Seven Study Hacks to Help You Prepare for Your Exams

Your exams are around the corner and of course, you did not study as much as you should have. A cram session is on the horizon, but what are some strategies to make it easier? Here are seven study hacks to help you prepare for your exams:

Study Out loud

The instinct as a studier is to bunker down with your notes and just read and read in your head. That can be a mistake motivated by the shame of someone hearing you. But, you got work to get done, so let go of that shame and worry about getting the studying done. By repeating the information, you need to learn out loud, over and over again, it will make memorization much easier, as the information is being funneled mentally and through your ears. The studying is being done on multiple levels, leading to better retention.

Use Flashcards

I know, flash cards seem like things little children use to learn, but sometimes the rudimentary method can be an effective one. It strips away all of the nonsense you will wade through and siphon down your learning into the most essential bits of information. The sparsity of words on most flash cards will also help with focus on your task. Also, by creating flash cards, you will have the option to fit in some quick studying when you have a couple of minutes here and there. Rather than needing three hours to study, you can do it in five minutes.

Teach Somebody What You Have Been Studying

A problem most students run into when studying is that they focus solely on just learning the information. They just know it and have no idea how to apply it, which can lead to difficulties during exams. My suggestion would be to take your studying a step further by attempting to teach somebody else what you have been studying. Sit a family member or friend down for a half-hour and try to teach them everything you have learned. It is less about them understanding the material and more about how much of what you have studied that you can call upon without your notes.

Chew Gum

Us humans are restless beings. We constantly need some sort of stimulation and cannot focus on one thing at a time, exclusively. We need to multi-task and keep some sort of physical activity going while just sitting around. Rather than furiously tapping your foot, I would suggest you chew gum while you study. It satisfies that physical activity itch without being intrusive on your studying. The chewing will also sharpen your focus on the task at hand. Your mind will be simultaneously be considering two things at once (the chewing and the studying), leaving your brain more efficient due to the amount of stimulus it is encountering.

Meditate Before You Begin Studying

Sometimes, the easiest pathway to success is a clear mind. Once your mind is clear, your body will do the rest. That does not really apply here, but it sounds pretty cool. Basically, if you take some time to meditate before engulfing yourself in notebooks, textbooks, and flash cards, your mind will be in such a place that you can have a prosperous study session. All of the junk and negativity will be filtered out of your brain, and only positivity and productivity will remain on your studying endeavor.

Use Your Artistic Side to Study

Your studying does not strictly have to entail only reading and repetition. Although that can work, not all people can learn effectively that way. Some people need to create something tangible in order for the information to seep into the bores of their brain. So, if that sounds like you, just go ahead and create something that the creation can serve as an avenue for knowledge. My suggestion would be a diorama or poster of some kind. Not only will it be artistically satisfying, but you can fit information bits into the art that will help you study, which is the point, after all.

Reward Yourself for a Job Well Done

The notion of the reward for studying being good test scores is a load of baloney. How cares about good test scores (besides colleges)? No, the reward for studying should actually be something valuable, like an Egg McMuffin at McDonald’s or a vinyl print of Remain in Light by the Talking Heads. This is the stuff that is important in the world and will distill in you the desire to keep chugging along like a little soldier as you prepare to study. Studying is all about motivation, and a material reward at the end of the road is perfect for that.