Exam Study Tips
December 3, 2016
Credit: Sophia Mastro/ Achona Online. Learning Specialist, Danica Rodriguez says, “In order to avoid unnecessary stress and anxiety over your exams, it is a great time to start organizing yourself and creating a study plan.”
With midterm week rapidly approaching, a first priority for many is to begin preparing for the big week. With two weeks until exams, the stress of studying looms over many students heads. Learning Specialist, Danica Rodriguez, has several tips to help students prepare for their exams.
1. Don’t delete the email about exam calendar prep.
Rodriguez recently sent out an email with an exam calendar preparation guide. Try using the calendar when making reviews and splitting up study days for each subject.
“A suggested exam prep calendar. The calendar holds an example schedule for how to best prepare and manage your study time for your midterms. Again, this calendar is a suggestion and should be tailored to fit your individual schedule. Also, it does not include how to study or what to study. That is dependent on each individual class and teacher. Your teachers are the ultimate source on what material to study” says Danica Rodriguez.
Junior Feraby Hoffman says, “In order to prepare for exams, I create a calendar and schedule which days to study specific subjects and chapters.”
Senior Bruni Neufeld says, “I take all my notes out of my binders and organize them by chapters. I create a exam preparation calendar by scheduling which days I will cover specific chapters. For example, let’s say I have 15 chapters and I schedule time to study five days in advance, I will cover three chapters each day.”
2. Don’t procrastinate.
Students who wait to study the weekend before generally become overwhelmed and struggle on their exams. Begin studying at least a week in advance and make a study schedule.
Senior Olivia Valdes says, “I am the queen of procrastination, but when it comes to exams I have to force myself to study days in advance otherwise I will have a mental breakdown.”
Students who are over stressed or have test anxiety can schedule an appointment with Sister Mary Glavin or Ms. Pantelis. Whether the student needs test strategies or just needs to talk, Sister Mary Glavin and Guidance Counselor Emily Pantelis have great advice.
4. Ask questions.
Students should ask their teachers questions on material they find confusing throughout the week prior to their exams. Teachers are more than happy to answer questions and help students out.
Math teacher David Bland says, “Students who have questions on the material should ask me in class the week leading up to exams or find me in my office during exam week.”
Lastly but most importantly get plenty of sleep the week of exams. Do not stay up all night studying. It is important for students to get a good night’s rest so their brain is sharp for their exam.
Exams can be overwhelming and cause students to stress and panic. Making sure to get enough sleep and staying organized will help students feel less stressed and more prepared for their exams.