EXAM/TEST SELF STUDY TIPS.

Photo credits: LusuMwah

Self Studying is a crucial part of any form of education. One should at least read once a day to acquire new knowledge. It can range from a novel to a journal as long as you have learnt something new.

A lot of people that I have encountered do not enjoy studying. It occurred to me that it might just be how one is studying that affects whether they like to study or not. I enjoy studying and this came through a lot of trial and error. I had to find which study routine worked best for me. After finding the right routine for me, I polish it to perfection. Of course I can not reach perfection as there is always room for improvement.

The other day I recommended a few study apps that I like to use and today, I found a new app that is very helpful as well. It is called Focus to-do. This is just an example to show you what I mean by there is always room for improvement.

Now exams and tests are somethings we can not avoid in our school life. Some people are afraid of them and some do not care about them. Whatever your case is, you'd have to touch a book and flick through a couple of pages before you write your exams. I happen to find exams pretty challenging in a good way. This is because I like challenges. They make you do more, think outside of the box and be super strong like how Sasuke is to Naruto. The point is challenges are like rivals in an anime show. This brings me to my first study tip;

#1 Mindset

Your mindset towards an exam, will affect how you will do in that exam. You might notice that if there is a subject you love, you will do better in it than the subject you don't like. Hence, the minute you start saying or doing positive acts towards a specific subject that you did not like, you will do better. Try tell yourself you will ace the subject when you are about to read it or do homework on it and the results will show. They will be good results.

I for one in my semester 3, encountered a math related course. I am not very good in Math so, I was a bit worried about this course/module. Everyday I'd go to this class, I kept saying to myself and sometimes out loud that I am going to ace this course. My test 1 came and the results were like a 6.1/10 which is very bad. I remember this because I was so sad about my marks however, I still kept telling myself I will ace this course. Exam time came, the semester finished and when the results came out I got an A*. Of course this didn't just come from me telling myself I will ace the course, hard work and other factors also played a role. This example is to show you how strong your mindset can be. So, if you want to ace all your courses/modules, THINK LIKE IT.

#2 Read and Write, then Read out loud

I have this tendency of writing whatever it is I am reading. Even if I have read the same notes before, I will still write what I am reading. It has been scientifically proven that writing does help you remember what you have read. This is why you should try writing what it is you read. No matter how insignificant it might seem, exams have a funny way of bringing things that you tend to neglect.

When I am done reading and writing, I will read what I have read. However I don't do it out loud but you can do it out loud. You should keep in mind that if you do read out loud in front of people, you are kinda like that person who chews with their mouth open. It is sort of annoying. You interrupt the people around you that are trying to study as well.

You should keep in mind however, that this is a very good method.

What I mean when I say writing includes; doodling, mind maps etc. As long as it helps me remember. Do not get me started on Mnemonics.

#3 Use Apps and stick to a routine

The new app that I just got, lets you focus for 25 minutes. After 25 minutes, It lets you take a break and then you can continue for another 25 minutes. This is very effective as you will stay focused for 25 minutes then relax, switch environments and get back to it. Here is the link of the Android version of the app and IOS version of the app.

Let me be honest though, during exams I start studying about 2 weeks before exams. This allows me about 2 days for each course/modules. This is because I have 5 courses a semester, 4 credit hours each. I am then left with about 4-5 days to go through some past papers and then go through each course again.

I cannot stress how important it is to go through past papers. It is very very important.

During my tests, I start a week before. However, the night or two before the test date, I pull all nighters. You just have to.

Anyway, that is all for my study tips. Remember try a few different techniques to find one that helps you enjoy studying. Bye! Be sure to check my post every Wednesdays and Sundays.

I have to go study now...heheheheh