How to Create a Study Schedule for Your Exams
As we write this, semester end exams are right around the corner for most students… and here right now for others.
So in this post, we are going to talk about how to create an effective study schedule for exams. Hopefully by using these principles when creating your schedule, you’ll give yourself the best chance of meeting all your challenges while mitigating your knowledge gaps, time constraints, and other limitations.
With that said, let’s go through all the essential steps.
1. Know When Your Tests Are
The first and most important step is to know when are your tests to make a proper study schedule and ace the exam. Showing up an hour late to an empty classroom might be the easiest way to fail that exam.
Find out the schedule of the tests through the college website, notice board, emailing/contacting your professors or asking your friends.
2. Arm Yourself with as Much Knowledge as Possible
Before you create your schedule, know as much as possible about the test. Make sure you find out: - Format– multiple-choice, fill in the blanks, essay or question and answer type etc - Syllabus– What material will be covered – the number of chapters etc - Marks– How many marks is the exam for – how much weightage does it carry to your final grade
Also be aware of any projects and assignments you might need to finish and submit before the exam.
Next,
get your hands on all the materials you need for effective studying:
syllabi
textbooks
study guides
class notes
previous year question papers / sample papers
3. Prioritise Your Tests
After you gathered all the material and reviewed the test format and syllabus, it’s time to prioritise your tests so you’ll know how much to study each subject, and what order to study them in. Factors to keep in mind whilst prioritising:
The order of the exams.
Your situation in that particular class. For example, if you are acing Chemistry with lots of A grades and slightly slacking in Math, you might want to prioritise Math over the former.
The gaps in between any two exams.
and finally...
4. Create Your Schedule
Before you even begin to think about the process of studying, you must develop a schedule. If you don't have a schedule or plan for studying, then you will not have any way of allocating your valuable time when the unexpected comes up.
Pay attention to your body’s energy levels throughout the day. Some people have high energy levels in the morning; if that’s you, try scheduling your hardest study session early. If your energy comes at night, though, study later on and don’t try to force yourself to wake up early.
Additionally, your brain’s ability to work effectively starts to diminish after 25-30 minutes (on average, and not always). Keeping these limitations in mind, you’ll study most effectively by planning to achieve something in a limited amount of time. Use a timer to break down work into intervals, traditionally 25 minutes in length, separated by short breaks.
Recreational activities are also important along with studies. So identify the gaps in your study schedule and include your meals, tasks, errands and other small activities. Don’t forget to live your life just because exams are around the corner.