Time management

Exams often have a limited preparation period, and managing this time is crucial, dividing it more effectively between different activities. By organising study sessions, setting priorities, and adhering to schedules, you can ensure they cover all necessary material without feeling overwhelmed or rushed. Effective time management enables you to break down study tasks into manageable chunks, which helps maintain focus and reduce procrastination. It also facilitates regular review and practice, enhancing retention and understanding.

Active learning

Active learning is an approach in which you engage directly with the material, such as summarising, teaching others, and self-testing. It is the opposite to passive learning methods that involve merely reading or listening and has been proven to be the most effective way of learning material.

Memory techniques such as flashcards and spaced repetition optimise learning by improving recall and consolidating information into long-term memory. By actively participating in the learning process and employing these techniques, you gain a deeper understanding of the material and develop stronger cognitive connections, making retrieving and applying knowledge during exams easier. This boosts confidence and fosters critical thinking skills so you can tackle complex problems with greater ease and efficiency.

Note-taking

Note-taking enhances comprehension, retention, and organisation of information, but the key is not to rewrite notes to help memorise the content. Instead, actively engage with course material by summarising key points, highlighting concepts, or jotting down questions. In this way, you reinforce understanding and memory retrieval.

Organisation skills

A well-organised study schedule can improve your confidence and reduce exam-related stress. When organised, you can create structured study plans, allocate adequate time to cover each topic thoroughly and avoid the last-minute rush that often leads to stress and poor performance. Organisational skills also help prioritise study materials, break down complex subjects into manageable parts, and maintain a clear overview of what needs to be covered. Additionally, well-organised study notes and resources facilitate quick review sessions, essential for reinforcing learning and building confidence before exams.

Healthy habits

Creating healthy habits helps you in exams by optimising your physical and mental well-being.

• Regular exercise boosts your mood and improves circulation and oxygen flow to the brain, enhancing cognitive function and memory retention

• A balanced diet provides essential nutrients that support brain function and sustain energy levels throughout long study sessions and exams

• Sufficient sleep is vital for consolidating learning and ensuring alertness

Additionally, habits like effective time management and stress-reducing activities such as meditation or hobbies help maintain focus and reduce anxiety, promoting clearer thinking and better decision-making under pressure.

Research skills

Research skills enable you to deepen your understanding of the subject matter beyond what is covered in class materials alone. Effective research allows you to access a wider range of resources which can provide alternative perspectives, additional examples, and more detailed explanations that enhance comprehension and critical thinking. Developing research skills fosters the ability to evaluate sources for reliability and relevance, ensuring that the information used in studying is accurate and applicable.