The day I crammed for my test was one of panic, sleeplessness, and energy drinks.
It all began with an email that I wish I had never opened. “Signal Analysis CO-I Exam Tomorrow” – the subject line read. And of course, this was the first time I had heard about it! 😯😑
With a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach, I started to frantically search for my notes. After a few hours of searching (and some serious cursing), I finally found them, and then it was time to start studying – whether I was ready or not!
I huddled on my bed with my notes spread out in front of me and tried to make sense of all the formulas and theories I had learned throughout the last couple of weeks. After a few minutes, my tired brain was already starting to feel overloaded with information.
To make matters worse, I was completely surrounded by distractions – from my phone constantly buzzing with calls from my super clingy boyfriend whom I was in love with at that point, to the sound of my roommates (who were also my best friends💞) watching F.R.I.E.N.D.S in the background. With so much going on, it felt like I was having a mini party – except I wasn’t having any fun!
I was determined not to fail the exam, so I put my head down and kept studying, despite all of the distractions. Energy drinks were my lifeblood as I tried to absorb as much information as possible.
Related: How To Stop Procrastinating In College: The Art of (Not) Putting Things Off
As I memorized facts and equations, I felt the clock ticking away. I only had a few hours left and I was nowhere near ready for the exam.
I faced numerous challenges as I tried to cram for the test. At one point, my eyes were so heavy that I decided to take a “power nap”–but that ended up being a two-hour snooze fest. 😴💤
I also had to battle with my dwindling energy levels and kept having to search for yet another energy drink. And I also had to decide when I could take a break, which usually meant that I would take one every few minutes.
Pretty sure I had the look of a mad scientist by then👩🏼🔬🔬, surrounded by my formula notes and energy drinks.
Related: Maximizing College Learning: How to take Notes from Textbooks the Right Way!
Finally, after a marathon of cramming (and way too many energy drinks), I stumbled into the exam room feeling exhausted but determined to make it through. As I glanced around the room and saw everyone else looking bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, I knew that my impromptu cram session had been a bad idea.
I could barely keep my eyes open, but then it occurred to me – this was a test of knowledge, not endurance. Despite the odds, I somehow managed to stay focused and finish the exam
When my results came in, I couldn’t believe it – I had pulled off an A+! I felt a wave of relief 🌊🏄🏼♀️ wash over me – the sleepless night and frantic cramming session had all been worth it in the end.
I did get an A+ But What’s the Moral of this Story? 🤔
1. Cramming for tests isn’t always a good idea. You should always give yourself enough time to properly prepare for tests and exams. But sometimes it’s the only option, especially when you’re in a bind.
2. Don’t underestimate how much caffeine ☕🧋 can help you stay alert and focused when studying
3. When it comes to last-minute studying, every little bit counts!
4. Never be afraid to ask for help from your professor or classmates if you’re having trouble understanding a concept because it’s going to haunt you the day before the exam
5. And above all else, don’t forget to believe in yourself and trust that you can do anything you set your mind to!
The Pros and Cons of Cramming – Who Wants to Sleep Through the Exam?
When cramming for tests, there are pros and cons to consider. On one hand, cramming has been known to help with short-term memory recall, which can help you cram in a lot of material in a short amount of time.
On the other hand, cramming for tests can be mentally and physically exhausting as cramming requires a lot of intense study sessions in order to remember all the information.
Pros of cramming for tests (*HINT* Don’t do It ❌❌)
- Helps with short-term memory Recall
- And that’s it! Cramming is a last-minute resort with no benefits.
Cons of cramming for tests (there are plenty!)
- Cramming for tests can be mentally and physically exhausting
- You may not have enough time to fully understand the material or concepts
- Not enough time to practice or apply the material
- Increases stress levels 😰🥵
- Inability to remember all of the information for the long-term
- Cramming can lead to poor study habits
- You can’t learn as much material in a short amount of time
- High risk of cramming the wrong material or forgetting it during the exam
- Little to no rest before exams leading to fatigue
- Poor sleeping habits that can have an impact on one’s overall health
- Increased risk of poor grades, bad choices, and crappy jobs after graduation 🎓😑
In conclusion, cramming may be an option when you are in a bind, but it’s not recommended for long-term success.
