How to cram the night before the test

You’ve procrastinated, but it’s not too late to ace that exam. Follow these eight proven tips for last-minute studying success.

Eliminate distractions

Distractions are the enemy — eradicate them at all costs. Step away from your roommates, switch off the TV, and tuck your phone somewhere you can’t see it, because friends’ texts and Snaps are going to sabotage your cram session the night before the test, guaranteed. If you need some background noise, try instrumental music — artists like The Album Leaf and Tycho are solid options, or check out the Spotify playlist, “Instrumental Music To Work To.”

Eat power food

This may seem like the perfect excuse to fire up the coffee maker and binge-eat sugar, but you’re only asking for a bad crash later. Instead, fuel up with protein and superfoods. According to the research, healthy eaters were less likely to show drops in attention, memory and other mental abilities. So just say no to that can of Coke, and reach for fruits, veggies and foods high in protein such as nuts and yogurt. Remember to stay hydrated too — our brains need plenty of water to work best.

Narrow it down

You’re under a time crunch, so you’ve got to zero in on the key ideas. Where to find clues? Start with the class syllabus, skim your lecture notes for repeated topics, and, if your teacher gave out a study guide, review it. In your textbook, reread the chapter intros, conclusions, study questions and callout boxes. Tutorials can also help boil down information. Then write down everything you want to remember on flashcards. The act of writing it out helps you make connections between concepts — a scientifically proven way to make you a fast learner.

Do the trick

To memorize specific information, use a mnemonic device. Say what? Mnemonic means “assisting the memory,” and a great example are acronyms — abbreviations formed from the initial letters of other words. For instance, to remember the stages of cell division (Interphase, Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase and Telephase), use the acronym IPMAT. Other memorization techniques include rhymes, visualization and acrostics.

Get unstuck

If you find yourself running into a wall, get outside help. A membership with SolutionInn.com is worth the investment — $13.95 per month (cancel anytime) gives you access to a Solution Library containing answers to 800,000 textbook questions, as well has help guides from 1,300 courses. Plus, you can ask online tutors any question 24/7.

Reward yourself

Set time limits or goals, then treat yo’self. After focusing for 30 minutes or coming to a stopping point with one concept, give yourself 15 minutes to scroll through Instagram or eat a snack. Better yet, take a walk: research depicted exercise improves cognitive function — and boosts your mood — by increasing blood flow to the brain. (Thanks, Captain Obvious.) Taking a few moments to stretch and breathe will also help reduce stress that could impede your studying progress.

Get some sleep

Read my lips: Do not pull an all-nighter. Performing well on tests is correlated with adequate sleep, according to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. Aim for eight hours, and wake early enough to go over your flashcards one last time.

Don’t make the same mistake twice

Next time, you’ll know better than to cram, right? Research indicates you’ll retain the most information by studying no more than one or two days after being introduced to the material. And for optimum success, hire a tutor who can explain difficult concepts, practice with you, and be a sounding board as you play the role of teacher — another effective way to cement information in your brain.