exam preparation tips:
- Drink plenty of water and eat fruits
As tensions rise due to the exams, many people tend to invest in energy drinks to keep them energized. You don’t have to spend your money to maintain high cognitive function and energy. Drinking a lot of water will keep you hydrated, as you sip an occasional cup of coffee.
Eating fruits will not only reduce the toxin levels in your bloodstream, but it will also aid in memory retention.
- Chew Gum
Personally, I don’t like chewing gum especially when I’m not planning on having a meal anytime soon. However, eating gum as you study then chewing the same flavor on the day of the exam will help to jog your memory.
Having something to keep your stomach from growling will also keep you focused on the paper.
- Reward yourself as you study
Draft editing, as you revise can be pretty challenging to many. To keep you motivated to continue to the next section, you can try rewarding yourself with a treat. The reward can be taking a short walk or eating a delicacy.
Whatever it is, you will have something to look forward to and work towards, in each section.
For the mind to retain as much information as possible, you will need to take breaks. It may feel risky especially if the paper is only hours away. Taking breaks when your attention is waning is essential to increase your performance.
You could try reading at 25-minute intervals. At the end of each period, take short breaks of 3 to 4 minutes to do what you want then, get back to the reading. You will need a timer for this. You can take a more extended break, after four 25 minute reading intervals.
- Make a story
We as human beings are narrative-driven, in that, it brings concepts to life and makes them relatable. As you study, you can turn the ideas and concepts into small chunks of information but in a narrative format. Turn it into a story or even a song.
Your story should create a link between the little bits of information that you are taking in.
- Understand, don’t memorize
Time is running out, and you are yet to finish reading through your revision material. Don’t be tempted to cram the concepts. It is better to understand them as it will make memorization seamless.
If possible practice writing editing, to help you retain the information. Write again and again; it will help you soak up the concepts.
- Get adequate sleep
The night before the actual exam isn’t time to stay all night long cramming. You need to rest to ward off stress and retain mental agility. When one sleeps, the brain converts the facts they have collected from the short-term to long-term memory.
With adequate sleep, you will be able to perform and remember what is in your memory, better. Do this, each day.
Conclusion
Just as we grasp concepts in the classroom at different rates, so does our study habits differ. The above techniques may be different from what you are used to and know, but they have proven useful to many students.
Try them out if what you are doing, isn’t working.
