It’s that time of the year when students sport bloodshot eyes, cross-reference notes, study until unearthly hours, and incessantly complain about it. Exam time is probably the most stressful, demoralizing, and aggravating experience I have ever had! For high school seniors, all this testing can be especially taxing, considering that it may be crucial for college admission.
As my final year of high school steadily draws to a close, I’ve realized it’s vital to have a good study routine during exam time. Routines may not always be effective, but they can go a long way in helping us productively manage our time. I’ve been trying to maintain a good schedule during exam periods, and it’s helped combat my stress levels. Here are a few tips to help you plan a great study routine during exam time, take care of yourself, and give yourself ample amounts of time to get prepared.
Prioritize your work effectively
It’s important to allocate enough time to finish studying the harder subjects with more content. Keep in mind that you should never underestimate the time you need to study a particular subject, especially if you struggle with it. Give yourself sufficient time to be well versed in the content. I often log the amount of time I want to dedicate to every subject, coupled with the target proportion of the exam syllabus I would like to complete. I then cross them out when I finish each revision and study session. This can help keep all that stress at bay!
Study smarter
Studying isn’t always about spending hours in a closed room straining your brain. It’s important to plan your studying in a way that you’re able to maximize your scores. Studying efficiently can help you save time and give you a chance to study other subjects. In my opinion, it’s important to spend time practicing exam-style questions and familiarizing yourself with the type of answers your teacher prefers rather than diving into chapters of content that could take you ages to absorb.
When I’m especially short on time, I highlight relevant facts to keep in mind, such as important dates, names, experiments, and keywords that I need to remember while writing answers. Sometimes it can be helpful to scan the content so you’re able to get a gist of the explanation, meaning, and key aspects. I often make notes on separate pieces of paper so that I remember all the important points to write comprehensive answers.
Related: Five Simple Ways You Can Make Studying More Fun
Make time for yourself
Despite being busy and remaining focused during exams, you still need time to rejuvenate and relax. Studying can have a massive impact on your mental strength, so it’s necessary to reward yourself with frequent breaks. Give yourself the breaks you need so that you can work effectively, productively, and with complete focus. I recommend using the Pomodoro Technique® to manage the time you allocate for breaks. I find that it can be beneficial during exam periods, as it helps you prudently manage your time.
Get good sleep
With all the content there is to cover for an exam and our propensity to procrastinate, many students need to pull those typical all-nighters while sipping coffee at regular intervals. I confess, I sometimes don’t heed this advice, but I’m beginning to understand its vitality. You’re probably tired of hearing this again and again, but getting quality sleep can go a long way in bolstering your performance level. I would recommend a minimum of eight hours, especially the night before an exam. Ensure that you build good sleep into your schedule.
Related: Sleepy Students: What Being Tired Does to Teens
Overall, a great study schedule will help you stay on track and feel healthy, happy, rested, and positive about the onslaught of exams. It’s important to have a routine no matter what you have going on in your life. It helps organize our time and makes us feel better to at least organize the chaos in our lives. Happy studying!
Find even more time management and study tips in our Majors and Academics section.
