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Exams become a nightmare for those students and learners who disregard their textbooks throughout the year. It is a competition to see how quickly they can stuff a year’s worth of material into their head. Many of them are undoubtedly doing the same thing as the Board examinations approach.
The most effective method is to study in small groups with complete attention and take short pauses in between. It’s more important to focus on HOW MUCH you study than HOW LONG you study.
How to Prepare for Exam in One Day
Reading for ten to twelve hours a day is extremely harmful. However, most students keep pushing themselves to study nearly all day for the days leading up to their examination in order to complete the syllabus. In academic life, students often face various circumstances where no matter how much time and energy they devote to studying, the outcome is unsatisfactory. Lack of concentration is very common, which means sitting with books for hours, thinking about the last episode they saw, and expecting to recall every word. This is a regular occurrence among students studying for challenging examinations. Hence, one should be a master in revising the vast syllabus quickly so that one can make the best out of academics.
Focus on core syllabus and topics
A syllabus’s study materials can be classified into two categories: core and elaborative. While core content includes key principles, theorems, formulas, crucial charts, and infographics, elaborative material includes examples, quotes, and illustrations, among other things.
The core subject is expected to account for up to 80% of the questions asked in an exam. So, if you’re having trouble finishing your syllabus, focus on the main topics in each course.
Furthermore, review previous year’s question patterns to ensure you are not wasting a lot of time on areas that are extremely unlikely to be addressed on the exam.
Revision is the key
If you’re learning new chapters or a new subject in the days leading up to the exam, you should be aware that the three concepts are crucial. Within 24 hours, you must recap, review, and reinforce whatever new information you have learned. If you don’t, you’ll lose 80% of the stuff you’ve gained.
Take frequent breaks
Instead of tackling large areas of the syllabus every day, break it down into smaller chunks. You will be capable of remembering very little on exam day if you rush through all of the chapters you have still not covered. A two-hour period of constant study is ideal. Each 2-hour period can be subdivided into 25-minute slots of intense study followed by a 5-minute rest.
Sleep rejuvenates
Proper sleep converts short-term memory (what you just learned) to long-term memory (what you can recall while sitting in the exam hall). So, sleep for 7-8 hours every night to ensure that your brain retains all of the information you learned during the day.
Prepare a Timetable
When time is a constraint, having a timetable will greatly benefit in getting ready for the next subject. Also, in this way tough topics can be evenly spread out.
Proper study location
Study in a place where you won’t be distracted. Changing your location will help you to concentrate entirely on the assigned task. Make sure you choose a location where you won’t have to move for an extended period of time. A quiet room, library, coffee shop, or a personal desk are all good places to study.
Prepare short notes/flashcards
On a set of notecards or small paper, write terms and their short definitions. This allows you to put yourself to the test during the day. They’re particularly beneficial on test days because you can study them on the bus or while having lunch.
Prepare Mnemonics
Associating a story or memory with a specific piece of information will aid recall. You can use mnemonics as an example. Mnemonic techniques transform the information you want to remember into patterns that your brain remembers more easily than the original. For example, memorizing a periodic table might take days. But with easily available mnemonics, the whole table can be learned very easily.
Group sessions are not the best option when time is a constraint or when you are trying to learn huge chunks of your curriculum for technical and professional tests. Study groups are beneficial when discussion and dialogue are free-flowing. It helps in generating an enriched viewpoint. But when the focus is on revising more in less time, a lone wolf will prevail.
The importance of studying on a regular basis cannot be overstated. Would you rather memorize large chunks of data at the end of the week or tiny doses of knowledge on a daily basis? People who study on a daily basis are more likely to remember information for longer periods of time. They even have time to revise, which is also an important aspect of successful study.
These strategies will help you perform better and keep your learning time more enjoyable. So, if you use these smart study strategies, you’ll notice a huge reduction in the amount of time it takes to learn new things.
Also read: Best Time For Study?
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it advisable to study 10-12 hours a day to finish the syllabus quicker?
Reading for ten to twelve hours a day is extremely harmful. However, most students keep pushing themselves to study nearly all day for the days leading up to their examination in order to complete the syllabus.
Explain how to cover different types of syllabus?
A syllabus's study materials can be classified into two categories: core and elaborative. While core content includes key principles, theorems, formulas, crucial charts, and infographics, elaborative material includes examples, quotes, and illustrations, among other things. The core subject is expected to account for up to 80% of the questions asked in an exam. So, if you're having trouble finishing your syllabus, focus on the main topics in each course.
Write two steps to revise quickly?
When time is a constraint, having a timetable will greatly benefit in getting ready for the next subject. Also, in this way tough topics can be evenly spread out. Recap, review, and reinforce whatever new information you have learned. If you don't, you'll lose 80% of the stuff you've gained.
