I’ll make this brief, since y’all are probably here during your study break! My study methods have evolved a LOT since freshman year, since you learn so much about what works and doesn’t work for you along the way. Having 2-4 exams for a class can seem daunting, but studying SMART, not hard, will lead you to success. Here’s a quick guide to how I now prepare for exams in college!
1. Start early.
You don’t need to start preparing for an exam the day after you learn new material, but try to make a study plan at least 1-2 weeks in advance. This will help you spread out your daily tasks and keep you from getting overwhelmed!
2. Make a plan!
First, make a list of every section you need to study. For example: Chapters 4-9 or Lectures 8-15, depending on your specific course curriculum.
Next, for each section make a list of items you want to get done or review. For example: HW, practice problems, review slides, review or rewrite notes. While doing this, make a mental note of how helpful each task is for the exam.
Then, divide this up into manageable chunks of time, such as 3 items or 1 section a day. You should plan this based on how much material you have to cover in a certain timeframe, and set aside time for other responsibilities and self-care!
3. Prioritize.
Not all tasks are equally important. If you know a professor’s exams are more like the HW, focus on reviewing that and understanding the solutions. If the textbook is dense or unhelpful, don’t read the entire 80-page chapter. Review the chapter summary at the end, and only read the topics you want more clarity on. If the practice problems are too easy or off-topic, skip them. Use your time wisely and put your efforts into things that will actually help you prepare for the exam!
Prioritize certain material. I like to review my notes and slides together, add any info I missed, and prioritize the important info by highlighting it.
I use 3 colors - one each for headings, vocab/key terms, and important points in the general notes. I use the same set of colors for an entire unit; this way my brain knows what material goes together.
Do not over-highlight! Prioritize the most important, new terms, and ones that may be difficult to remember. Your eyes will keep coming back to those.
Lastly, I like to pick out key images or diagrams that may be on the exam, and add them to my iPad notes or print them out. I then annotate these or practice labeling them. You should prioritize (do you see a theme yet?) and focus less on images that are overly simple, familiar, or irrelevant.
4. Fill in the gaps.
Make sure you find and UNDERSTAND the solutions to any homework or practice questions you found confusing or difficult.
Attend review sessions if you have time. Professors may hint at the exam format, important topics, or possible questions. Even if you don’t have questions, others always do and you may benefit from the discussion. The professor or teaching assistants may also give practice problems to those in attendance.
Attend office hours if you have specific questions. You get one-on-one time with the professor, and this also makes a good impression if you want to get to know them better or request a letter of recommendation in the future.
5. Reinforce.
Quizlet Quizlet Quizlet! Make your own set of flashcards or search for your specific chapter on the site. Now, you can even add images and choose from suggested definitions. My favorite method is “Learn”, which allows you to set an exam date and practice multiple choice or written questions (you can customize the format). I like to practice when I’m on the bus, waiting in line, or simply before bed because it’s an easy way to study.
It may seem repetitive, but it helps you build up your muscle memory and connect concepts and definitions. However, do this last to reinforce what you have already studied. It will not help you understand the material in depth and build up your long-term memory. But once you’re done with everything else, it helps you feel more confident when you review the set on exam day, or the night before!
6. Relax!
Most importantly, get a good night’s sleep (it really helps!) and stay relaxed in the hours before the exam. Take deep breaths, stay hydrated, ease your tense shoulders, and stop trying to cram details! If you have any urgent, last-minute questions, ask your classmates, TA, or professor, but do not stress because that tiny detail may not even be on the exam.
Make sure you have what you need: extra pencils, a CHARGED calculator, your ID, and your cheat sheet if allowed. Personally, I like to dress comfortably, chew gum to stay fresh during the exam (if permitted), and tie my hair up so it’s out of the way.
I hope you take what you need from this guide and that it helps you in your own studying! Best of luck for midterms, finals, and the rest of the semester!
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