There is no denying that exams are a stressful time. Often the anxiety about the exam is scarier than the exam itself. That said, there are a number of tips and tricks to help you through.
Getting started
The first trick is to plan your study. Work when each exam is and how well you know the subject. Some subjects may be worth more of the final grade than others. This will give you an idea of how to break up your time.Creating a time table of what you will study when helps to make it more manageable. Give yourself enough time for each subject and be realistic about how long you can study for. Most people cannot study for ten hours a day. Allow for socializing and relaxing. This is just as important.
Cast a critical eye over where you study. Is it clean and tidy with minimal distractions? Your study ere should be comfortable and well lit. Make space that is for work only and a separate space for relaxing.
Study burns energy. Keep snacks and water handy. This will help you stay focused. Do not beat yourself up about breaks; the average concentration span is about 20 minutes. Get up, walk around. Stretch, take deep breaths, check out the fridge and go back.
Doing the Deed
It can seem overwhelming to try and learn a whole semester’s work in one go. One way to manage this is to break each subject down into mini topics. Each topic has a number of key points. The idea is to remember these topics and some key points about each one.We all have different ways of learning. Some ideas are:
Make concise notes in your own words
Create rhymes, songs or acronyms
Draw diagrams or pictures
Make flash cards and key points
Use different coloured pens or paper as memory keys
Tell a friend , family member or pet about the subject
Have a go at answering last years exam questions
Study with a friend or group
Test how much you have remembered. See if you can write or rehearse a list of key point. Revise the ones that are missing.
On the day
Relax. Be confident in your revision
Check you have plenty of working pens, paper and equipment
In the exam take a moment to breath deeply. Read the questions carefully so you know what you need to do.
Do a quick plan for each question, and stick to it
Start with the strongest essay question
If you do not have tiem to finish off a question, compete it in note form, you may still get marks for this.
Reward yourself afterwards for all your hard work
Remember if the pressure seems too much there are people you can turn to. Talk to a friend, family member, tutor or Youthline.