Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 3: Smart studying
• Part 2 of 3: Preparing yourself for the exam
• Part 3 of 3: Taking the test
• Tips
• Warnings

In business life there are no tests for which you get a grade. But they seem there at school all the time to be. It should be so easy to read the material and go to class, but sometimes that's not enough. We'll cover how to study effectively, get your brain started, and what to do during the test to make sure you pass with flying colors. See Step 1 below to make sure your next test is a breeze!

To step

Part 1 of 3: Smart studying

1. Work systematically. Before you hit the road to success in the exam, you'll be a lot more productive (and a lot less distracted) if you keep things orderly. Before you sink into the couch and there is no turning back, consider the following:
   • Make a schedule. Your life is probably full of hobbies, social obligations, and a lot of things you would rather do or not do. So make a schedule and stick to it.
   • Gather already your papers. Even the assignments you made a long time ago can come in handy. It is essential to have the most important of all - your syllabus.
   • Collect everything you could possibly need. From paperclips to highlighters and extra pillows - grab it right now.
   • Get some water, something healthy and something not so healthy (recent studies say dark chocolate boosts cognitive function!). If you feel sluggish, have some caffeine. Don't feel bad about the oversized latte - caffeine (at least in moderate amounts) can really boost you up.
2. Specify your study schedule. So you scheduled a block of two this Thursday and set it aside for studying history. Awesome. That's step 1. Make it really useful now! Spend this Thursday in the Seven Years' War. On Monday you can read about the French Revolution and next Wednesday you will work all the way to Napoleon and his megalomania. Have specific goals in mind - whether it's drafts, time, or the number of pages or chapters. It will make everything seem infinitely better.
   • If you have to take more than one test, make sure to balance them. You don't have to spend the same amount of time on both - focus most on the ones you find more difficult. You can use the other topic for variety if you are really short on time.
3. Make your notes less drab and boring. The great thing about studying is that you can do it however you want. So don't take a nap during a boring class, make it fun. Something you will remember.
   • Use highlighters to highlight important information. Use one color for key concepts, one color for vocabulary, and another color for dates, etc. Going through your notes will make them much easier to quickly review.
   • Create your own graphs, charts and diagrams from the information. Photos are so much easier to view and remember when you are studying. 40% of all carbon emissions come from agriculture? Sounds like it's time for a pie chart.
   • It can really help you rewrite your notes. Studies show that exposing yourself to information in different ways (that is, instead of just reading it, writing it down) makes it stick in your head longer. But don't rewrite them all - stick to a global summary.
4. Mix things up. Research has shown that it is important to study different concepts in different places. It turns out that if your brain is bored reading about photosynthesis while sitting in your bedroom, it will do you good to go to the library and continue studying. This is what it's about:
   • Study in different places. It turns out that our brains make associations between our environment and what we are doing. The more associations you have, the stronger the connection.
   • Study different concepts. You don't think a basketball player trains on his lay-ups for three hours straight, do you? The same goes for students. If you keep doing division sums one after the other, your brain goes on autopilot. Work on different concepts to keep your brain from turning into a mess.
5. Take breaks. This is not lazing around. This is charging. Studies have shown that taking breaks help your brain to regain energy and concentrate longer. So take a five or ten minute break every hour. It will help you remember the material better and focus.
   • If you really want to get serious, take that break to jump or jog. Starting your blood circulation ensures that your brain also receives more energy. If you can work out in the gym or at home, that's even better. It turns out that exercise can also improve your studying stamina.
6. Make sure you understand the concepts first. This seems logical, but too many students read the concepts over and over in the hope that they will gain meaning naturally and magically - when all you have to do is step back and than let it all fall into place. Before you spend hours reading things you don't quite understand, work on the bigger picture. First look at the painting from a distance before you zoom in on the details.
   • Summaries and overviews help with this - it's part of the reason your syllabus is so useful. If you don't have one yet, make one. Then you can concentrate on one part of the overview at a time.
7. Study with a few friends. The best study groups consist of no more than 3-4 people, and the best study groups are extremely effective (if you enjoy studying with others). To make sure your study group gets you where you need to be and not just you and three friends eating snacks and discussing the latest TV shows, keep this information in mind:
   • Designate a person as the leader of the group (this can take turns if that works for you). The leader should keep the group on track.
   • Determine what you are going to study and how, in front of you come together. Having goals makes them easier to achieve.
   • Make sure everyone is prepared as well as possible. One person who slackens and doesn't take it seriously can drag the whole group along. If that happens, that person will have to adapt or step out of the group.
   • Bring food and drinks and make it as fun as possible. Hear each other, hold discussions and make the information interactive. The more stimulating it is, the more you'll remember when it's time for the test.
8. However, it is important to know that what matters is that you know what works for you. The fact is, everyone is different. Some studies say that you should study just before going to sleep or just after waking up - those are times when your brain is most likely to absorb and retain the information. Others say afternoon works best. Some people work well in groups, while others prefer to be alone. Ultimately, you have to do what seems to work for you.
   • While some studies say the idea of ​​a particular type of student is nonsense, you might want to give it a try. Prefer to listen to new content? Read? Talk about it? Which way helps you to remember it? Concentrate on that method when you study.

