An exam session, it takes preparation! To feel (almost) zen before an exam, you must first and foremost understand specifically what will be evaluated in order to then make a precise study plan, respect it and… work hard! There is no secret or magic trick, you have to invest in its preparation.
Create a rigorous exam schedule
Your exam schedule is the most precious thing you have. It is the basis of your time management. As soon as you receive it, take a moment to prepare a schedule for your exam session. For more efficiency, put this calendar in a place where you will see it often and easily. Here are a few simple steps to designing the most comprehensive study schedule possible.
First, transcribe the exam dates on your calendar and frame them in red, so you can see them at first glance.
Once you have a clear vision of the order of the assessments, you will also have to plan your study moments in your calendar. Make sure you allow more time for difficult subjects, but also for those whose content is a summary of the whole year.
Then plan free time. These moments are essential to decompress and increase your motivation. You can even see them as rewards for your efforts!
Even if it’s difficult, try to follow your schedule to the letter. Tell yourself that you will have plenty of time to have fun with your friends once the exams are over (success also means avoiding summer classes!).
How to study effectively
Now that you have a clear timetable to follow, you must invest in your study. It’s easier said than done, but luckily, we have a few tips for you:
Start your revision as soon as possible (at least four days before the exam, ideally more if it is an exam that you think will be difficult).
For each subject, make a list of what will be assessed. Then separates the material into small thematic study blocks; it will be more encouraging.
It’s much more motivating to do several small study periods than one big one. For every 45 minutes of study, allow yourself a 15-minute break to get some fresh air or grab a snack. To avoid going straight, you can program alarms. Make your study dynamic. Make summaries of material on nice paper or colored cardboard. Do not hesitate to be creative in your study, to make it more interesting.
Play the teacher: act as if you were teaching a group by explaining the concepts out loud (besides, we see that we have understood something well when we are able to express it in our own words).
Gives more time to complicated content and does not hesitate to come back to it often. Repetition can be a good tactic when having difficulty with a concept.
Read, reread and reread again! Since short-term memory only transfers 10% of the information learned into long-term memory, it is important to repeatedly reread the content under study.
As soon as you get stuck on a notion that is more difficult to understand, ask your question in theSupport zonefrom Alloprof. This will allow you not to drag your difficulties until your exam and to continue your study with a lighter heart. You can also challenge yourself to answer questions from other students related to the subject you are studying.
To stay positive
You have to tell yourself that you have the ability to pass the exam, but without putting too much pressure on yourself. You can also try doing some positive visualization and imagining yourself succeeding with flying colors. It’s good for your confidence!
Setting Priorities
Spend more time on what is most important to the exam. If you don’t know what matters most, ask your teacher!
Make review sheets
Summarizing the main ideas in a few points helps enormously with memorization. If possible, we can condense the notes on a single sheet or make one sheet per theme that will be on the exam. A synthetic summary will also be easier to read on the morning of the exam.
Go to recovery and do not hesitate to ask for help
Often, teachers review important material in the course before an exam or during a special recovery. It’s a good idea to attend both periods, pay attention and take as many notes as possible. This is also the perfect time to ask for clarification on matters that are less understood. Also look at theMiniRécupsand other videos created by Alloprof to help you prepare for your exams.
