As a student, one of the most dreadful tasks is to study for an exam. Thus, acquiring good study routine skills determines whether or not a student is going to get a high or low GPA at the end of the academic calendar.
Study tips that are common among college students whenever exams looming around the corner is the ‘all-nighter’.This method of studying is accompanied by chugging down multiple cups of coffee to guarantee optimal study and study sessions
However, this approach is ineffective due to the amount of pressure that it puts on other students. A general rule of thumb as far as effective studying tips are concerned is that for every hour that students spend in lecturer halls, they need to study for two to three hours researching and studying.
A Useful Guide on the Number of Hours Students Should study for an exam.
Determine the Type of Student That You Are.
To grasp knowledge effectively, you need to familiarize yourself with your learning style. This is because reading for 5 hours without intermittent breaks is not going to help you to be a successful student.
Human beings are diverse and that applies to learning. The question that you need to be asking yourself is, “What style of learning suits me best? Is it listening? Visuals? Or a combination of the two?”
After knowing what type of learning method suits you. You can come up with a study for an exam schedule that you can implement to get optimum results.
Come Up with a plan for you to study for an exam
To optimize your time and effort when studying. You need to have a rough idea of the information that you need to prepare for in your preparations for the upcoming test.
In some cases, your professor will provide study guidelines that can help you narrow down sections of the syllabus. you need to familiarize yourself with them
You must come up with an effective note-taking and reading method. To ensure that you understand, maintain focus, and retain all the information required to excel in the test.
Below are some tips to help you read and prepare yourself for exam day.
Summarize the key points when reading that you suspect may be tested on the exam.
Don’t skim through when going through your notes and essay write-ups. Instead, take ample time to read through each page.
In case you come across concepts or terms that you don’t understand. Attempt to ask your study groups or professor. They will be able to explain the same in a simple way for you to grasp and study smarter.
As a student, you need to understand that reading is not about rushing to finish. Rather, it’s all about reviewing, and comparing notes and terminology correctly the first time. Avoid duplicating your reading efforts in the future.
Plan and Manage Your Time Effectively.
Develop and create study goals. This can help you stay motivated and on track as far as your long-term study goals are concerned.
Prioritize your reading topics to avoid confusion and information overload. You can effectively prioritize study areas by following your professor’s course guidelines. That way, you can focus your reading efforts on topics that are likely to be tested on the exam.
To study for an exam, the purpose is to cover one unit at a time as opposed to multitasking during the test.
Planning and managing your time help avoid distractions that can inhibit your concentration. When you adhere to a certain schedule, you are driven to acquire knowledge and information in the shortest time possible.
Take Regular Breaks
You need to understand that, unlike machines, your brain cannot work overtime. It needs to rest for it to help you process and understand information optimally. Whenever you experience brain fog, chances are you need to take a break.
Students can take study breaks by:
Exercising :
Working out helps to alleviate stress during the finals week. During exam week, you may experience anxiety that can prevent you from retaining the information needed to ace your exam on test day
To keep your mind active and rested, you can run, go for a walk, or perhaps even go for a bicycle ride. Doing so will help you focus on your studies since your mind will be rested. It will reduce the chances of daydreaming and having your mind wandering while reading.
Maintain your social life :
When preparing for upcoming tests, don’t abandon your social life. Having fun with friends and acquaintances can help relax your mind and release the tension and pressure that builds up during exam week.
Learning to maintain a balance between studying for your exams. Having a social life can help you increase your productivity and concentration levels to study for an exam .
Take naps:
Whether you like it or not, at some point in your academic life, you are going to experience sleep deprivation while preparing for an upcoming exam.
Thus, it’s paramount to take some time off to sleep and relax since it allows your brain to recharge for further studying time. The need to have a good study schedule will make you stay focused.
Remember to take your meals :
Surprisingly, reading consumes a huge amount of energy from your body, and it’s not unnatural to feel hungry after a couple of hours of studying.
during exam preparations, strive to eat healthy snacks as they play an important role in providing essential nutrients for your brain. Most students have over time just been eating junk food.
Additionally, remember to drink water to keep yourself hydrated. Water also helps prevent dehydration caused by drinking too much coffee.
Meditation
Exam weeks are stressful for students, and many tend to struggle with anxiety. Keeping your mind calm and relaxed is a key component of exam preparation, and can make or break your GPA. Students need to cultivate the art of mindfulness as it helps keep them relaxed and offers complete silence during stressful exam weeks.
One of the best practices is listening to meditation channels on YouTube or downloading phone applications like Headspace you will be taking the first step towards cultivating a calm mind. This will not only help you navigate the pressure of exam preparations but life in general.
Ask for help
You can’t learn everything in a week or two. Therefore, it is important to get as much help as possible. This can be done by being by applying the various study tips, Joining a study group and getting the previous test formats, and practice exams.
The go-to method of cramming and memorizing as many formulas, will not cut it for good grades. Get help from your classmates, friends, or academic tutoring sites to assist you in preparation for tests.
Take a short walk
When you start early to study for an exam, you find your lifestyle to be more repetitive. It is therefore important for you to manage your stress levels. You need to take time to put in some form of exercise. Unlike other forms of exercises, taking a walk will offer spaced repetition and in a way reboots your energy levels.
Re-reading your class material and notes
You need to collect all the good notes from your classmates. You need to familiarize yourself with the previous class notes that will contain test banks with multiple choice questions, short answer questions, well prepared answer, practice questions, quick review videos on the tests, and prepared answers. this will help you have an upper hand advantage when sitting for your test.
Ensure that you are able to ask your professor about the test format and the exact exam time. This allows you to plan your week and start studying early.
Summary: How Many Hours Should Students Study for Exams?
To get excellent exam results, it is advised to prepare for your papers two weeks before they begin. That way, you will not feel the pressure that comes with reading the day before the test.
Furthermore, you will have enough time to carry out extensive research to increase your odds of passing the exams, familiarize yourself with practice tests, collect class notes, and effective study strategies.
