After reading the announcement of the exam schedule, you feel that you are ready, but the dream of getting an A can come true if you start studying ahead of time. What if the time available is only 1 week? Maybe you feel confused and don't know what to do. Luckily, you still have enough time to study even if it's only a week. Study the exam material little by little each day to reduce stress. In fact, study sessions are fun if you can manage your time well!
Step
Method 1 of 4: Setting up a Study Time and Place
Step 1. Allocate 1-2 hours to study every day for 1 week
Maybe you don't have time to study because of your busy daily routine, but this can be overcome by making a schedule. Review your weekly activity schedule, then find out free time that can be used to study. You can divide your study schedule into several short sessions, instead of studying for several hours at a time. Record your study schedule in your agenda or calendar so you don't forget.
- Use an agenda in the form of a book or a phone app to keep track of your schedule.
- Set aside at least 1 hour every day so that you can study with focus and memorize exam material. Allow more time if you need to go deep into the exam material.
- If the routine schedule is the same every day, allocate time at certain hours for studying, for example 16.00-17.30 or divide into 2 sessions, for example 06.00-07.00 and 17.00-17.45 every day for a week.
- If your daily routine changes, adjust your study schedule to your activities. For example: Monday 20.00-21.30, Tuesday 15.00-15.30 and 19.00-19.45, Wednesday 18.00-19.15, and so on.
Step 2. Arrange the exam material neatly so that it is ready to be studied
Don't run out of time just looking for notes or study supplies. Prepare textbooks, notebooks, and other files containing exam material. In addition, have pens, pencils, markers, and laptops ready if needed.
- If you are used to studying in the same place, for example at the desk in the bedroom, put test materials and study equipment there.
- If you want to study when you have free time, put the exam materials in your school bag.
Step 3. Prepare a quiet and comfortable study area
Instead of specifying a specific area as a place to study, find a quiet location, then prepare a table to put the books and study supplies needed. Make sure you can study quietly and comfortably. For that, ask people around you or at home so they don't interfere when you study.
- If you study at home, use a table in your bedroom or dining table.
- Apart from being at home, you can study at a coffee shop, in the library, or in the gazebo.
Step 4. Make sure you can focus while studying
Try to avoid distractions in the study area because the mind is very easily distracted. First of all, tidy up the study area by moving things that are not needed. Then, turn off the TV and silence your phone so it doesn't distract you. Turn off the computer when not in use while studying.
If you use a computer or want to read messages on your phone while studying, use apps and websites that temporarily block access to social media, such as Offtime, BreakFree, Flipd, Moment, or AppDetox. So, you are not distracted while studying
Step 5. Don't stay up late because you haven't finished studying
You may be so busy that you don't have time to study, but remember, you run the risk of not passing the exam if you put off studying until the last minute because of the difficulty of memorizing a large amount of information in a short period of time. Therefore, study the exam material little by little every day since the previous week so that you still have enough time.
Don't be fooled if someone brags that he can learn overnight. Do what's best for yourself
Method 2 of 4: Studying the Exam Material
Step 1. Read the summary of the exam material if the teacher has given it to students
Usually, this summary is very useful because it contains material that will be asked in the exam. So, you can find out the material that needs to be studied by reading the summary. Before studying, take the time to read the summary to make sure you are making progress on your day-to-day learning.
- If the teacher provides a list of keywords or information to memorize, use them to make note cards.
- Check if there are sample exam questions in the summary. If so, find the answer in your textbook or notebook.
Step 2. Read the exam material aloud to make it easier to remember
You will understand the material being studied better if you read the text aloud. Read again the text that was marked or paragraphs that were not understood the first time. Read the text aloud to make it easier to understand and remember.
- Do this step if you are studying at home or elsewhere alone.
- If you are studying with friends, take turns reading the text aloud.
Step 3. Find the main idea of the material studied by making a summary
There is a possibility, you are asked to explain the main idea of a particular topic. The good news is, you can find out the main idea by making a summary. After reading a few paragraphs, make a summary with your own sentences.
Example summary: "Each government agency has its own authority and can monitor each other. This allows for transparency and a balance of power"
Step 4. Create a study guide using returned school notes and assignments
When you start studying on the first day, prepare a study guide so you can use it for 1 week. First, copy notes while adding and supplementing information from textbooks or websites if needed. Then, write down the questions and answers by reading the returned school summaries and assignments.
- You can type the study guide to make it easier to read. Use colored pens if the study guide is handwritten.
- Copy the questions from the textbook. Usually, each topic or chapter ends with a few questions.
