It is not possible for most of us to get through our studies without active learning effort. The opposite is the case: the learning load during the course is enormous. Just lying around lazily won’t get you anywhere. The exam phase is the most stressful time of the semester. But there are ways and means to deal with stress and pressure, to reduce it, and thus get the best out of the exam phase. These tips for a stress-reduced and effective exam phase will help you.
Plan Your Exam Preparation
You have probably heard many times that you should start studying early and that you definitely need to create a study plan. Good planning is really important and worth it.
It is important that you plan realistically and clearly. Take a look at when you write which exam and create an overview. Then look through the learning materials, lay them out, and think about how much time you need to prepare for the individual exams.
Make a timetable for the entire exam phase. Ask yourself: When do I learn what? A realistic learning plan takes a lot of pressure off you! And even if you are already in the middle of your exam period, it is not too late to start planning. Just plan the upcoming exams. And don’t forget about other tasks you need to complete, and if you don’t have enough time for everything, be sure you have the “write my paper for me” service ready at hand.
Fixed Time Frame
Learning every day without end? That will not do! Stick to your plan as best you can. Your daily schedule gives you a start time, it contains breaks, and is very important: a fixed end. A fixed start and end time brings structure to your learning day!
You can, for example, orientate yourself to the permanent working population. Your day has eight working hours. Set an alarm for your mornings and then get up when it goes off. A learning phase now follows up the lunch break, just like after the lunch break. These phases can be interrupted by smaller breaks in which you can catch your breath or do something else for a short time.
Stick to a rhythm that’s good for you! Not everyone is an absolute early riser. That’s why your alarm clock doesn’t have to ring at 7 a.m. However, it does not help to laze in bed all day and go to the desk in the evening. Find a good solution for you and set a suitable start and endpoint!
Learn Together
Let others pull you along! In a study group, you can ask questions if you don’t understand something. There is a high chance that someone will be there who knows the answer or that you will find the solution together.
Even if you are the person who knows the answer and explains things to others, learning together benefits you a lot. By speaking out facts, they stick better. A great advantage especially for oral exams! The situation is similar when you ask each other questions. So, if the exam involves reproducing a lot of working through texts, you can, for example, make flashcards and quiz each other.
You can also prepare well together for exams that involve a lot of calculations: take old exams and exercises, set a time, calculate, and then compare. You either benefit from the fact that someone else has the right solution and can explain to you how they got there, or you consolidate your knowledge by explaining the solution to the others. Maybe you can find the right solution together.
Take Breaks
Everyone needs a break sometimes! So, don’t be ashamed to take a study break. It doesn’t matter whether you take the opportunity to take a walk around the block to get some fresh air, do the shopping, or drop off the post.
Sport is also always a good idea, especially after a stressful day of study. This takes your mind off things, clears your head, and keeps you fit at the same time. Breaks are allowed and good for you!
And for those of us who don’t like sports: You can also laze around in between or after learning. Either you spend your time in a classic way with your friends at a barbecue or you click through Facebook and YouTube. Maybe there is also a series that you would like to watch. At the end of each learning day, you watch an episode as a reward.
