I have some great stories about how I passed my college exams (with some awesome study techniques) back in the day!
The first one is the always-reliable cram session (which, of course, should only be used as a last resort! ). I’d pull an all-nighter the night before a big test, cramming as much information into my brain as I possibly could.
Coffee was my best friend during these times – I’d guzzle as much of the stuff as humanly possible to keep me going. 🧋☕
Related: Cramming for Tests the Day Before: How to Make the Most of That 24-Hour Clock!
Then, there were the study techniques like mnemonics and flashcards. I’d create funny acronyms to help me remember information, or make up little rhymes and songs to help me recall facts. And flashcards? Those were my go-to whenever I needed to remember something important. I’d write out a keyword or question on one side of the card and the answer on the other. It was like I had my own little mini-study guide in my pocket!
Finally, there were the review sessions with my friends. We’d get together and quiz each other on all the relevant material📒🗒️, bouncing ideas off one another and helping to reinforce everything we had learned. It was like studying, but with a side of laughter!
Altogether, these methods (and more!) helped me survive my college exams and come out on top. I remember one of my professors commenting on how she was amazed at the level of detail and accuracy in my answers. That’s when I knew I had cracked the code of college exams!
Related: How to Ace Exams Like a Boss: 11 Exam Tips for College Students!
I believe the key to exam success 🗝️ is finding a study method that works for you and sticking with it. With all the awesome study techniques out there, like creating acronyms to remember things, writing out flashcards, and even forming study groups with your friends, there’s bound to be something that will help you succeed.
So being a veteran exam taker 🤺, I believe that I am now qualified to offer some tips on how to study for exams and the best methods to help you succeed. So here are 25 awesome study techniques that I learned – and wish I knew sooner!
25 Study Techniques Every College Student Should Know
1. Cramming: Don’t do it! That’s what I always tell my friends. While cramming can work in a pinch, it should only be used as a last resort. Cramming means spending all night trying to memorize 🤯🗒️ everything you need to know just before an exam. The night before the big test, grab a cup of coffee and settle down for some serious studying
2. Mnemonics: Mnemonics are memory aids that use a word or phrase to help you remember facts. For example, if you were trying to learn the planets of the solar system, you could use the acronym “My Very Energetic Mother Just Served Us Nine Pizzas” to remember the planets in order
3. Flashcards: Flashcards are one of the best ways to remember important facts and information. All you have to do is write a keyword or question on one side of the card and the answer on the other. As you go through each card, you’ll be reinforcing your knowledge without even realizing it!
4. Study Groups: Studying with friends can help make learning more enjoyable, plus you can quiz each other and bounce ideas 💡 off one another. Plus, if one person doesn’t understand something, chances are that someone else in the group will be able to explain it better
5. Making Study Guides: A study guide gives you an overview of all the material you need to know for an exam. It can also be used as a reference to help you review the material quickly and easily
6. Taking Practice Tests: Taking practice tests can help you identify your strengths and weaknesses, so you can focus on what needs more attention and increase your chances of success🏆🥇
7. Time Management: Studying is important, but it’s just as important to take breaks throughout your studying session so that your mind stays sharp. Make sure to plan out a study schedule with break times included!
