The University of Ottawa’s Guide to… Cramming Tips
It’s Tuesday afternoon and you have an exam Wednesday morning. You had a crazy weekend and spent Monday recuperating from your lack of sleep and now it’s time to try and learn 7 weeks worth of material in one night. Here are some tips to effectively retain information while cramming without overwhelming your brain.
1. Free yourself from distractions: Although most students believe they are capable of multitasking the fact of matter is your brain cannot do that. When you are texting, listening to music, watching television and trying to study all at the same time, your brain is quickly switching back and forth between tasks and not focusing all its energy on studying. So turn off the TV, log out of facebook, hide your cell and get in some serious one-on-one time with your study notes.
2. Highlight major ideas: Since you have less than 24 hours to go through all your notes, knowing all the material the professor ever covered is unrealistic. Try to stick to the major ideas discussed in class as well as in your textbook and be certain to understand them as these theories will often show up on your exam once or twice.
3. Find an awesome study spot: Studying at home can be comfortable and convenient, but can also be full of distractions such as roommates, your bed and the fridge. Pack up your study equipment and find a quiet spot on campus. This does not mean you have to limit your studying to the Library. Most buildings on campus have study areas that are quiet, comfortable and distraction free. Some good spots include Desmarais’ study tables on the second floor or SITE’s various study areas and do not forget to check out the second floor of the new Social Sciences building!
4. Grab a Study-Buddy: Studying with a friend from your class or with a study group is an easy way to make the most of your time. You can clarify concepts you are not quite grasping, talk about examples used in class and compare study notes. It is also a great opportunity to quiz each other and practice information recall, which is an important part to memorize the material learned.
5. Get loads of Zzzzs: Although it can be tempting to try and pull an all-nighter in order to get everything done, sleep is very important for your short-term/working memory. Without enough sleep your prefrontal cortex does not function properly and recalling information when writing your exam may be tough. So be sure to factor at least 7 hours of rest into your study plan.
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