We’re well into the fall semester, and that can only mean one thing: exams. The first round of exams can be scary for everyone, especially if you’ve never experienced taking a true college test, but they don’t have to be overwhelming if you don’t let them. Here are some tips for preparing for your exams, whether you’re planning weeks ahead or cramming the night before.
1. Go to class
You’re probably sick of hearing it by now, but attending lectures is the best way to understand the material and figure out what you’ll need to know for your test. If you have to miss, at least be sure you have a way to get the notes. Some professors will give away answers to exam questions, which is a good way to get some free points. I’ve even had a professor who gave students who attended the lecture after the test bonus points for coming (which was on a Friday, so it was even harder to convince myself to go).
2. Keep up with the readings
If you’re taking a class that relies heavily on outside reading, try your best to keep up with the pace. Sometimes, you have other assignments to focus on, and it’s easy to let reading fall by the wayside, but it will come back to haunt you. Pop quizzes and reading checks aren’t as common as one might think, but they do exist, and it’s better to be prepared for it. Plus, professors are known for putting questions on the exams from the reading. Besides being a bit time consuming, reading isn’t that hard. Just do it.
3. Ask for help
If you’re in an upper-level math class that just seems to be going right over your head, you are allowed to visit your professor or TAs if you need help. Professors often seem disconnected from their classes because they might never know your name and all they do is talk at you for an hour three times a week, but trust me, most of them love helping students. Use your email, set up a time, and take 30 minutes to meet with someone. Your professor is your best resource if you need help. No one knows that material better than him or her.
4. Use a spiral
In some classes, your professor may lecture too quickly for this to be possible, but if you’re able, it’s much better to write your notes down than to bring your laptop to class. Not only is the Internet a HUGE distraction, but writing down what you’re hearing allows you to retain the information better.
5. Plan to cram
Well, not everyone needs to do this, but if you’re a procrastinator, then you need to be ready for it. During exam-heavy weeks, be prepared to find a place other than the library to study, especially around midterms and finals. If you know you have other assignments due the same day, get them done early so you can focus on studying. And lastly, make sure you have everything you need before you sit down to study. Nothing will kill your focus faster than having to stop and get a notebook that you forgot.
6. Eat!
Another tip we’re all tired of hearing, but still an important one. Eat a meal, or at least a snack, before going into your test so you can completely focus on what’s in front of you, not how loud your stomach is. If you’re a coffee drinker and you’re allowed to, bring a cup into the test with you. I’ll admit that on bad days, I’ve felt myself dozing off a few times in the middle of an exam. It’ll keep you alert (just don’t do this if you’re prone to getting nervous — the caffeine will only make it worse).
7. Don’t freak out
A lot of people have test anxiety, and when your GPA is this important, it’s completely reasonable. I heard somewhere that the students who received the highest test scores were the ones who stressed a little, but not too much. They weren’t completely relaxed, but they weren’t tearing their hair out. But whether this is true or not, you need to manage your stress in healthy ways. If you’re freaking out while you’re studying and feeling overwhelmed, take a break. Go for a run, listen to music, or just close your eyes. Keep your stress levels down and remember: it’s only a test.
I can’t guarantee you that following these tips will give you straight A’s, but I can tell you they’ll help, at least. If all else fails and you’re having a terrible week, remind yourself that it’s just one exam. Most classes will give you enough assignments to help you keep your grade up and remedy one bad exam. One low grade won’t ruin your entire college career.