Step 5. Make note cards so you can memorize the information more easily
Note cards are very helpful if you want to memorize vocabulary, data, and schematics. Note cards can be made yourself by cutting out cardboard or other rather thick paper in a rectangular shape or printed from a website. Use one side to write the word, date, or question, then write the answer on the other side.
- Take note cards with you wherever you go for the week before the exam. So, you can memorize the exam material on note cards when you have free time.
- You can print ready-made note cards from the Quizlet website.
Method 3 of 4: Evaluating Your Knowledge
Step 1. Do the exercises a few days before the exam to find out your study progress
This step is useful for finding out how far you understand the exam material and determining topics that still need to be studied. Treat this exercise like a real test by setting a timer, relying on your own knowledge, and answering the questions as best you can. After assessing your answers, set aside more time to study any test material that you have not mastered well.
- Use the returned quiz answer sheets and assignments to create practice exam questions.
- If the teacher distributes exam questions last semester, use them to practice.
- You can search for sample exam questions on the internet by typing the word "practice questions".
Step 2. Have someone ask you questions to test your knowledge
This step is useful for finding out how far you understand the exam material. Give summaries, study guides, and note cards to friends or family members. Ask him to ask random questions, then try to get them right.
If your answer is wrong, write down the questions asked so you can study them again before the exam
Step 3. Form study groups so you can support each other
Besides being useful, learning with friends is fun. Take some friends to study at the library, at a coffee shop, or at home. Lend notes to friends and borrow notes from friends to study.
- Make a study schedule 1 or 2 times a week before the exam. For example, invite friends to study together on the Saturday before the exam.
- Teach the exam material to each other in turns so that you better understand the material being studied.
- Give each person the opportunity to check their notes to see if any test material has not been recorded. Thus, you can discuss to discuss the exam material in depth.
Step 4. Use the internet to search for video tutorials if you are having trouble with the exam
Don't worry if you have difficulty understanding the material being studied because you still have enough time to study. Take advantage of educational websites that provide exam materials. Watch tutorial videos and read free study guides to increase your knowledge.
- Look for free tutorial videos on educational websites or YouTube.
- If there is a free test prep session at school, come every day for the week leading up to the exam so you can study under a tutor.
Method 4 of 4: Making Study Sessions Fun
Step 1. Take a 10-15 minute break after studying for about 1 hour to prevent psychological fatigue
You may feel guilty if you take a break while studying because you want to make the most of your time, but it's easier for you to concentrate when you take a break. So, set aside time to take a break of at least 10 minutes after studying for about 1 hour.
- For example: study for 45 minutes, rest for 15 minutes, study again for 45 minutes.
- Another example: study for 30 minutes, rest for 10 minutes, study again for 30 minutes.
Step 2. Do some physical activity during your break to keep you energized
Leave the seat to move the body while resting. Even if it's just a short exercise, such as walking, dancing to your favorite song, or practicing calisthenics for a few minutes, these activities can increase blood flow, which can improve your ability to concentrate.
- Another example, you can do jumping jacks, push ups, and squats a few times.
- Do light cardio by jumping rope for a few minutes.
- If you like dancing, play a playlist of some fast-paced songs, then dance for 10-15 minutes.
Step 3. Eat nutritious snacks to keep you focused
Studying while eating your favorite snack makes this activity even more enjoyable, but choose the right snacks to keep your brain functioning at its best. For that, prepare the following snacks as study companions:
- Fresh fruits: grapes, apple slices, or peeled oranges
- Nuts
- Popcorn
- Greek yogurt
- Vegetables and sauces, such as carrots and hummus or broccoli and ranch dressing
Step 4. Listen to music to make the study session more enjoyable
Learning activities often feel burdensome, but this can be overcome by playing songs. You will feel relaxed and happy to learn while listening to music. For that, play instrumentals, classics, or white noise. You are free to choose any song, as long as you can concentrate.
- Create a playlist containing songs that stimulate the spirit of learning.
- Song lyrics often distract attention. So, choose an instrumental song with a preferred genre. Many pop, rock, hip-hop or dangdut songs without lyrics.
Tips
- If you have trouble understanding the test material, tell this to your teacher or tutor. He can help by explaining the exam material outside of school hours.
- Create a study schedule by allocating time each day so you can learn little by little. This step is useful for reducing stress before the exam.
- Studying with friends feels more fun, but make sure you study diligently.
Warning
- Don't put off studying until the last minute because you'll have a hard time memorizing so much information that you're stressed. Instead, study the exam material bit by bit during the week before the exam.
- Diversions mess up your study schedule. While resting, don't watch TV, read messages on your phone, or play video games if you haven't finished studying.
