Let’s go down the checklist: 1) Crucial time of the year just before the final examinations – Check. 2) You are a hardworking and motivated student who wants to do your best – Check. 3) You know you won’t do your best unless you study – Check.
So, that means you are going to have to study as much as you possibly can, correct? Not quite. While you are certainly going to have to put in the hours to study if you are to be at your most prepared, the risk of over-studying and burning out is also a very real possibility that you have to guard against.
Over-exerting yourself in the lead-up to your examinations is counter-productive and unnecessary, as your mental health should always take priority over your grades. In other words, you have to make sure that you are both studying hard and studying smart.
Here are 5 effective tips from us at The Learning Lab that will help you to strike the optimal balance.
1. Keep your study environment free of distractions
Everyone’s mental energy is limited, and you are no exception. The principle is straightforward: you are putting yourself in the best position to succeed and to avoid burn-out if all your mental energy is going towards studying and nothing else.
Concentrating while being surrounded by potential distractions such as your phone, computer, TV or Internet connection is possible, but why would you want to needlessly expend precious willpower when you can simply put them away instead?
Distractions also go beyond your electronic devices. In this age of work from home, the chances are that there will be more family members at home doing their own thing and making noise than you are used to.
Ask for the understanding of your parents or siblings, and make sure they are aware of when you are studying hard (more on study schedules later) so you do not have your concentration broken by well-meaning family members asking if you would like, for example, a glass of water.
Your parents should be happy to cooperate: they’ve probably been hoping that you disturb them less when they are working!
2. Be an active learner
As we have mentioned, studying hard has to be coupled with studying smart for the best results. And learning actively is a big part of studying smart. Passive learning involves simply taking notes, reading, and not critically evaluating the information presented.
Active learning, on the other hand, involves discussion and analysis. Consider studying with others and having a discussion about the material instead of simply sitting at a desk by yourself going over your notes and past assignments.
You can do this with your friends and classmates, but also with your teachers at The Learning Lab.
The active style of learning ensures that you understand the material for your various subjects completely and helps you retain the information better too, as you are reinforcing what you have learnt with each discussion.
Varying your study habits will also help you study harder and for a longer period of time.
3. Come up with a schedule and stick to it
One of the key ingredients to being able to properly pace yourself during your exam preparation is to have a well-balanced schedule spread out across the whole of Term 4.
A well-balanced schedule will help you ensure that you are allocating sufficient study time for all your subjects, and not consigning yourself to putting in mad rushes just before the respective exams for each subject.
Planning out your schedule ahead of time will also help you put aside slightly more time to focus on the subjects you are weaker in or need more practice for. Your schedule should be flexible enough to allow you to opt for different alternatives as and when circumstances require, and so you do not feel hemmed in and stuck in a rut.
At the same time, your schedule also ensures that you do not ease off too much and waste precious time. If you are unsure about how to come up with a good schedule, your TLL teachers will be more than happy to help you out as well.
4. Take regular breaks, daily and weekly
Your schedule should also include time for regular breaks, which are probably the most important non-studying component of your exam preparation.
Breaks help you decompress from the grind of intense studying and provide a valuable change of pace.
And just as there are different ways to study, so are there different ways of taking breaks.
The first kind are the small breaks you take everyday and multiple times across a single study session. Stand up, do a few stretches, go for a short walk or just get that glass of water for yourself.
Working adults have a lunch hour, and you should remember to set aside some time for meals too, instead of just eating as you study.
The second kind are longer breaks, perhaps for a half a day or a full day, that become more important for you as you head into the last week or so before your final exams.
Part of studying smart involves knowing when to rest, and how to rest properly. At the juncture when you are at your most stressed and tired, spending a day just doing what you love doing most can help you enter the exam period in the best frame of mind.
5. Stay connected with family and friends
Finally, don’t forget to stay connected with the people most important to you. Your support network is there for a reason, and will be vital in providing you the emotional support and listening ears as you power through this trying stretch.
Reach out to them constantly, especially when you are feeling stressed and anxious, but also when you feel you are otherwise ok.
There’s nothing like a chorus of encouragement from your loved ones to put life into perspective and give you the motivation to excel.
Helping You Establish the Right Balance for the Final Stretch
With your final examinations looming, it can be all too easy to get yourself caught up in a gruelling study regimen and headed towards the dreaded burn-out.
But hard work and dedication can and should go hand in hand with taking regular breaks and rest, all for the sake of your mental well-being.
At The Learning Lab, we believe in helping our students strike a precise balance with a variety of learning methods and exam techniques applied judiciously and tailored for each individual.
Click here to find out more about how we can impart effective exam strategies to see you through the final hurdle of this academic year.
The Learning Lab is now at 9 locations. Find a location that suits your needs.
If you have any questions about our range of programmes or class schedules, you may contact us at 6733 8711 or drop us an email at enquiry@thelearninglab.com.sg.
The Learning Lab is now at 9 locations. Find a location that suits your needs.
If you have any questions about our programmes, please email us at enquiry@thelearninglab.com.sg or call us at 6733 8711 and we will be happy to assist you.