As you begin preparing for FINALS WEEK, here are some tips and tricks that will make your studying more effective. Michelle Rennex BuzzFeed Staff, Australia has compiled a list of ways to best utilize your time while preparing for final exams. Good luck!
Keep a big bottle or jug of water by your table.
If you only have a glass of water, you’ll find yourself taking a heap of breaks to refill your glass. If you have the water with you, you’ll be more focused.
Try turning your phone on airplane mode.
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As notifications pop up on your phone, you stop studying to read them. Eight hours later, you’re deep into your Instagram feed with zero work done. So just pop it on airplane mode for a while to keep you distraction-free.
Create a guide of what to study and when.
Planners are a good way to map out which subjects you should study and for how long. Planning it out helps you not feel too overwhelmed by everything you need to do.
Stick important bits of information you need to remember in places that you look at often.
Put up need-to-know information like formulas, dates, and legislation on walls that you find yourself looking at all the time. Stick the notes in places you frequent often, like your bedroom and bathroom, to force yourself to read them.
Use different colored highlighters, but only to highlight the important things.
Different colors for different themes and ideas will help you remember things at first glance when you go to revise them. Also highlighting as little as possible means you’re most likely to retain the most important information.
Reward yourself after certain periods of studying.
Maybe it’s a cube of chocolate after reading every three paragraphs, or perhaps an episode of your favorite show after two hours of studying. Either way, giving yourself something to work towards will make you more motivated to get there.
Use Post-It notes to jot down information you’re having a tough time remembering.
If you write down the information and stick it somewhere you always see, you’ll start consuming it more. The more you consume it, the more likely you’ll be to remember it.
Or place your concise study notes up on your desk wall at eye level.
Having your notes at eye level works because you end up looking at them when you don’t even realize. You’re more likely to retain information that you see every day.
Schedule a solid block of sleep in your study plans.
While the concept of an all-nighter may seem appealing, the more tired you are the worse your memory will be. Aim for a good eight hours to ensure that your body is well-rested and your mind is alert.
Where possible, try to handwrite your notes.
Handwriting your notes helps you remember what you’re writing as you do them. If writing out chunks of text isn’t your style, try writing out flash cards and using them to study.
But if you are typing instead of writing out your notes, use the font Times New Roman.
Although Times New Roman is pretty close to Comic Sans on the levels of “bad to look at fonts”, it is one of the fastest fonts to read.
Don’t listen to music you know and love.
If you love a song, chances are you know all the lyrics and subconsciously you’re thinking about the next lyric before it even plays. Try instrumental music, or songs you don’t often listen to, to help clear your mind.
And never feel guilty for taking a break.
You can’t be switched on all the time. You need to give your brain a break and a little time to wind down. Don’t overexert yourself!