The hope blog

5 Practical Exam Tips for

the 2023 Exam Season

Ayla R. | April 3th, 2023 | 4 min read

As exam season approaches, most students are having a hard time juggling multiple classes and tasks at the same time. However, having a clear game plan for the upcoming examinations will make you feel more confident in writing exams. The following 5 points are study tips to make you successful this exam season!

Table of Contents:

 

1 – Create a Schedule

 

2 – Staying Organized

 

3 – Repetition

4 – Avoid Last Minute Cramming

5 – Practice Self Care

 

A person checking their schedule and planner on their desk.

Create a schedule

The most important exam key is to have a clear and organised schedule to stay on track for all of your tasks. Whether you are a full time or part-time student, you will have many papers and tests to take at the end of the semester. To keep track of all your assignments and final exams, students should create a schedule to plan your time. This will ensure you have enough time to revise for your exams.

It can be as easy as getting a calendar and agenda to write down upcoming assignment deadlines and exam times. An online tool that we’ve found helpful is Notion. Using these online tools can help you organise your day at a go, and access your schedule while you’re out and about. You can space out your study sessions and plan for the next few weeks to make sure you do not forget anything. 

A laptop on a desk along with a potted plant.

Staying Organized

For the best studying experience, you should keep your study space and desk organised. According to a report by Forbes, having a clean and organised space can significantly reduce stress and improve your mood. A messy room and desk can hinder your organisational skills and have a negative impact on study time. Having a clean environment will help you keep track of all your notes and books. This will help you keep a clear mind to make sure you are focused on your work.

A desk with multi-colored flashcards that contain information.

Repetition

Numerous studies have shown that repetition is the key to being successful at remembering materials and performing well on a test. Repetition involves repeating the same material over the course of several study sessions to help you remember the material. Studies show that repetition is one of the best study strategies to memorise information because repeating information is how our brains can learn new information. This strategy can be utilised through using flashcards to remember key terms throughout the day. For best results, make sure you revise the terms multiple times a day to have a strong grasp on the material.

Avoid last minute cramming

I know – it can be very tempting to leave all your studying to the last minute and cram for an exam the night before. However – research shows that all-nighters and cramming the day before a test can lead to poor outcomes as you are not adequately prepared for the test. Lack of sleep can make you perform worse on an exam because of tiredness. The best way to avoid cramming is to make a clear study plan ahead of time to make sure you are prepared for the exam. This way, you will be ready for the test and can get a proper night’s sleep to help you relax and consolidate your learning memories.

Practice Self-Care

Exam season is arguably the most stressful point of the semester. Thus, it is important to prioritise self-care to help reduce stress and calm your nerves before a test. While it can be difficult to manage all the exams and assignments at the end of the semester, you can take steps to care for your mental health. For instance, it is important to take breaks while studying and have a good night’s sleep before any test. Also, taking time to do simple things, such as taking a walk or watching a movie can make a world of difference to relax your mind and reduce stress. It is best to take time everyday to wind down and relax to recharge after studying. This will improve your mental health and prevent you from burning out during exam season.

A sticker with an illustration of a brain that talks about mental health