Studying For Exams

Hey babes! As requested, here’s a roundup of my favorite study tips that I’ve picked up over the years. Happy studying!

studying for exams

Create a study group and meet regularly (not just before exams!)

“Teach” the material to someone – your pet works well!

Keep a list in the front of your notebook/binder of topics or points that seem important enough to be on the exam, that confuse you, or that you’re interested in so you can go back and study them.

Study a little over a long period when you can, instead of cramming for an entire exam in one night.

Create a “cheat sheet” of important information for studying on the go.

Try the Pomodoro method to keep from getting burnt out.

Try creating a timetable for studying so you don’t spend too long on a certain subject and run out of time for the others.

Knock out your least favorite subject first, so you can have the rest of the day to work on more enjoyable subjects and relax. 

Create a study guide for the class using Google Docs that you can all contribute to.

If you’re unclear about something, Google it. There’s more than likely a video that can explain it more clearly than your textbook.

Keep a running list of questions to ask during office hours, & actually go!

Study in a public place (the library, a coffee shop) so that you’re less likely to get distracted watching cat videos knowing people can see what you’re doing. 

Get plenty of rest the night before an exam! Cramming is not worth it.

homework tips

Write everything down, even if you think you’ll remember it.

Keep a planner and check it first thing in the morning.

Do the work for your least favorite class first so that it’s out of the way.

Start early. Way earlier than you have to. That way you have time for delays, to start over if you have to, or to take a night off to go to a party. 

If it’s something quick, like a worksheet, do it as soon as it’s assigned.

If you have a long break between classes, use it to work on small assignments that you can get out of the way.

For big projects, like papers and presentations, break it up into smaller pieces. “Write thesis” is a lot less daunting than “write 8 page paper”.

Do homework before you study, so you’ll know what you’re confused about and need to pay more attention to. 

If there’s an option to buy an ebook rather than a physical copy of the textbook, do it. Not only is it usually cheaper, but it frees up space in your bag and you can search for specific terms easily.

If you have a lot of work to catch up on, set aside a block of time to knock it all out at once (with breaks, of course).

If all the homework for a class is due at the end of the semester, give yourself due dates for the individual assignments so you don’t put it off and have to do it all at once. 

Install a site blocker so you don’t get distracted from your work.

If you have an online class, schedule a regular time to work on it as if it were a traditional class.  

Don’t just Google your way through the homework! It may save time now, but it’ll only make things harder when it’s time for exams.

even more tips!!

More Study Tips

Time Management

Intensive Revision (Cramming)

Public Speaking

Writing Papers Quickly

Study Habits

Final Exams