It can sometimes be difficult to study material for a geography exam, especially since it requires memory skills and the ability to draw maps and cities, which is definitely not easy. Not to mention the sheer number of special terms that can be confusing and jumbled up in your head, especially if geography isn't your type of subject. However, many of the pre-exam study techniques can also be used for geography. By combining the general principles of good study, plus specific steps to increase your knowledge of geography and help you remember terms and information, you can have the best chance of getting good marks on your exams.
Step
Part 1 of 5: Prepare to Learn
Step 1. Find your exam time and format
The first thing to do is get all the information about the exam, so you can prepare. Make sure you know when exam times are, so you know how much time you have to prepare and plan study techniques. If possible, find out if the exam is an essay question, multiple choice, compound, or something else.
It's helpful to know whether to write essay answers on exams so you can practice them while studying
Step 2. Find out what to test
The teacher won't tell you the questions that will be tested, but you can certainly guess in general. Once this is clear, immediately prepare all notes, maps, and relevant information that could be included in study activities and may appear on an exam. If necessary, compare notes with other students to make sure you haven't missed anything.
Step 3. Set aside time to study
Before the exam, it's a good idea to think ahead and set aside time to study. Clear your usual exercise schedule and replace it with preparation for the exam. Consider studying at the same time every afternoon, if you really like routine, but there's nothing wrong with slipping in a little variety so you don't get bored. So, stay flexible.
You may find it appropriate to study right after school, while interest and focus are still there. So you can have a full rest afterwards
Step 4. Find a good place to study
It's a good idea to find a quiet, secluded place to avoid distractions or interruptions while studying. For example in your bedroom or library, or somewhere else. It's best to study in a place you've designated specifically for studying, rather than mixing it with where you normally do other things, like watching TV or eating.
Ideally, the place should have comfortable and safe tables and chairs for studying materials while resting
Part 2 of 5: Set a Study Schedule
Step 1. Organize your class notes
Go through all the geography notes, and try to organize them by specific topics and areas, to make them easy to read in good order. By doing this, you will also easily identify if there is a shortage if you miss class. Complete it immediately. Make sure you have all the information you need to study before the exam.
If you miss important notes, borrow them from other students or ask the teacher for help
Step 2. Find out what materials to study
Once you've organized your notes, you'll have a pretty good idea of how much material to revise for the exam. Just reading the entire note is enough to give you an idea of which elements you believe you have mastered enough and which still need to be learned. After this, you can write a list of materials that need to be revised.
Step 3. Identify which areas should be prioritized
Armed with a list of materials at hand, study them well and prioritize which ones should be studied more deeply. Underline everything you already know, and focus on what you don't know. Make sure you fully understand the information so you can remember it better.
Step 4. Create a study time table
Once you've set what you need to study and see for yourself how much time you have until the test arrives, you can create a study schedule. Enter all the school activities and sports that will be done at a certain time and see how much time is left. Divide the allotted time for study into half-hour slots.
- We recommend that you do a break or break every half hour or twenty minutes of study, so that the mind remains fresh and concentration awake.
- Limit the time you spend studying each night. Make sure to set aside space for other projects, tasks and activities.
Step 5. Divide the study topics into half-hour time slots
Now that you have a study time slot and a list of materials you want to study, combine the two. Break down the main topic into whatever you believe you can master in thirty minutes, then add it to your study schedule. Everyone has their own preferences, but you could-for example, try to study rivers for thirty minutes, then thirty minutes on weather, thirty minutes on rocks and geology, and so on.
If you're not sure how to do this, ask your teacher for advice
Part 3 of 5: Self-study
Step 1. Get ready to learn
Before studying, drink a glass of water and eat light meals to refresh the body. Turn off all electronic devices and ask the whole family not to be disturbed for an hour. By freeing your mind and your surroundings from distractions, you can focus more on your studies.
Step 2. Use memory cards or flashcards to learn and remember major geography jargons
Geography has a lot of special terms to remember. One great way to learn and remember certain terms and words is to use memory cards or flashcards. Write a term on a card or paper, while its definition and brief explanation are written on the reverse side. Do this to build a card library of all major terms that can be easily revised.
- After the reminder cards are generated, choose one at random and try to remember what it means, by turning the card over if you forget it. After a few times, you will find that you are able to remember much more than before.
- For example, you could write “Lake Toba” on a card, with an explanation on the reverse side.
Step 3. Master the map
Often, geography exams will require you to fill in your location and identify the country and city on a map. Although difficult to learn, there are techniques that can help you learn and remember maps effectively.
- Remember locations by shape. For example, the island of Sulawesi can be easily recognized because it resembles the letter "K" in the alphabet.
- Study the major major cities first before focusing on the smaller surrounding towns.
- Create acronyms to help remember location names.
- Listen to songs about the world, by Yakko Warner, to help remember the names of countries.
