Top 10 Study Tips

Exam season can be a very stressful time for students. It can be difficult to manage study priorities like what to study, how long to study, or even how to study so with that in mind and the summer exam season about to begin here are some important tips for successful studying that may help ease that exam stress.

1) Ask your professor about the format of the exam. Knowing the type of questions that will be on the exam will help you know what and how to study.

2) Find a comfortable and distraction free space to set up your study centre. Make sure you have all the necessary supplies: pencils, pens, paper, notes, textbooks,  calculator, water and snacks.

3) Read only the parts of the textbook that cover what you need to know. If your professor tells you to focus solely on the material taught in class use the textbook as a reference for things that you don't understand.

4) Make summary notes of your class notes and important textbook chapters. Summary notes help to highlight the most important concepts that could or will appear on an exam.

5) Study in a group. Group studying can help with retention of important concepts. Take turns quizzing one another and explaining important course concepts. Having someone else explain something to you in a different way may help you better understand information that may be confusing

6) Practice the types of questions that will be on the exam. By practicing exam type questions you will be better prepared for what you will see when you open the exam booklet. If your professor has provided you with review exercises, complete those, they will give you a clue as to what questions you can expect.

7) Make a schedule so that you can maximize your study time. Often, students have more than one or two exams to study for during exam week so time management is very important. By making a study schedule you can give each course the focus that it deserves and ensure that you are ready for all of your exams.

8) Get some sleep. Pulling an all nighter does not lead to exam success. Get lots of sleep the night before each exam. This gives your brain time to rest and helps with recall of important concepts once you get into the exam.

9) Eat well. Make sure that you are eating well during your studying. Snacking during studying can help you stay focused and awake. Choose foods that are healthy such as carrots, apples and nuts.

10) Do not start studying the night before. One night of studying is not enough to learn all the information that you have be taught over an entire semester. Use your time wisely and ensure that you are preparing in advance so you feel comfortable when you walk into the exam.

-Rachel