So you just realized your exam or test is coming up in a few days, and you only have one day to prepare, and you’re worried you won’t get the grades you want. Don’t worry; in this post, you will learn how to prepare for your exams at the last minute using various strategies.
1. Have a restful night’s sleep
The first and most essential last minute study hacks is to get enough sleep. Regularly getting 7 to 8 hours of sleep will assist you to recall what you’ve studied, and it can also help you remember things more quickly. If you study for a long time without getting enough sleep, your brain will not be able to retain information for a long time. To finish your homework, do not get up any earlier than usual else, it can impair rapid eye movement, which is crucial for memory.
2. Don’t freak out!
It’s much easier to say than do, but now is not the time to panic. Relax and focus on your studies. Emotions in your mind can be a source of distraction while studying. Focus on the crucial task by taking a few deep, slow breaths.
If you’re a stressed-out student, take some time to relax before getting back to study. When you have to process a lot of material in a short amount of time, your brain needs to be at ease.
3. Make a schedule for yourself
If you don’t plan ahead of time, you’re more likely to fail. Make a daily schedule to make the most of your time. The most efficient way to manage your time is to plan it out hour by hour. You may think this is a complete waste of time. Because worry causes you to put things off even more, arranging your time ahead will help you learn more and is one of the best last minute study hacks.
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4. Make your environment more interesting to learn
A change of environment can help with studying. Being in a room with other people studying can help you perform better in class. There are several aspects to consider before deciding on the optimal environment. Select a setting with few interruptions, such as a college library. If you like to study in a coffee shop, go to your favorite café and find a great spot.
5. Do not read a bulky textbook
Because you’re short on time, going through the textbook chapter by chapter might not be the best option. Instead, concentrate on your lecture notes or the slides presented by your lecturer.
If the slides are primarily text-based, it is recommended that you extensively review them to understand the format thoroughly before creating your outline. You’ll need to draw a strategy for each image if your presentation is primarily visual. The memory impact of illustrations is more significant than that of a string of words.
If you’re convinced that questions from the textbook will appear on the exam, skim through it thoroughly and pay special attention to the chapter summaries at the end of each chapter.
6. Read it out loud
When knowledge is delivered aloud, it is simpler to remember. When you read aloud, your brain receives three inputs (speak, listen, and see) instead of just one, making it easier to recall information. You can also talk out loud to help you remember the material. It’s best to avoid doing this in public because bothering others nearby isn’t good.
7. Use of social media sites should be limited or prohibited
Sometimes the internet may be a significant source of distraction. As a result, you’ll need to take some time away from social media. When studying for your exams at the last minute, you can’t afford to be distracted by social media. But If you can’t seem to stop scrolling through social media, Setting a time limit on how much time you can spend on social media is a good idea. Set a time limit and an alarm to notify you when the time limit has been reached.
8. Make mental connections
Connecting your learning to other subjects isn’t the same as having intelligence or imagination, but it can help you recall material faster. Making diagrams for your classes can assist you in keeping a visual record in your memory that will be easier to recall when the time comes to take the test.
9. A group study can be beneficial
Group study may help you gain confidence, but it can also help you retain the information you learn for a more extended amount of time. The acquisition of new knowledge and the improvement of the learning process can also be aided by group study. So make a phone call to that classmate and ask them to study with you.
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10. Deep breathing and meditation are recommended
Doing a lot of deep breathing and meditation as you study for the exam may help you not just focus better but also lessen anxiety.
11. Take a walk before the examination
It has been scientifically shown that walking for 20 minutes prior to the exam can increase cognitive capacities by 10%. Furthermore, light exercise will improve your cognitive function by 5-10% before the exam.
12. Make use of flashcards
Flashcards are an excellent technique to retain information. You may have developed and used flashcards during your studies; now is the time to go over them again. Even if you didn’t make them, making a few flashcards can still benefit you.
READ: How to make flashcards for studying
13. Practice exam questions are a good idea
Practicing exams question will assist you in becoming accustomed to the exam structure and allow you to test your knowledge. If you’re having trouble with a particular section, it might be worth your time to go over it again. You can go through the exam questions again until you earn a good score when you’re finished.
14. Make use of online platforms.
Another best last minute study hacks for your examination is to utilize online platforms, online platforms like YouTube are a terrific place to go. You will receive a large amount of material to help you refresh your memory of what you have learned and known.
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15. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water
When it comes to studying, there are many different things that you can do to help yourself out. However, keeping yourself hydrated is one of the most crucial things.
When you’re concentrated on studying, it’s easy to forget to drink water, but it’s necessary to keep your brain functioning properly. Keep a water bottle on you while studying, and take frequent breaks to drink. Your brain will be grateful!
16. Chunking is still good
Chunking is the mother of all learning approaches, according to an instructor of one of the world’s largest online courses. When children are taught relevant concepts in small bits, they are more likely to remember them. So break up the content into small, meaningful chunks instead of cramming all the details of a topic into your heads in one go.
Conclusion:
There is no doubt that studying hard is the only way to secure good marks in exams. There are no shortcuts to success, after all. However, the above tips will go a long way toward assisting you in planning and remembering your courses. These last-minute study tricks might work for you, while others might not. Do what you think is best for you. Best of luck!