Exam Season is Here! Are YOU Ready?!

Although the last few days of classes make summer seem so close, school is far from done. When exams are worth between 10% and 30% of your final mark, it’s important to find motivation to study for one more week before enjoying two months off. That being said, exam time can also be extremely stressful if you’re not prepared. Cutting down on stress is easy to do if you ensure that you are ready to write, and then enjoy vacation.

Here are some tips to make exams less intimidating, and get the marks you really want.

Tip #1: Stay Organized.

If you are the type of person that keeps every note dated and in order all semester, good for you; you’re ahead of the game. If not, it’s never too late to change your habits. Take the time to sort all notes by topic or chapter, so that you have a place to start. If your notes aren’t in order, there is a greater chance that something important could be missing.

Tip #2: What is Studying?

Contrary to popular belief, studying is NOT the same thing as learning. Writing out a note for the first time or learning a formula is not studying. Studying is memorizing. Leaving all of your learning until the day before an exam is not beneficial; it’s nearly impossible to learn an entire course in a matter of hours. This is when you should be memorizing all of your terms, rewriting important notes, and looking over old tests.

Tip #3: Colour Code.

Because there is so much to do during exam week, it is important to study smarter, not harder. The easiest, most effective way to study smart is to colour code your notes. Not only will different colours trigger your memory, it also allows you to focus on the most important parts of your notes. There are endless possibilities of how to colour code notes, but some examples include choosing one colour for each part of a note (i.e. definitions, formulas, section titles) or using a traffic light system (green for things you’re confident you know, yellow for things that you’re unsure about, red for things that need the most attention).

Tip #4: Set Goals.

Once you’ve got the hang of studying, it can be difficult to maintain your focus. Set small goals for yourself, so you feel accomplished and motivated to keep going. Keep in mind that your brain is only capable of focusing on one task for your age plus five minutes (meaning if you’re 15 years old, study for 20 minutes at a time). Focus on what you want to accomplish in that block of studying and the overall studying will seem less overwhelming.

Tip #5: Take Meaningful Breaks.

In most cases, break time usually means staring at an electronic for longer than you studied. While breaks are important, it’s also important to take breaks that maintain your motivation. If you want to play on your phone, do it while you go for a walk. Whatever it is you want to do, try to stay active to give your brain a break without losing focus on your main goal. Also try to limit breaks to the same length as your study intervals.

Tip #6: Stay Healthy.

While exams often mean skipping sleep and surviving on coffee, that isn’t the best option. If you plan to be most focused when it actually counts, during your exam, it is important to get a good night’s rest. Eat a balanced meal the night before an exam and go to bed early. Review your notes immediately before going to sleep to increase your chances of remembering. Wake up early enough to eat a healthy breakfast the morning of the exam.

The most important thing to remember is that summer is within reach, and you won’t have to worry about studying again until September. Put in all of your effort now, and your summer will be that much more enjoyable knowing that you did your best on exams. However it is you choose to study, remember that stress is easy to eliminate. Good luck on your exams, Sabres!

-Kennedy, Gr. 11 Peer Helper