Jingle bells, jingle bells… The holidays are coming! But if you are BCIT student, I bet your main concern nowadays is not your Christmas presents. Whether you diligently studied for the whole semester or have skipped half of the classes, you probably feel anxious about upcoming project deadlines and final exams. So, let me share five research-based study tips that will help you survive exam season.
1. Plan your study time.
While cramming is one of the most popular strategies for exam preparation, it is also the most inefficient one. After a sleepless night at the ehPod, it might seem that you are familiar with the material; however, it does not mean you will be able to recall it. Cramming stores information in short-term memory which has only a limited capacity and just a short retention period. Not to mention, that our brain tends to remember the first and the last things we have learnt and to forget everything in the middle. On the other hand, spacing your study will allow you to retain information for longer. I have also found it useful to alternate between different subjects and activities while studying. This strategy helps me to stay focused and motivated.
2. Study efficiently.
Instead of simply reading through your textbook, try to actively engage with the material. Some well-known strategies are highlighting, creating MindMaps, and writing notes. So, after reading a chapter, stop for a moment and try to recall the information you have just learned. Link new material to what you already know as it will make you more likely to remember it. Then write down several key points without looking in your textbook. Study like this for 25 minutes, then take a 5-minute break.
3. Test yourself.
I used to think that review questions at the end of textbook chapters were not worth my attention. However, even though re-reading material once or twice is useful, it turns out that repeated retrieval practice is more effective in creating long-term memories than simply re-reading. Moreover, testing yourself helps to identify topics that require additional attention. Another bonus of this technique is that you might get similar questions during your exam and practicing them beforehand will prevent stress-related knowledge loss. As we all know, practice makes perfect.
4. Get enough sleep.
“Oh yes, this is the obvious one!” you might say. Yet the majority of students do not get nearly enough sleep. Sleep deprivation impairs our cognitive processes such as the ability to concentrate, learn and retain new information. Even short naps are useful as they reduce fatigue and boost concentration. Moreover, sleep is important for memory consolidation, the process by which long-lasting memories are created. One review highlights that sleep quality and quantity influence students’ academic performance. Therefore, instead of spending the night before your exam at the library, give yourself the gift of good sleep in your cozy bed.
5. Reward yourself.
I was pleased to find out that even though memory consolidation is generally enhanced by sleep, this process is even more efficient when excellent performance is expected to be rewarded. To put it simply, plan how you will reward yourself after your exams. Be generous.
Finally, make sure to fuel your brain with healthy and regular meals, fresh air and positive thoughts.
For even more tips, go to https://www.bcit.ca/learningcommons. Good luck!
