Are you a student who recklessly postpones your daily studies? Are you procrastinating for too long and losing track of time? Do you struggle to remember a large amount of information in a short period of time? Do you struggle with time management or do you tend to cram for exams? Continue reading if you said yes at least once. I'm going to give you some quick tips and tricks for studying for exams when you're short on time. By incorporating them into your exam preparation, you will be able to handle approaching exam deadlines and make up for the lost time. Memories of sleepless nights in front of a screen, coffee mugs on the side, and droopy eyes battling sleep and study will be history.
Prepare a Study Plan for Your Exams
It is the first rule that you should have a plan before beginning any major task. Make a to-do list and schedule your study sessions, especially if time is of the essence. When you have a limited amount of time to study for exams, you must work more efficiently, prioritise tasks, and even set task deadlines for yourself. A stack of chapter notes containing concepts and theories will not be magically implanted into your brain at the same time. As a result, in order to maximise your studying, you should prioritise your study material. You should have started studying days ago, but because you waited too long, you must act flexibly and wisely now.
Because we are more alert in the morning, our brains function with greater speed and accuracy. As a result, make the most of this time by beginning with the most difficult tasks first thing in the morning. Make a cup of coffee and begin with the most complicated, boring, or even nerve-racking subject you've been avoiding for so long. The emotional relief you feel after completing the first task gives you the confidence to tackle the next. Furthermore, it would be beneficial to review previous exam papers and focus on hot topics that may be included. When studying for exams with limited time, organisation and prioritisation are essential.
Avoid Cramming
Cramming will cost you a lot of time during your exam preparation. Exam cramming, in particular, is the worst thing you can do when time is running out. Because of their procrastination, students see it as an easy option. Cramming is defined as an attempt “to stuff a load of information into your short-term memory in preparation for an upcoming exam." This has been shown to raise stress levels and cause panic and anxiety, making it difficult to absorb information." It also usually results in less sleep time. Students frequently go to bed late or rise too early in the hopes of cramming everything into their heads in a few hours. That is why, as my first tip suggests, you should create a regular study schedule and stick to it.
Memorization Techniques for the Upcoming Exam
You're still behind schedule. There are only a few hours until I enter the exam room. You worked hard to understand those complicated theories and concepts, but it wasn't enough. You must memorise them in order for them to appear in your mind when you need them the most. In other words, you must memorise them. I understand that learning by heart can be a daunting and stressful task. However, using the techniques described below, you can securely lock your knowledge into your tiny memory box, which is already overflowing with information. The following techniques have been shown to improve memory and recall.
Use Mnemonic Tools
Mnemonics are memory devices that aid in the retention of information in our minds. They are not actual tools or devices, but rather memory processes and strategies. A mnemonic is a rhyme, song, joke, or acronym that you associate with a term you need to remember. Visual mnemonics include flashcards, associated imagery, and mind maps. This way, you can connect ideas to create visual stories about the information you need to remember.
Elaborate and repeat
This is a great way to commit information to long-term memory and avoid forgetting it right after the exam. Reading about a concept or term in greater depth from various sources would be beneficial. This process will help you remember the information. It should not be a superficial understanding, but rather a deep dive into it. Later, you can describe and further explain it to someone who is starting a discussion about the subject. Receiving other people's opinions and points of view will help you understand and remember the subject better.
Visualise
Visualizing information allows you to more creatively group your ideas and eliminate unnecessary details. Highlight, draw, or jot down your ideas and focus on them for a few moments to help you remember them. Another method is to use charts and figures.
Recall and relate
As strange as it may sound, when you learn new information, try to connect it to something you already know. Doing so improves recall. Creating connections and relationships between two different concepts is not an easy task. However, if you only have a limited amount of time to study for exams, this is an effective way to seamlessly shape your knowledge with both new and old information. All you need is a common idea to bring them together.
Read it aloud
Some may find it annoying or even tiring, but a growing body of research shows that reading aloud improves memory. According to a BBC report, Colin MacLeod, a psychologist at Canada's University of Waterloo, has dubbed this phenomenon the "production effect." "It means that producing written words, or reading them aloud, improves our memory of them." If you're having trouble reading lengthy theoretical texts, try reading them aloud. Most importantly, try to pay attention to your own words and the meaning they convey.
Study for Exams with No Distractions
The atmosphere of your study area has a significant impact on your performance, especially when you have limited time. As a result, the best thing you can do is find a quiet, distraction-free location to practise all of the above study techniques. Put your phone on silent, clear any clutter from your desk, and roll up your sleeves to get the job done.
Summary
Exam study with limited time is not the ideal student scenario, but it is sometimes unavoidable. When things get tight, keep in mind that organisation and prioritisation always come first. As soon as you make a plan, find a quiet place to study and encode meaning in your memory. Use the technique that works best for you and look into other ways to improve and train your memory for last-minute studying. You will soon notice an overall improvement in your academic performance as well.