How to Prepare For Your Exams, the Right Way

Sometimes considered a boon and at other times a bane, exams have a way of stressing students out! All-night cramming sessions or anxiety attacks seem to be part and parcel of preparing for the pursuit of academic excellence, but they don't have to be. If approached the right way, with a systematic plan and a right attitude, exams can be effectively tackled and help you in the learning process too. Here are some things to keep in mind that will help you prepare.

Get Away From Distractions

You need to give your full attention to the study material and be able to focus on it; with this objective in mind, minimising distractions is key because you don't want to be interrupted during this time. Turn off notifications on your phone (especially social media!) and try to find a quiet space away from outside noise too.

Make a Practical Study Plan

Before beginning it is important to make a study plan which is practical too. First, list out all the material you need to go through before the exam and come up with a schedule of what you are going to cover each day. Keep time for revisions too and don't pack the plan with unrealistic goals you can't meet; that will only lead to demotivation.

Be Prepared & Make Connections

You need to be in the right frame of mind before beginning; take in one day, one study session at a time. Also, make connections with the material and any practical applications of what you learnt that will lead to studying being more meaningful too. For example, some universities and hotel schools the likes of Asian Institute of Hospitality Management offer experiential learning so students can better connect what they have studied with practical and hands-on experiences.

Don't Be Afraid to Get Help

Don't be discouraged if you can't understand certain sections or concepts and don't be afraid to get help or ask questions. Be you studying in a college in the United States or a reputed hotel school Thailand has to offer, you will have top international lecturers on hand who will assist in the learning process. Additionally, if you join a study group, you can also get help from your classmates who may have a better understanding of certain sections.

Make Use Of & Review Notes

It is a good practice to make notes which you can use when studying; such notes can be jotted while at lectures or even when going through the study material. They should contain the main points that need to be covered and the related information which you can easily go through. Condense the information and make sure all the notes are complete; don't overcomplicate them by adding too many details either.

Utilise Mnemonic and Visual Devices

Mnemonics involve the use of devices such as acronyms, rhymes or acrostics to help you make patterns and connections with what you are studying. These options assist you to make quick links with the study material that will be easier to recall too. Added to this is the use of visual reference points which can include mind maps, flow charts, diagrams, graphs and tables; these will help you quickly remember and associate the material that needs to be studied.

Take Breaks and Get Good Sleep

Keep in mind that studying for long periods at a stretch is not an effective way to remember or meaningfully understand the material. With that in mind, take short breaks after every half an hour or so of studying. Added to this, is that you should also get the proper rest including sleep which will help your body and mind feel fresh and ready for another study session the next day!