If possible, it’s best to manage your time wisely and study throughout the semester. That way, you can be sure that you have a solid foundation of knowledge and don’t need to cram to pass your exams.
Related: Time Management Tips for College Students: How to Fit Everything into 24 Hours
But Here Are Some Strategies to Help Make Cramming for Tests More Efficient (just in case!)
It’s the night before the big test and your stomach is in knots. You know you have to cram, but there are only so many hours in a day! Don’t worry – I’ve got you covered with some tips on making the most of that 24-hour clock ⏱️⏰ for some last-minute test prep.
1. Get organized: It’s hard to cram effectively when your study area is disorganized and cluttered. Take some time to organize your area, so you can focus on cramming instead of looking for important notes or textbooks
Related: How to stay Organized in College: 9 Tips to Help You Conquer the College Chaos
2. Set deadlines: Deadlines can be a great motivator to cram efficiently. Decide how much time you need for cramming and make sure you stick to the plan 🔏🛅
3. Smaller Chunks: Don’t cram like crazy throughout the night! It’s easy to get overwhelmed and it will only hurt your performance on the test. Instead, break up your cram session into appropriate chunks of time (say, one hour each). This will help you stay focused and better retain what you’re studying
4. Take breaks: Breaks help keep your brain fresh, so make sure you take them throughout cramming sessions. A few minutes here and there can help you retain information better
5. Make use of flashcards: Flashcards are great for cramming, as they can help you quickly cram new information. Just make sure to read and rewrite them until the info sticks 🃏🎴
6. Make summaries: Summaries are a great way to quickly recall points and facts that you need to remember for your test. Just remember to make sure they’re concise and understandable
7. Use mnemonics: Mnemonics, or memory tricks, are great tools for quickly memorizing information. For example, use the acronym “My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Noodles” to memorize the planets in order
8. Talk it out: Talking through your material can help you remember and retain the information better. You can talk to yourself, or better yet, find someone else who is also cramming for the test and discuss your notes
9. Go over old tests: Past tests or test prep books can help you get familiar with the type of questions that may be on the upcoming test. This can help you quickly cram the important points
10. Get enough sleep: It may seem tempting to pull an all-nighter to cram for the test, but you’ll be better off in the long run if you get a good night’s sleep 30-minute nap 😴💤 at least. Your brain needs rest to function optimally, so don’t skimp on sleep
11. Focus on the important points: Don’t waste time trying to cram every little detail. Instead, focus on the important points and concepts that will be on the test
12. Make note of what you don’t know: If you come across something that you don’t understand, make a note of it 📓📝 and review it later. This will help you avoid wasting time during your cramming session
13. Keep a positive attitude: It can be easy to get discouraged when studying for a test, but keeping a positive attitude can help keep your morale up and make cramming more efficient
14. Eat smart: Eating a snack 🍉 before your cram session can help keep your energy levels up, and eating complex carbohydrates 🥗 can help keep your brain functioning well. Just make sure to stay away from sugary snacks that will only give you a quick energy boost
15. Try to move as much as possible: Taking breaks to stretch or even just walk 🚶🏼♀️ around can help keep your brain awake and alert while cramming. It can also help you stay focused and keep your morale up during long cramming sessions
16. Get creative: Find creative ways to study, like making songs or drawing diagrams. This can help make cramming more enjoyable and efficient
So, don’t lose your head (or your sanity 🤯) the night before a big test. Instead, make sure you have the right plan in place so that your cramming sessions are as efficient and effective as possible.
Sure the day before the test may be a bit stressful, but with these strategies in mind, you’ll ace it like an A+ student.
So take a deep breath, grab your snacks, and prepare yourself for success! You got this 🏆🥷🏼
“When you have to cram for a test, the organization is key. Make sure you have your plan outlined and stick to it!”
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