10 ways to prepare for exams

Exam preparation can be stressful, especially when living away from your family and usual support network. Here are our top study tips for staying cool, calm, and in control while you prepare for exams.

A good way to stay focused while you prepare for exams is to reduce distractions. Don’t study with the TV on, put your phone aside, don’t open your emails or internet browser, and let your friends or housemates know you need time out to study.

One of the best study tips to follow while you prepare for exams is to practice good time management. This could look like keeping a schedule, calendar or daily planner to keep track of your time.

Having a schedule or planner is a great idea, as it will enable you to see what you have coming up at a glance. Start early in the semester and make sure you plan out all your deadlines, exams and other important dates. Then, you can work backwards to figure out when you need to start assignments or revise. Don’t forget to set aside time for other important things, like work, relaxation and social time.

Once you have your schedule, make sure you stick to it! It might be hard to motivate yourself at first, but getting the habit started early in the semester will help by making it part of your routine.

Good time management goes beyond scheduling. It’s also at the root of some of the best study tips, as having some time management techniques can help you stay on track, avoid procrastination and improve your productivity.

One method you might want to try is simply writing a to-do list with everything you want to achieve in your study session. Don’t make it too easy but do try to be realistic – cramming too much into one session can be overwhelming. Break your big tasks down into smaller, more manageable pieces, then start ticking them off as you go.

If you find it hard to stay focused, a time management technique like the Pomodoro method could help. This involves alternating between 20-minute periods of work and five-minute breaks. You can also adjust the interval times and include longer breaks after a few hours. 

The way you prepare for exams might be different to how other people prepare, so you might need to try a few methods to find the ones that work for you and improve your ability to recall course material. Some people find it helpful to use flashcards, post-it notes, or talk to someone who doesn’t know much about the topic - this can be a great way to grow your confidence in what you’re learning.

In addition to all your exam preparation, make sure you take a little time for yourself. Get up, take a walk, have something to eat or drink, chat with a friend or exercise. Making breaks part of your time management approach will help ensure you get the benefits of rest during your studies. 

Make sure you take a 15-minute break for every hour of study. Not only will this make you feel well-rested and relaxed, but it’s also one of the best study tips, as regular breaks can help you retain more information and be more productive in the long run.

It can be tempting to drink lots of coffee or energy drinks to stay alert while you prepare for exams. However, consuming more caffeine will only make it harder to concentrate once the caffeine wears off, and it can leave you feeling irritable or anxious.

Your body and brain need fuel, especially when you’re deep in exam preparation! Take breaks for proper meals and stay hydrated. Keep healthy snacks at your study station to keep performing at your best. Nuts or dried fruit are great snack options and easy to take with you.

Luckily, you don’t have to prepare for exams alone! One of the best study tips is to arrange to study with a friend or classmate. If you’re preparing for the same exam, you can share ideas and test each other. Even if you’re working on different topics, the moral support and company can go a long way towards making studying a more pleasant experience.

We all feel down sometimes, especially during stressful times like exam preparation. But if you feel down all the time or need some extra help, don’t be afraid to ask. There is lots of assistance available to support you with whatever you need.

If you want some academic support, a good place to turn is your tutors or lecturers. You can also visit the staff at your educational institution’s library, who can often give you help with essay writing, research and more. Finally, if you’re feeling the strain, get in touch with your student support or international student team. They can help you create strategies to deal with stress and may be able to arrange extensions or allowances if appropriate. 

If you’re finding it hard to balancing study and work, you might want to consider talking to your manager or supervisor about changing your hours. You might be able to reduce your hours for just a few weeks during exam time or permanently.

Stress can also affect your mental health and – if left unaddressed – can increase your risk of experiencing serious mental health issues like anxiety or depression. If you’re worried about your mental health, you can:

• Make an appointment to talk to your GP
• Make an appointment with a counsellor, psychologist or other mental health professional
• Get in touch with your university to find out what mental health support is available.

If you’re in a crisis, help is available. You can access emergency counselling and support via organisations like:

• Lifeline: call 13 11 14, text 0477 13 11 14 or chat online
• Suicide call back service: call 1300 659 467
• Beyond Blue: call 1300 22 4636 or chat online
• Headspace: call 1800 650 890, chat online or visit a centre

A key to effectively prepare for exams is knowing and double-checking essential details such as the day, time and location of each exam. Another tip is to work out how much time you need to take to commute to the exam location and arrive early to give yourself time to feel at ease.

 

Looking for more study tips?  Check out other helpful articles on our Work and Study Hub.