With the fall semester well under way, students’ course loads are picking up the pace. As such, stress can start to rise, especially when it comes to exams. I know exams are a big source of anxiety for me, and it can be difficult to know what study techniques work for me and my classes. Here are some study methods that I use that help me ace my exams.
1. Play pretend.
act like you’re the professor and you’re lecturing a classroom.
This might seem a little odd, but this is one of my top study methods. I use the presentations my professors put up on Canvas from lectures and talk out loud as if I was talking to a classroom. I also make up questions for myself to answer. It forces you to interact with the information given to you by your professor so you’re not reading it passively. I’ve noticed that it really helps my memory retention and it helps me make sure that I don’t miss any topics.
2. Rewrite your notes.
This method is a little tedious, so I wouldn’t do this if you’re cramming, but it’s extremely helpful. Rewriting your notes not only helps you reread and process the information; it can also help spark new questions and get information down that you might’ve missed in class. I enjoy camping out in the library and using the whiteboard to rewrite my notes so I can save paper.
3. Quizlet!
Quizlet is my holy grail study website. I love the Quizlet “Learn” function since it forces you to look at what you’ve gotten wrong and it won’t let you move on until you get the concept right. It’s free and since they have an app, you can study anywhere. I like to use Quizlet as a last-minute refresher right before an exam.
Remember, what works for me might not work for you and that’s okay! There are plenty more study methods besides the ones I’ve listed, and one is bound to work for you! I hope these tips can help you on your exams and in classes generally.
Good luck!