Part 2 of 3: Preparing yourself for the exam

1. Calm yourself. If you get stressed about tests, the fear won't help you. It is in your best interest to be as calm as possible. Here are some ideas to get you feeling zen:
   • Practice yoga. It turns out that yoga can help with anxiety and can improve your attention. And if it burns some calories, that's a third benefit!
   • Practice meditation. You probably already know that meditation leads to lower stress levels and less anxiety. Just a few minutes a day can be all you need.
   • Smell some essential oil for a blast of aromatherapy. A touch of lavender or rosemary can reduce your fear of keys. Could it be any easier?
2. Get plenty of sleep. In order to function 100%, your brain needs sleep. In itself eight hours is a good starting point, but anything from 7-9 hours a night should work. If you don't get enough sleep, your attention, focus, and memory suffer. So don't risk it!
   • In other words, don't stay up all night studying. You are not doing yourself any favors and you really will not memorize the material by staying up half awake until four in the morning with coffee and chocolate bars. If you ever get to that point, know that you better go to sleep.
3. Also think about your body. The right diet prior to a test can also be the icing on the cake: If your body isn't feeling well, your mind will lag, too. Stay away from processed junk as much as possible - a dip after too much sugar won't be much fun.
   • Would you like some food recommendations? Go for products with omega 3 and 6. These nutrients can be found in fish, nuts and olive oil, and can help combat fear of a test.
4. Freshen your mind by putting your body to work. Scientists are well on their way to determining the link between creative potential and aerobic exercise - it turns out that doing the latter increases the first to about two hours after exercise. So if your brain is sluggish, go for a run or go to the pool.
   • Even light exercise can please your test scores. Studies show that these can make you more alert and energetic, so that your brain is better prepared for tests.
5. Listen to music. No, listening to classical music will not make you smarter, but to listen to music that you enjoy can boost your brain potential by temporarily improving your mental acuity after listening. So if the latest pop hits make you happy, go for it, but if you'd rather listen to melodic, uplifting beats, that's fine too.
   • Actually, the above applies above everything else. Do you have your favorite novel on CD? Listen to it. Everything that your lucky substances evoke in you, also gets the rest of your brain going.
6. Simulate your test environment. It turns out that people are really special creatures: we expect to be able to recall information when we are in a situation similar to the one we first saw it. In other words, did you study in the library for your test, wear purple and indulge yourself with an energy bar? Then take your test in the library, dressed purple and with an energy bar.
   • It's called state and context dependent memory. It is even true if you were to study while drunk (although not recommended)! So if you have access to the location where you will be taking the test, try to study there at the same time of day, with the same food and in the same mood. Yep, mood, too!
7. Eat a good breakfast on the day of the test. You may think that sleeping or studying is your best option, but you have to take care of your body. Studies show that those who had a full breakfast before a test achieved noticeably better test scores. So take ten minutes of your day to refuel, so to speak.
   • We're not talking about a donut here - we mean high-protein foods, such as eggs, oatmeal, or some lean meat and dairy. You need to replenish your blood sugar and give your body some energy to do your best!

Part 3 of 3: Taking the test

1. If you want to do something, at least be well prepared. When you sit down for that test, you shouldn't have to worry about anything. Bring a handful of pencils, pens, erasers, your calculator, some scratch paper - anything you could possibly need and then some more. Not only will being too well prepared will relax you, but when problems arise, you are ready!
   • Have some mints with you. Studies have shown that a hint of peppermint increases your concentration, makes you more alert and gives you that little boost that can just make all the difference. So if you don't know the answer to something, grab a mint and try again.
2. If you don't know the answer, skip the question first. Since your test is time-bound, you certainly don't want to be busy with the clock. Rather than keep the ticking of the clock staring blankly at the question, just skip it. Take whatever you can write them down and work afterwards adapt to the more difficult questions. You will feel more confident and be filled with existing knowledge, which will make the rest a little easier.
   • When you've answered all the easy questions, go for the ones that get the most points. If you fail to answer a question worth 10% of your grade, there is little hope for the rest of your test. So if you're in that position, weigh your options.
3. Check your answers carefully. If there's a chance you missed a question, misinterpreted a question, or just filled in the wrong circle, you know you will be able to correct it by checking and re-checking your answers (provided you have the time for that, of course). Also, remember to consider the most important thing of all - did you write your name down?
   • Avoid the temptation to change your answers. Often your first idea is the right one. If you are checking your answers and want to change, only do so if you have had a revelation that you had forgotten.
4. Stay positive. You know the idea of ​​pretending until you can? This is especially true for tests. Positive thinking and being confident can actually help you do better - perhaps because it keeps you relaxed (and being relaxed helps you think). Walk in there with your head held high so that you are the same way outwards can walk.
   • It turns out that confidence is an important part of the game. If you rely on your memory, it will become stronger and more concrete. So be confident in your thoughts! The more you trust it, the more it can reward you with the correct answers. In case you didn't know, your brain is pretty phenomenal!

Tips

• Study long term, not just a day or two in advance. The more you spread it out, the easier it is on your brain. So get the periodic table and do one row this week, the next row a week later, and so on, and so on.
• Make sure you eat healthy before a test or exam. This will make you feel energized while taking the test.

Warnings

• Blocks makes no sense. You will only feel tired and nervous during the test, which will make your score worse.