Let’s face it; studying for high school exams is hard. When finals week comes around, it seems like every student out there is stressed because they just don’t feel like they are prepared. And this stress often gets to the very best of students and ends up affecting their performance. When you feel like you know nothing, you end up forgetting even the things that you do know.
The key to performing well is to avoid stress at all costs and have a plan of action on how you will cover the entire course before exams come around. But how do you achieve these two objectives? Here are some proven ways to study better and ace even the most difficult exams:
1. START EARLY
The root cause of most forms of exam stress is trying to learn everything a week before the exam, and hoping it will help you pass. By starting your preparation early, you automatically feel more confident that you have enough time to tackle every topic in detail before exam week comes around. It doesn’t mean locking yourself up in your room throughout the year and not doing anything except for studying. Even studying 30 minutes daily for a month can be far more beneficial than cramming the course a night before exams. You are likely to be much better prepared, as learning over time can significantly improve your ability to retain information compared to studying everything at the last minute.
2. STUDY IN A WAY THAT SUITS YOU
Not everyone learns the same way. While some study better early in the morning, others find their brains being more alert in the evenings. To perform well in your studies, you must find what works for you and stick to it.
Some high school students may find that going to high school just isn’t working for them. Whether they have health issues or other responsibilities, they may need to find an alternate way to complete their high school education. An
online high school diploma is a great option for such students as it allows them to study at their own space and still achieve the qualification they are seeking.
3. STUDY IN GROUPS
For some people, studying in groups turns out to be far more effective than trying to study on their own. When you are trying to accomplish something on your own, it is easy to slack off. But in a group setting, you have your friends motivating you throughout the process and pushing you to meet your study objectives. Get together with others who are committed to studying and improving their grades, and you will surely see your performance improving too in the process.
4. HAVE A DISTRACTION-FREE STUDY SPACE
A quiet, comfortable, and well-lit study place is essential if you wish to get anything done. Get rid of any
distractions and make sure you study in the corner of the house where you will be able to focus your best. For some, this means studying in a place of complete silence while others may prefer some light music; it is all a matter of personal preference. Make sure also to have all your study material organized and tidy so you can easily find anything that you need, without having to waste time.
5. USE FLASHCARDS
The best and most fun way to learn your entire course material is to turn it into flashcards. As you go through your notes, rewrite the most important bits of information on small index cards. Not only does writing things down make you remember them longer, but you will also save time when you need to do those last-minute revisions. This way, you no longer have to open your textbook or notes because you already have everything important on your flashcards.
6. TEST YOURSELF
One of the best ways to prepare for an exam is to test yourself. You must have past exams, practice questions, and other testing materials available for practice. Doing so helps you become familiar with the format of the exam and the time constraints you will have to work in. It allows you to come up with an effective strategy to tackle exams before you have even entered the exam hall.
7. DON’T FORGET TO EAT AND SLEEP
If you are consuming large amounts of unhealthy snacks as you study, your brain will not be able to function at its best. As important as it is to study, you also need to take good care of your health in the process.
Healthy snacks such as fruits and nuts are great for boosting productivity. Apart from that, you also need to make sure you are sleeping well. Sleep allows your brain to recharge and prepare itself for further learning.
THE FINAL WORD
Last but not least, don’t forget to find some time to relax. When you meet your study goals, take a break, and also reward yourself. You can watch a movie, go out for a walk or do anything else that you enjoy. The best students are those who know how to maintain a study-life balance so that learning is an enjoyable and rewarding experience instead of a stressful one.