8. Listening to Music: Believe it or not, listening to music can actually help you concentrate and focus on your work. Put on some of your favorite tunes and get to work! 🎧🎶
9. Creating Acronyms: Instead of memorizing individual facts, you can create acronyms to help you remember them. For example, PEMDAS stands for Parentheses, Exponent, Multiplication, Division, Addition, Subtraction
10. Breaking Down Large Tasks: If you have a large task ahead of you that seems overwhelming, break it down into smaller chunks. This will make it easier to manage and complete
11. Employing the Pareto Principle: This principle states that 80% of your results come from 20% of your efforts. Identify the most important topics and focus on those first to maximize your studying efficiency
12. Creating Visuals: Visuals such as diagrams, charts, and graphs 📈📊 are great for visual learners and can help you better understand difficult concepts
13. Memory Palaces: A memory palace is a way of associating physical locations with facts and information. You create a mental image of each item and then associate it with a physical location in your home for easy recall
14. Outlining: Outlining is a great way to organize your thoughts and review the material quickly. This can help you remember the main points of what you’ve read
15. Writing Summaries: Summarizing is an excellent way to review material quickly and effectively. After you’ve read a section, try writing a short summary of the main points
16. Taking Notes: Writing notes is an important step in studying and can help you remember key facts and concepts. Make sure to jot down any questions ❓ or things that you need to look up later
17. Eliminating Distractions: Turn off your phone and any other distractions so that you can focus completely on studying. This will help you stay on track and get more accomplished
18. Talking It Out: If you’re having trouble understanding a concept, try explaining it 🗣️ to someone else. This will force you to think about the material in a different way and can help with your understanding
19. Making Connections to Everyday Life: Making connections between different topics or facts can help you better understand and remember them. Look for similarities between the concepts you are studying
20. Quizlet: Quizlet is an online tool that can help you study a wide range of topics. It allows you to create flashcards, quizzes, and other study materials to help you review the material
21. Testing Yourself: Testing yourself is an effective study technique that can help you identify areas of weakness and strengthen your knowledge of the material. Try quizzing yourself to check how much you’ve retained
22. Explaining it to a Friend: Explain the material to a friend or family member who doesn’t know anything about it. This can help you better understand and remember the concepts
23. Using Flashcards: Flashcards are an effective way to review material quickly and test your recall. Create cards for each individual concept and use them to quiz yourself on the material
24. Rewriting Notes: Re-writing notes by hand ✍🏼 can help you remember the material better than reading them. The physical act of writing can make a difference in your understanding
25. Mind Maps: Mind maps are great for visual learners and can help you organize your thoughts. Create a map of the main topics and branch off with related ideas for easy recall.
You don’t have to slog through studying like it’s a punishment. With the proper tools and methods, you can make it enjoyable, beneficial, and productive. You now have (or at least know about…?) 25 great study techniques that will help you ace those exams! So go ahead and try different things until you find what works best for you!
10 Additional Exam Tips for College Students that will actually make a difference!
1. Make a study plan: Before starting to study, make an organized plan of what you want to cover and how long ⌛ you’ll spend on each topic. This can help you stay on track and make more efficient use of your time.
2. Break it up: Instead of trying to tackle a large task all at once, break it up into smaller chunks. This will make it easier to focus and stay motivated.
3. Set realistic goals: Set achievable goals 🥅 for yourself so that you don’t become overwhelmed or discouraged. Make sure to celebrate when you reach them!
4. Find a quiet spot: It is important to find a study area that is quiet and free from distractions. This will help you stay focused on the task at hand.
5. Change Your Study Location: Don’t get too comfortable in one spot 🛋️. Instead, switch up your study location every now and then to help keep you motivated and focused.
6. Make it fun: Find ways to make studying enjoyable and rewarding. Listen to your favorite music, take breaks for snacks or games, or find a study buddy to keep you motivated.
7. Get Enough Sleep: Make sure to get enough rest so that you are well-rested and ready to tackle your studies.
8. Review Regularly: Don’t wait until the last minute to review material. Instead, review as you go along to help keep the information fresh in your mind.
9. Ask Questions: If you don’t understand something, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Ask your teacher or a friend to explain it in a way that makes sense to you. This will help ensure that you are really understanding the material.
10. Stay Positive: Studying can be tough, so make sure to stay positive ➕🧸 and remind yourself of why you’re doing it. Celebrate your successes and don’t forget to take breaks!
Everyone has their own unique style when it comes to studying. And finding the right techniques that work for you can be a challenge.
But once you find what works, it’ll feel like discovering a magical secret! 🪄🏰 No matter what study techniques you choose, with a little hard work and dedication, you’re sure to succeed and ace those exams!
“Studying: because the only thing worse than taking a test is not having studied for it!”
Leave a Reply