Written By: Staff
Contributor | Aston American University
Last minute studying is common for most students. It is also a very common path to failure. There are some crazy myths surrounding the ideas of how to pass exams; like dipping your legs in water for 48 consecutive hours to stay alert – which by the way, is not recommended. So how can you pass exams without bodily harm or a mental breakdown?
Jog your memory. Physical exertion helps pump blood throughout your body. A bit of exercise before studying will pump oxygen into your blood and keeps you feeling rejuvenated so you can absorb more information. But don’t overdo it where you will be too exhausted to even study after.
Drink lots of water. Taking in lots of water helps you stay hydrated and flush out toxins. This clears all parts of your body including your brain. Eating some fruits like apples or blueberries and drinking water keeps your energy levels up and your brain’s cognitive functions working at full capacity.
Relax and rest. Avoiding stressful situations can keep your brain clear of the stress hormone: corticotrophin. Unfortunately, many continue to study after their brains are beyond the peak of their stress curve. It has been shown that taking study breaks and taking a few deep breaths will help keep your brain alert and ready to take in more information. For example, if you plan on studying a total of 4 hours per day, take a 30- or 60-minute break after 2 hours.
Use the power of active recall. This method works by studying a bit then trying to recall what you had just learned. This is different from reading again and again. This goes very well when complemented with flash cards. Here you would move the flash cards with your incorrect answers up in the line and those with your correct answers down. This means you will flash the incorrect cards more and gradually sink in the correct answers. There are flashcard applications you can download to help you practice active recall.
Listen to some tunes. Music engages parts of the brain that helps improve prediction and maintain attention. Listen to classical music from Mozart, Bach or Vivaldi instead of rap music. Music also helps to improve your mood, which can create positive feelings about studying.
Vary the material and technique. Changing scenery and study schedules help avoid boredom. Switch topics that are hard to tackle and read easier topics. Sometimes accomplishing an easier task first helps to build momentum to tackle a harder task. Switching your environment also helps as your senses stay alert for new touch, smell, and visual sights etc.
Reward yourself. Having a treat to whatever satisfies you each time you complete a study section encourages you to study more and keeps you motivated. This learning process is the Pavlovian conditioning at work. It has worked well over time for many animals including humans.
