Studying for exams can be difficult and stressful. Many people have a hard time focusing on the things they want to get done. However, there are some simple steps you can take to help focus on your studies, such as finding a quiet place to study and avoiding studying while listening to music.
Step
Part 1 of 2: What to do
Step 1. Find a suitable atmosphere for learning
Bedrooms or classrooms don't always match. Find a comfortable and quiet place that has a large chair like in the living room; even better if it's away from your TV, computer or cell phone.
Libraries are usually great places to study because they are quiet. Perhaps the parent's office is also a possible location if it's quiet enough and doesn't distract you
Step 2. Gather study materials before starting
Don't look around for pens, highlighters, rulers, etc. while studying as this can distract you. So, prepare everything before starting to study.
Step 3. Find a study buddy
Choose someone who is considerate and focused on the same thing. Do not always choose your close friends because the concentration of both of you can be distracted by chatting. Having a study buddy is a good idea because the two of you can exchange ideas and get different perspectives.
- Not everyone can focus with a study buddy. If you're an extrovert, aka like to be with people and chat, maybe a study buddy isn't for you. If you are an introvert, aka tend to be aloof and shy, a study buddy can be very useful for you. Just make sure your study buddy isn't someone too extroverted, or he'll start chatting with you while you're trying to study.
- Find people who are smarter than you. It seems like a trivial matter, but many people ignore this. If you want to learn, choose friends who are smart, dedicated and don't mind teaching. Your study sessions will be much better.
Step 4. Collect the appropriate snacks
Do not choose energy drinks or coffee because in a moment you will feel weak again. Granola bars, fruits and water are great because they are simple and effective at removing carbohydrates.
Step 5. Take a break
After 45 minutes of studying, take a 10 minute break and do something else. Try to return to study after resting, don't let your break time exceed 20 minutes.
- Set your rest pattern by using an alarm. If the breaks are arranged, you will be more punctual and less rested.
- Why do you need to rest? Your brain needs time to recover after processing a lot of information. The results of several studies have shown that resting and walking can strengthen memory skills and improve test scores.
Step 6. Get the motivation right
If you repeat your lessons well and prepare for exams, you will be able to do well. Set goals when repeating lessons to be comfortable during exams. Don't think of exams as a burden, just think of them as challenges in your learning process.
- Set a goal, even if it's not realistic. Push yourself to be better, who knows you may turn out to be more than you thought.
- Motivate yourself with gifts. This requires a little self-control, so ask someone in more authority for help. Reward yourself if you study well, feel ready, and do well on your exams.
- Remind yourself why studying is important. This depends on each individual. It could be that you want to get a 4.0 GPA. It could be that you really care about the subject. It could be that you bet with your father and are embarrassed if you lose. Whatever the reason, remind yourself what you need to work hard for and believe that the results will be worth it.
Step 7. Sit down and study
You've got everything you need and there's no reason to procrastinate. Just prepare yourself and the materials. So what are you waiting for?
- Use flash cards (memory cards) and quick notes. Flash cards are useful for some people because they contain important information in a succinct manner. Use it if you find it useful. Sort the cards or arrange them some other way if you want to get a specific meaning.
- Use memory aids. Turn the information into a funny song or organize the information into abbreviations (remember 'KABATAKU'?) to help your memory.
- Make sure you know to prioritize the most important information. Learn and understand the key concepts before delving into other branches. This will give you the basic understanding you need.
Part 2 of 2: Avoiding Trouble
Step 1. Don't panic
If you panic, you are more prone to make mistakes. So, stay calm until it's over. If you plan your rehearsals well, you won't have to panic when exam time comes. Take a deep breath, tell yourself, "I can do it!", and be calm.
Step 2. Minimize the use of computers, let alone the internet
You learn better if you write with your own hands. Also avoid using your cell phone, as you can get so caught up in exchanging text messages that you get distracted.
Turn off the internet connection if you believe you will be tempted. Shut down the computer or ask a friend to look after it. The point is, make sure you don't get hung up on the internet when you should be studying
Step 3. Don't listen to music unless it helps you
. Some people need music to help them learn, but try not to let your brain focus on other things while studying. A distraction, even if it's soothing music, is a burden your brain has to carry in addition to the existing study material.
Step 4. Don't stray
Sometimes we stray from the goal. This could be because the information we do not need is actually more interesting. Whatever it is, wait until you finish studying to be able to dig deeper into understanding and navigate different issues.
Always ask yourself: What are the chances of this information appearing on the exam? If you're really focused, you can prioritize the information from the most likely to the least likely, so that most of your time is spent on the most likely, and the rest for the least likely
Step 5. Don't despair
Learning to prepare for an exam can be an overwhelming task, especially in the early days. Take it one at a time and don't worry if your first try isn't perfect. Remember, your real goal is to study, not just to pass exams. Understand the “big scenario” if you have trouble understanding the concept. This will make it easier for you to understand the details.
Tips
- Studying in a closed room will increase concentration and minimize distraction.
- Don't worry too much. If you panic while studying, take a deep breath, read your notes, and try to process & understand the information.
- Imagine how happy your parents would be if you did well on your exams.
- Don't think badly. Think about how happy everyone will be with your results.
- Rest well and schedule your activities in the day. You can take a break after an hour or two to motivate yourself to study hard. Studying hard will also make time pass quickly.
- Always study in a quiet room.
- Consumption of nutrients for a healthy brain so that your brain can stay focused.
- Never panic! Focus on the step in front of you and complete the task. After that, move on to the next step. Think positively, and be determined to get a good score.
- Take notes. Read a paragraph, understand it, and try to write down the important points in the paragraph while memorizing it. This trick will help you to increase your memory power.
- Set up study schedules and time slots for each subject (example: math @ 6:30; English @ 7:30; etc.)
- Don't think about your friends or compare yourself to others. Instead of thinking about these things, treat learning as a fantasy and study using your imagination and curiosity.
- Before you start work, always ask yourself these three questions – why am I doing it, what results am I likely to achieve, and will I be successful. Thinking deeply about these three things will help you find a satisfactory answer before you continue your study.
