Here’s my complete guide to exam preparation (+ tips for college students) to help you feel confident and prepared come *shivers* exam day.
Let’s be honest, no one is really excited about giving exams. Exam pressure isn’t just stressful – it can be overwhelming. One minute you’re sure that you know everything and the next, you’re completely blanking out on all the important material.
Suddenly *everything* other than textbooks is more interesting when exams are approaching.
As a college student, you’re stuck between wanting to sleep all day, hang out with your friends, and procrastinate on the internet… but also needing to study so that you don’t fail your exams.
So I’ve jotted down all the exam tips (for college students) that I personally follow to continue getting amazing grades in college.
11 Exam Season Tips for College Students
1. Skip the Excuses
Skip the Excuses! Nobody wants to hear them, least of all yourself.
You don’t need anyone’s permission or validation in order to study for your exams – you owe it to yourself!
Sure, grades aren’t *everything*, but having solid ones can open up more doors and opportunities. So don’t waste your time coming up with excuses – get that tushie off the couch and start studying! You won’t regret it. (Trust me!).
Related: How to Get Good Grades in College: The Ultimate Guide
Related: Getting Bad Grades in College: Bouncing Back & Recovery
2. Don’t Be Fooled by FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out)
When everyone’s getting together to watch the latest blockbuster or going out for dinner, it can be really hard to resist the temptation and stay home to study.
But you have to remind yourself that in the long run, your future is more important than moments of pleasure. So put on your grownup pants and hit those books!
Who knows, maybe after exams are over there’ll be one giant party and you’ll get twice as much fun then.
Related: How to Balance Social Life with Schoolwork: A Guide For College Students
2. Drink Coffee Eat Right and Sleep Well!
It may seem like a good idea to stay up until the early hours of the morning studying, guzzling cups of coffee in between. But while you might think your exam results will be better if you burn the midnight oil, it’s actually not the case.
Studies have shown that sleep is essential for exam success and pulling all-nighters can actually lead to poorer exam results.
Make a deal with your body: give it the good stuff and in return, you’ll get energy, alertness, and even better exam results.
Don’t be a dummy and starve yourself or stay up all night to study – that’s like being drunk for your exam. The presence of mind is everything during exam time. Get it together early on so you don’t have to sweat out the exam day.
Related: It’s Ok to be Selfish: How to Make Self-Care Your Top Priority in College
3. Right Place and the Right Time
Make sure you have a spacious, distraction-free study space set up.
That means no Instagram or Netflix – this is exam season after all – but it also means no roommates, phones ringing, or dirty dishes.
Set up a desk and make sure you have all the tools you need to be successful – highlighters, pencils, erasers, and all your study material. I’m talking full-on exam prep mode: study charts, laptops, water, and snacks.
Don’t let anything stand in your way of exam success. I once procrastinated for two whole days because I forgot to bring an eraser to the library and convinced myself that this was a sign from the universe for me to relax. ( 😓True story!) Don’t let that be you.
We talked about getting the right place to study but choosing the right time is important too. Set regular times to get your studying done. Pick a time when you are more alert and least likely to get distracted and give up on life and studying.
Related: Break the Monotony: Here’s How to Achieve a Perfect Study Session!
4. Get Organized: Exam Tips for College Students
That’s right, Organization is key!
It’s important to stay organized when preparing for an exam, so make sure you create a detailed study plan and stick to it! Try breaking down your studying into manageable chunks and focus on one subject at a time.
Also designate one place for all your books, notes, and materials so you won’t spend half an hour looking for those vital lecture slides!
Having everything organized will help keep distractions at bay allowing you to get the most out of your study time.
Related: How to stay Organized in College: 9 Tips to Help You Conquer the College Chaos
5. Take Regular breaks
It is tempting to study for 15 hours at a stretch, give the exam and get it done with. But this rarely gives you good results. Sure you can pass but you need to aim for better results and good grades.
Just like with any other task, studying for exams requires concentration, and taking regular breaks can actually help improve your focus in the long run!
Give yourself a few minutes here and there to get up from your desk and stretch or take a quick walk around the block – it’ll do wonders for your concentration.
6. Prioritize the Material: Exam Tips for College Students
Not all exam material is created equal, so make sure you prioritize what you study based on what areas will have the biggest impact on your final grade.
Focus on the material that you’re struggling with first. If there is a section of exam material that you understand, take some time to expand on it.
7. Utilize Exam Prep Materials
There are a lot of exam prep resources available online or in print, so take advantage of them! Exam prep books and flashcards can be great tools to help you review material quickly and efficiently.
FYI: Flashcards are a great study method for exams, as they allow you to quickly review key exam topics and test yourself on them. Flashcards are also very easy to make and transport, so you can take them with you wherever you go and use them during any downtime.
Related: “Why Didn’t I Know This Sooner?!”: 25 Awesome Study Techniques
8. Stop Avoiding Practise Exams
Taking practice exams is one of the best tips for exam success, but it’s also a dreaded task that most of us would rather avoid.
Sure, it can feel like a chore to sit down and go over exam material again and again. But here’s the thing: even though it might not be fun, taking practice exams is essential in exam preparation. It’s the only way to get a real sense of exam difficulty and understand exam formats, so you can knock it out of the park on exam day!
Plus, taking practice exams gives you an opportunity to review all the knowledge that you’ve gained during your studies – now isn’t that worth it?
Do not avoid this tip: if you want to become an exam champ, you have to put in the hard work and take practice exams!
9. Help will always be given to those who ask for it in Hogwarts anywhere!
If there’s any exam material that you’re having difficulty understanding then don’t hesitate to reach out for help!
Talk to your professor, a classmate, or even a tutor – they can help provide some clarity and direction on exam topics where you’re feeling lost. Getting an extra set of eyes to review exam material can give you the clarity and direction that you need to tackle tougher concepts.
10. Learn How to Say No
Say no to exam procrastination! Be tough on yourself and tell your friends, ‘Sorry, I can’t hang out right now – exam season is serious business!’
And that goes for all of the other temptations as well because every boring video suddenly appears to be the most interesting thing: put down that phone, close those tabs, and don’t even think about binging Netflix.
Put in the effort now, and you’ll reap the rewards when exam day comes around. No excuses – it’s time to focus!
11. Be Positive: Exam Tips for College Students
Super cheesy, I know! But do not underestimate the power of positivity!
Believe in yourself and your exam-taking abilities – that confidence will go a long way in helping you conquer exam day.
Acing your exams (in college) doesn’t have to be a stressful experience.
By following these exam tips, you can ensure that you’re as prepared and confident as possible before exam season rolls around.
“Exam season: when the only motivation you have is to procrastinate..!”
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