Exams are right around the corner. Here are some study tips that can help you prepare!

Create mental associations

This is a great technique for visual learners. Creating acronyms for terms will help you pick out key words and can even utilize your visual memory. Another tip from Psychology Today says to create associations between content and things you already know. Being able to think of real-life examples should help you remember your notes.

Speak out loud when studying instead of just reading

Students retain approximately 10% of the information they have read, and 50% of information they’ve learned from engaging in group discussion.(D’Soua, n.d).If you are tight for time, try repeating material out loud rather than just reading. You’ll spend more time thinking about what you are studying by repeating it out loud rather than reading it and moving on.

Turn your cellphone off (or have it out of sight)

Having your phone within eye vision is distracting, even if you are not using it. Try putting it across the room or somewhere out of sight so that you can focus all of your attention on studying. You can use your phone as a reward system if you’ve reached your study goals.

Give yourself enough time to study

Students are often stressed from exams because they do not give themselves enough time to study. If you know that you have a lot of deadlines coming up before the exam period begins, make your notes ahead of time. This way, your notes will already be made by the time exams roll around, and all you have to do is study them!

Break up studying into sessions

Experts recommend studying in chunks while taking small breaks. It reduces cognitive load and makes the material easier to process.

Use incentive rewards

This is a great way to break up your time and give yourself many short breaks. Set mini goals for yourself. For example, complete one chapter of studying and look at your phone or take a 20 min break. It will give your mind some time to absorb the information you’ve just learned.

Utilize the Peer Tutor Centre

Mohawk Tuition covers 3 free hours a week of the Peer Tutoring Centre. Take advantage of this service. If you’re having trouble in a course, book a session at the Peer Tutoring Centre before your final.

Organize a group study session before your exam

As previously mentioned, 50% of information students retain comes from group study sessions. 90% of information retained comes from teaching others. It’s suggested you try and learn the material individually and review with a group of people before your final.

Meditate if you’re feeling overwhelmed

If you are feeling overwhelmed or becoming frustrated with studying, take 10 minutes to meditate. Meditation controls anxiety and helps to reduce stress, while also lengthening attention span. (Thorpe, 2017). This will get you back on track with studying in no time.

Written by: Olivia Santucci

Student Digital Content Writer