The Importance of Preparation, and Study Breaks

So its that time again, the end of semester whirlwind of tests, exams, and whatever other forms of assessment your respective professors can throw at you :)

This time of year always give me reason to reflect on and examine my own study techniques. Over the years I have perfected a few methods, from very good and proper preparation, to all night cram sessions, to "ill just take the test and see what happens". In no way are all of these methods valid, but I have worked hard at getting towards the first, proper preparation method....

I have found the most important thing when preparing for an exam, as I am at the moment, is to start early, make sure you aren't too far behind, and take study breaks!

Preparation is of the utmost importance, it greatly reduces your stress come exam day, it increases your confidence in your abilites, and you really need it to pass. Even though you may scratch by a few years worth of class based solely on natural ability, it eventually catches you. Trust me.

So, for example, make sure you look at what you need to study well enough in advance that you can figure you a timeline for study, one that is most importantly, REASONABLE!

yes you could probably stay up for 48 hours and do nothing but study, but life has a funny way of introducing really awesome distractions when you least need them.... I.e. when you are trying to study!

Secondly, make sure you study with the purpose of the EXAM/test in mind. If the teacher is kind enough to tell you what is being covered, don't focus on the other bits!

Last, take a few study breaks. Apparently the brain doesn't like to learn for more than an hour max at a time, so in keeping with the whole proper preparation thing, make sure you take a break! this could be a walk around the block, or some facebook time, or to watch a tv show, or do some pushups... whatever it is, you need it, especially if your are planning to be at it for a while, as the tendency to burn out and give up after a day of straight study is near impossible to avoid.

Lastly, you could also do what I like to occasionally do, and look at funny pictures.

Exhibit A below

One more suggestion, get a blog, as a nice hour break to plan and write a blog, and find a good picture to match, is both a good study break and productive! Trust me on this one, I speak from experience.

Good luck!

:)