Some people can absorb information by reading it repeatedly, but this isn’t a universal experience. To study effectively, you first must find out how you best absorb information. Try experimenting with different methods, like drawing out charts, listening to the content, using flashcards, or even phrases to remember a ruleset. Find something that you find most efficient for you. Don’t forget that everyone has their own way of learning. 

People commonly associate spending many hours studying with “good” studying, but this isn’t the best way for everyone. Instead of reviewing for four or five hours at a time the night before the test, consider half an hour to an hour a day while the information is still fresh in your mind. Try treating studying more like homework, reviewing a lesson a day, rather than trying to cram all of it at once. That way, you have less to worry about the night before a test and have the opportunity to consult with a teacher in an appropriate time frame. 

To offset the consequences of  procrastination it may help if you collaborate with a friend and create more due dates, chunking the tasks to make your timeline more manageable. This limits your opportunity to waste time. These strategies may vary depending on the subject area. For example, a math lesson will have more straightforward problems to study, while an English lesson may require practice prompts discussed in class. It’s also worth paying attention to how much time it takes for you to complete different types of questions. If you can solve one style of problem in two minutes, but it takes fifteen minutes for another that’s just as complicated, then  it’s a good idea to find out what makes one problem easier to solve than the other.

A common problem I encountered in my grade 9 and 10 years was the difference between practice and the test itself. Why did it seem so easy when I was working at home and then a hundred times more difficult to focus the moment I stepped into the classroom? When studying, it’s optimal to try to simulate the test, so you’re prepared for more than just content. It’s best not to study in complete silence or with too much background noise because these are two extremes that generally don’t occur during a test.

You can also do the opposite and try to take steps to make writing a test feel more like regular work. For example, you can use the same materials (pencils, pens, erasers) that you do at home, familiarizing yourself with multiple different aspects of the testing experience.

By tailoring your methods of study to your own preferences, setting appropriate time frames, and building familiarity with a test environment, you can spend less time worrying and more time working towards better results. 

Citations: Simon Fraser University Click to learn more!