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Exam season is starting to crawl up on us once again, and for many students, exams are just around the corner. Figuring out effective study methods can make or break your scores! I’ve made a short but sweet list of 10 study hacks that will help you not only survive but actually thrive during exam season cause who wants to be worrying about studying all the time? These 10 tried-and-true techniques will boost your productivity and strengthen your understanding of your topics, not to mention make the entire studying process more manageable and super fun. Without further ado, let’s jump into these study hacks that will actually help you achieve the grades you want without making you lose your sanity.
Pomodoro Technique:
I cannot stress how important it is to break up your study time. Break your study time into 25-30 minute intervals (Pomodoros) with short 5-10 minute breaks in between. Many people have found that through this method their focus increased significantly as well as a decrease in burnout.
One app I recommend for Pomodoro timing is Flora. Flora allows you to grow plants for the time you are studying. The app then rewards you by showing you the plant you grew at the end of the timer. The app also doesn’t allow you to leave it until the timer is up which can be so helpful in keeping you off your phone
Active Recall:
Instead of simply reading your notes or textbooks, this method actively tests your knowledge by summarizing information, quizzing yourself, or teaching the material to someone else. This engages your brain and forces it to remember content and make connections
Mind Mapping:
I feel like this topic isn’t talked about enough! Mind mapping allows you to organize and connect ideas, resulting in topics being understood more easily and more efficiently. Not only can you make super useful study material with this technique but you can also make it aesthetic. You can then stick it up in your room and be able to look at it a remind yourself.
Flashcards:
Use flashcards to create short but sweet summaries of important information. Then make sure to quiz yourself regularly to reinforce your memory and recall of facts and concepts. I have a whole blog post on flashcards which you can read here.
Ask for Help:
Teachers want to see you succeed so don’t be afraid to ask for help. Believe me, I was one of those girls, I couldn’t stand the thought of asking for clarification and support but now my grades are better than before and it also helped me build meaningful connections with my teachers. Make sure to also collaborate with classmates in study groups to discuss and explain difficult topics, ask questions, and get different perspectives on the material. This can help you grow your understanding.
Organization:
Do not be that girl who always loses things and isn’t organized. Use different colors for notes, highlights, and sections of your study materials to visually categorize and emphasize key information. Group your notes and study materials together and make a great review system. Use a planner digital or not to keep track of everything this will help you to stay ahead of your game.
Spaced Repetition:
Review and revise material at increasing intervals over time to strengthen your long-term memory. My favorite tool for spaced repetition is Anki, it’s honestly a saver and bonus, IT’S FREE! However, if you don’t mind spending a few dollars Quizlet is definitely the way to go.
Healthy Lifestyle:
Please, please, please prioritize sleep, nutrition, and exercise. A well-rested and healthy body and mind can help you so much and enhance your ability to concentrate and retain information. It’s not worth pulling all-nighters all the time and ruining your sleep schedule for a test. I cannot stress this enough but please take care of your mental health, learn to take a break, and prioritize yourself.
Distraction-Free Environment:
Find a quiet, clutter-free study space and use website blockers or apps to minimize distractions from social media and other non-essential websites. Studies have shown that having a clean and organized workspace can lead to more focus and more efficiency
Goal Setting:
Set clear and achievable study goals for each session. Knowing what you want to accomplish can keep you motivated and on track. It can also help you from falling off track and doing things that aren’t helpful toward achieving your goals
Remember that everyone’s learning style is different, so experiment with these study hacks to find what works best for you. Make sure to combine and adapt them to suit your needs and the specific subjects you are studying. Please remember that these methods aren’t some magical solution and achieving good grades comes with consistency and a willingness to tackle challenges.