Studying 101 - Exam Prep

I have nearly finished my first semester of uni and am now preparing for exams. Exam prep in uni is a lot different to high school in that you control the whole process. There are only two exams for me this semester; psychology and geography. Some things I have found really helpful in effectively preparing myself for exams are as follows:

Before studying:

1. Before you even begin studying or using various methods to revise you need to be in the right mindset. Being positive and open is essential in creating a relaxing environment. The first thing I do before I get my textbooks out is to start the morning off with a healthy breakfast and a strenuous workout. These two things really wake me up and motivate me to work hard.

2. Make sure you do what you have to do to ensure you can study and concentrate at your best. Some people can concentrate more when they are listening to music, whereas others need absolute quiet. I am somewhere in the middle; I cannot listen to music but complete silence is unnerving. 

3. Ensure all your electronic devices are away from you. If you have to, get your mum or a family member to hide them so that you have no way of using them. Although you may need certain things like the internet, make sure you do not get distracted and side-tracked. If you are going to use your computer or laptop, make sure you do not browse social media or get caught up talking to friends.

During studying:

1. One of the most important things to do is to give yourself enough breaks. Studying for hours upon hours can be really draining and can become overwhelming. Allow yourself to have an hour break every two or so hours to ensure your brain can relax and unwind. 

FUN STUDY TIPS AND TRICKS!

• Sticky notes - I admit I am a little obsessed with these colourful little stickers! I use them to make notes in my notebooks, in my textbooks and also to mark off important pages. You can even use bigger ones as flash cards and laminate them

• One note - Before university I was the kind of girl who would write out all her notes and spend hours making them look all 'pretty'. Coming into uni and sitting through long lectures, I have realised this is probably not the most effective and practical approach. I have recently started using Microsoft Onenote to take my notes during lectures and classes and it has really helped. During the lecture I will go on google and copy and paste images and diagrams that I later annotate to tie in with the content. This has helped me immensely, especially with psychology!

• Flash cards - These are a very versatile strategy that can be used absolutely anywhere. Put the key terms and information on palm-sized cards and revise wherever you are. These are good for when you are at work or even on public transport.

• Highlighters - Another way of remembering important information and keywords is using bright colour! I admit I may be 'slightly' addicted to highlighter; I use them for everything - not even just studying! I also use them on to-do lists. They are good method of prioritizing!