Exams are stressful, but studying for them doesn’t have to be! Procrastination is pervasive in college, but instead of waiting for an all-nighter, spread out your studying if an exam is approaching. How long you need to spend on the material depends on you, your understanding of it, and your workload.
The best tip is to keep up with your reading and assignments throughout the semester, this will certainly lighten your studying load. Even if it’s not mandatory, take thorough notes on readings and lectures, using your own words to summarize main points. Depending on your learning style (visual, audio, kinesthetic), figure out the most useful type of repetition, such as re-writing notes or reading them out loud. Do what works for you and stick to it!
Some people also find it helpful to study in groups. When you meet up with other classmates, they may be able to fill in gaps where you missed a lecture or clearly explain a concept you’re grappling with in a new way. Discussing exam material also draws upon the idea of rephrasing and repetition for retaining information. In addition, studying with other people can be more fun, or at least less gloomy – allowing you to take breaks, share studying tips, and brain food, etc. If you find a dependable study group, you may also split up the study guide to certain individuals to lighten everyone’s workload.
And, the old cliché is true: you need to get a good night’s sleep! All that information you crammed into your head won’t be worth anything if you can't keep your eyes open once the test is passed out.
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