Plan Your Studies

How much time do you have to invest in exam preparation and over how many days is that time spread? A student studying two hours each day for five days is in a different situation from a student studying ten hours the night before, although they are both investing the same amount of time. The second student will become fatigued, overloaded and stressed more easily, he or she will not have opportunities to consult with a tutor in problem areas as they arise. Breaking the work down into manageable pieces and spreading it over several days makes good sense and will help you to manage your studies more effectively.

Steps

Setting Up for Studying

  1. Choose a good location to study. This place should be clean, quiet, well-lit, a cool temperature and away from all distractions, such as friends , television or the computer.
    • Studying in a place similar to your exam environment might make you more comfortable during the test itself, as familiarity will help to reduce the fearsome feeling of testing.
    • Always be certain to take everything with you that you will need to work, including books, lecture notes, past assignments, pens and pencils.

Making a Study Plan

  1. Calculate the actual number of hours available in a day for studies. This is possible, if you list down all the activities you are performing from the time you wake up to the time you go to sleep. List the activity done in each slot of 30 minutes.Thus, arrive at the total number of hours available for studies. Work out the time available during week days as well as weekends.
  2. Identify the levels of difficulty in understanding of all the subjects you are studying. Make the list of the subjects with descending order of time.
  3. Allocate your available time for studies properly depending on the levels of difficulty. Make separate list for week days and weekends.
    • Wastage of time should be minimum and maximum time should be used for studies. Eliminate/minimize any wastage of time. Keep around 30 or 60 minutes in week days for entertainment, sports and games etc.,which are not productive.
  4. Include revision time as well as new learning. Revise the previous lessons. Redo past assignment problems and sample problems from the text, noting how techniques are used. If you cannot explain the reasoning behind a mathematical process, then you likely don't understand it fully.
  5. Prepare a timetable/plan for studies as per above guidelines. Be honest in doing the planned work.

Studying According to the Plan

  1. Stay on the plan. If you become stuck on a problem, clarify it .(You may take the help of your tutor).You might go over your allotted time and need to schedule more time for later. This is fine; your study plan is just a guideline, not an absolute. Catch up as soon as possible, and continue as planned.
  2. Memorize major concepts. As you study, jot down items that you need to memorize and carry the list with you throughout the day. Review this material when you are caught standing in line or with time to spare between classes.
  3. Selectively review your texts. Do not re-read your textbook; you have already done it once and to do so again would overload you. Review sections you have highlighted(underlined), any notes you made in the margins, formulae, definitions and chapter summaries.
  4. Study in a chronological order. Begin your studies with the material from the first class and move forward in chronological order, spending only small amounts of time in low priority areas and more time in higher priority areas. This review will give you a stronger basis from which to master the more important material when you get to it. If you choose to study in chronological order, be careful to pace yourself so that you do not leave a critical study part to do the night before the exam
  5. Monitor the work you have done. Check for anything you might have missed.

Tips

  • It’s also a good idea to keep some spare paper next to you while you’re studying so if you think of anything you need to do later you can write it down and put it out of your mind, then get on with the studying
  • Before all this prepare a schedule which meets your needs.
  • Planning more than one week in advance is ideal, especially when you have more than one exam to juggle.
  • Be sincere in studying.
  • Work hard.
  • Do your best to achieve your goal.
  • Learn things by heart with full concentration will help you study better.

Warnings

  • Work as per your maximum capacity.
  • Take care of your health by exercising daily and having a nutritious meal every day.
  • Don't over-stress.

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