Every person has his own way of studying to achieve success in exams. Some like studying in the early morning and some like to do late nights. Whatever your method, it is always better to be thoroughly prepared for your exams.
We present before you some steps of effective study and it is our belief that you will definitely benefit from it.
Step 1
Read through all the materials and chapters, including class notes, textbooks and handouts the professor has distributed.
Read carefully, paying special attention to any underlined sections you may have marked. Do not skip any chapter because probably the question carrying maximum marks may come from that chapter.
Step 2
Go through the test questions and question paper sets of previous years.
Mark and write down the most repeated questions. This will give you a general idea of the most important areas that you have to cover. This doesn't mean that you can leave other topics. Try to cover all the chapters.
Step 3
Now that you have the materials in front of you, start making notes. This will be most helpful because if the notes are made by you, you will always remember it and memorizing it will not be a problem.
Generate questions and write down their answers. Exam questions often ask you to think about a topic in several ways, and you have to be prepared for all the possible questions in all possible forms.
Step 4
The next step is reciting and recalling. This is the most important part of studying. You want to memorize as much relevant information as you can, then close the book and recall the main points. Practice recalling important concepts and definitions.
Keep doing this everyday so that you don't forget what you have read. At the end of the day sit in your room, close your eyes and then try to summarize what you have studied the whole day.
Step 5
The last step is going back and reviewing the whole study material, all the topics and all the important sections. This helps to fix the information in your long-term memory.
Now, you should be able to answer all the questions you are asked. If you can't, review again. Make sure you understand the concepts, and not just blindly memorize names and details. Try to understand the logic behind it and you will not face any difficulties anymore.
Apart from these important steps here are a few general tips that will help you in your study strategy:
Get All the Relevant Information
Get all the information you can about the test before you study. Be it a class or competitive test, you should know how specific the test will be. Thus, be prepared and know what to expect.
Review Habitually
It's a good idea to review your class notes right after you've written them and then again, just before the next class. Make sure you understand the concepts properly. This way you will be ready with the topic and if you have any difficulty you can approach the professor right away.
Exam Review
Start studying for the exam early. Don't study at the last minute because then you are bound to miss out on many topics. If you have a large amount of material to cover, try dividing it into smaller chunks and start studying the most difficult sections first.
Go over that material just before the test, so it's fresh in your mind. To fix it in your memory, practice recalling the information aloud or try explaining it to someone else.
Take Proper Rest
Generally, it's not advisable to stay up all night. Learning diminishes with fatigue and you'll think more clearly if you're rested properly. If you do stay up late, give yourself frequent breaks to keep your mind alert. Study hard, but don't kill yourself.
Chill out
Don't exert yourself too much. Excessive anxiety will reduce your ability to think clearly. Get to your class early and use those minutes to unwind. Chances are, if you have given yourself adequate preparation, you'll feel better about the test before you take it.