Step 4. Try an online practice test
You can test your knowledge of geography and maps on certain sites such as Lizard Point. There are several quizzes that you can take and track progress at the same time. Try this method at the beginning of your study and every few days until it's time for the exam. This will help you see the progress of the learning activity while identifying areas that still need to be explored.
Not all techniques will work for you and your exam, so use your personal judgment to decide whether a technique is useful or not
Step 5. Apply effective learning methods
If there are certain techniques here that prove to be better than others, focus on that. By discovering which one is best for you, the learning process becomes easier. However, don't forget the outline of what you want to master in your pre-test study activities. If you're good at memorizing maps, it might be fun to dwell on them, but don't forget about other areas that you're less familiar with, even if you're tired of studying them.
Step 6. Take occasional breaks
Make sure to take five minutes of rest every twenty minutes of studying, so you don't burn out. You may think that studying for two hours non-stop means you've learned a lot, but if you lose your concentration and stare more during that time, you're wasting your time. If you can focus in short time slots while studying, it will be more effective, and you will have time to do other more enjoyable things.
- Each time you take these short breaks, stand up and move around a little to release tension and improve blood circulation.
- Do not take long breaks, because you will lose the "flow of focus" and it will become difficult to return to learning.
Step 7. Carefully listen to music while studying
This is up to personal preference, but there are scientific studies that state that listening to music with vocals can reduce concentration levels, and should be avoided while studying. If you get to sing along, it could be that you haven't fully concentrated on the geography material being studied.
Scientists also argue that listening to instrumental music, especially Mozart, can improve concentration
Part 4 of 5: Study With Friends
Step 1. Set a study date
Sometimes you may want to study in small groups with classmates. This has its pros and cons, and will depend on how well you can work together. What is clear is that if you end up just chatting, it means that you are not studying geography, so it takes discipline.
There are friends who are hard to discipline, so if you're trying to study but your friends won't stop talking, turn them back to the main topic, and maybe you should study on your own next time
Step 2. Test each other's knowledge
One of the biggest benefits of studying together is that you can test each other's knowledge and see what's lacking. Do this using a reminder card that you prepared earlier. Take a card and then read the terms. For example: “Real stone!”, then see who can describe and give the most appropriate definition.
- This also works in lessons on maps. Draw a map of a particular country on a piece of paper and use it as a quiz question. Or say the name of a country and see who can draw the right card.
- You can also test your knowledge of the nation's capital in this way.
- Add a score system for more fun.
Step 3. Exchange and read each other's essay answers
If your exam has essay questions, it can be helpful to practice your answers with a friend. Compare how you approach the question and analyze who gave the best answer. Look at the strengths and weaknesses of each of your approaches, but remember that your friend's answer may not necessarily be correct.
- You can ask the teacher in question if he or she is willing to see the answers to your exercises.
- You can ask your parents or siblings for help.
Step 4. Follow the routine
With perseverance and good concentration of study, you will be able to remember important facts and successfully pass the exam. Maintain discipline and stick to your study plan. Remember that you always reap what you sow. If you miss a study session or two, don't be discouraged. Redeem the next day and the day after with extra study hours.
Part 5 of 5: Reviewing Learning Outcomes
Step 1. Ask someone to test you
By reviewing what you have learned so far with the help of others, you will be able to gauge how much you know. Ask them to jot down or underline any facts you don't recognize. Also, be open to feedback, who knows they can offer advice that can help you remember your lessons better. It's a good idea to do this with someone who is not from your class, such as a parent.
Step 2. Review your notes and reminder cards
Check all the information that has been learned, underlining all the facts as you go along. Make sure you fully understand the contents of your own notes. At this point it is hoped that you will understand all the terms on the card. If there's still something you can't remember, put it aside for a while and add study hours to study and remember harder.
Step 3. Review all the simple facts
Even though you already know, simple facts can be forgotten if your head is filled with so much new knowledge, so the focus is concentrating on things that are not understood. There's nothing wrong with making sure a few things are easy before the exam starts. There's no need to waste time dwelling on information you already know, but don't ignore it either. Thus, the memory will remain fresh.
Step 4. Create a list as a guide
Include any facts that you find easy to learn, as well as any facts that are difficult. You can use this list as a reference if you decide to ask your teacher for help later. After passing the exam, it will be seen which ones were incorrectly filled in during the exam, and whether they match the things that were difficult to learn before. This experience helps as a study reference for the upcoming geography exam.
Tips
- Give yourself a reward if you feel you have accomplished.
- If there are notes or important information that is lacking, ask the teacher for a copy or borrow it from a friend.
Warning
- Complete difficult homework as soon as you get home from school, so you can finish it quickly. That way, if you feel tired in the afternoon, you can relax or do other things without thinking about homework.
- Do not let learning activities interfere with social activities. You have to be able to learn and find time to have fun. Go hang out with friends or spend the afternoon doing a hobby you love.
