With school just around the corner, you might be dreading the long nights before a test trying to cram in as much information as you can. This can be stressful, especially this year with everything online so it might be hard to focus and motivate yourself, but, with some dedication, it can happen. Studying doesn’t just happen overnight and to truly retain the information you must study smarter and not harder.
School isn’t just about studying all day because people have other hobbies that occupy their time such as sports and clubs so not everyone can spend hours the night before a test trying to learn a whole unit or chapter, ultimately sacrificing their sleep. That’s why here are some tips to avoid the hectic, long, and dreary night before a test:
1. Reading is Not Revising
Simply reading the text from the book or your notes taken in class is not helping you in any way on actually understanding the content. The idea for tests is to see how you apply the knowledge to situations so for this, you need to actively study. Obviously, you need to know the topic for the test, but knowing is not enough. Make flashcards after each chapter you read and make sure it is truly after each chapter because that is when the information is fresh. Practice these flashcards in sets for example, after you read the first chapter, practice chapter set 1 and after you read chapter 2, practice not only set 1 but set 2 as well, that way the information is in your brain. Flashcards aren’t just the only thing you could do. You can also use the internet and find practice problems and even tests with the answer keys, that way you can check your mistakes right away. You should practice the problems at the end of each chapter designated for that chapter and do the test at the end so you know the content not just in sections, but, when it is all mixed together.
2) Increments
Spacing out your study sessions is the main key to avoid cramming the night before. When you try to remember everything the night before, the information doesn’t stick in your brain, but by studying the notes you did in class that day, the chapter you covered, or even that day’s test for 20-30 min every day, the information is more likely to stay with you over a longer period of time. This is especially helpful when there’s a midterm or final because you would have been studying these topics throughout the school year. It might seem hard some days, but by doing this, you can identify your problem areas more easily and differentiate from what you already know so the night before the big test you can focus on the problem areas. Looking over the test once you receive it might seem bizarre, but actually helps a ton. If you look over the test’s topics and remember a question you had a problem on, it is helpful to remember what you did vs the way to actually do it. This way, you know not to make the mistake next time and it sticks better in your brain. If you take any tip from this blog, this would be the tip that would be a complete game-changer for your grades.
3) Ask, Ask, Ask!!
If you followed the last tip given, then you would know what to ask. Don’t be afraid. It might seem like a dumb question in your head but, if you have any doubt don’t be afraid to ask your teacher at school. Look at it from a different perspective. What if there’s a question on the test related to what you have a doubt on and because you didn’t ask, you got it wrong. That one question would be the difference between an A and B. Your teachers are there to guide you and if you don’t feel confident with them, ask a friend, a tutor, or a parent. These tests are what is going to represent your entire grade and what colleges see on your transcript, therefore, these questions can erase your doubt and give you one less thing to revise and study the night before. Make sure you not only ask the question but also practice problems in the book or any websites that relate to it so you can master the skill and go into the test without a single doubt.
4) Work in colour
Colour catches the eyes and maintains organization. By assigning each chapter a colour and highlighting things based on that colour, it organizes your workspace and thoughts. People get overwhelmed at the idea of revising multiple things and looking through the book for that information, but by colour coordinating it, the thoughts and ideas are clear. This year with everything online, the textbooks might be online so you might be wondering how to highlight the important idea and takeaways. Download the book into a Google Doc or simply a word document and assign a colour for each chapter and make a key so you know what colour refers to what idea. As someone who uses this hack on a daily basis for not just school but everyday tasks as well, the colour system allows me to quickly spot something without having to dig through an entire pile or book.
Reva is a grade 11 student attending Scottish High International School in India. She is a part of her school’s environmental club, president of the student council, and runs and jumps in track and field. She loves to spread awareness and help others in any way she can but is also creatively active in painting. Her favourite subjects and Math and Business because she loves to apply herself logistically. Reva hopes one day to be a future immigration lawyer and own her own law firm.
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