DRUNK ON CAFFEINE

SCHOOL LIFE

DRUNK

ON CAFFEINE

JESUSA MAE SUMAOANG

Isighed as I took my glasses off, and leaned back on my chair. I took my mug and took a sip of my coffee. I looked at all the notes on my study table, and sighed once again. I’ve been reviewing for my upcoming exams since 7 in the evening. I checked the time on my phone, only to find out its already almost midnight. My routine has always been like this whenever my exam week is ongoing. I always have my earphones plugged in, and music blasting on my ears. Of course, a cup of coffee is a must for me. I have to be loaded with caffeine if I want to cover everything for the exams. But of course, the same study technique may not be effective for everyone, so here are some reviewing tips that you might want to try in preparation for your exams.

Attend all your classes and listen carefully during discussions. Be sure to attend and listen well to your class. Take notes too. The purpose of this is for you to understand the lesson better, and to effectively recall them once you take your exam. Do a group study session. Having someone to compare your notes with can help you understand what you are reviewing better. Your partner can also help you keep going and motivated. Utilize office hours to your advantage. If there’s a part of the discussion that you really can’t get, it’s best to ask your professor for help. This could help establish a bond with your professor, at the same time, it will help you to get a better grasp of what you’re reviewing. Make flashcards. In order to digest the lesson better, and to retain it in your memory, write the gist and keywords of the lesson in a flashcard. This will help you assess what you already remember through giving yourself a quiz without other’s help. Secure a good review or study environment. The best study spot is a library, if you want to review peacefully. A cafe is a good spot too, especially if you prefer to have coffee while reviewing. Having a good environment for studying helps you focus better. Shuffle the subjects you’re reviewing. Don’t stick to one subject only, because this could cause you to have study fatigue. Switch to another subject after reviewing for 30 minutes. This will also help your brain rest from the previous subject you were reviewing. Do advance study. Cramming for an exam is not that much suggested, since it could put unnecessary stress on you. And according to the Ebbinghaus Forgetting Curve Principle, we tend to forget 70% of what we had learned within 24 hours. So it’s suggested that you go over your notes every now and then. This will allow you to have ample time to remember all concepts and other stuff about your lesson. Visualize your lesson. Highlight only the keywords and concepts. If you don’t prefer the traditional written notes, you can opt to use charts, mind maps, diagrams, or outlines in bullet form. Look for a tutor. If you’re having difficulty reviewing alone, you might want to find a tutor. It can be a fellow student, or a professor. Understand, not just memorize. There are types of exams that require you to put your understanding of the lesson. Exams, especially in college, mostly test your understanding, not just your memorization skills. By understanding, this allows you to answer situational exam questions better through incorporating the various concepts you learned. Attend review sessions. If your professor offers a pre-test review session, it’s suggested that you attend it. This will allow you to learn the format of the exam, as well as the key topics that may appear in the exam. Keep your focus. Be on track, and avoid all possible distractions when you’re reviewing. You can try listening to instrumental of lofi study playlist to help you focus on what you’re reviewing. Give yourself a break every now and then. According to Oxford Learning, for every 30 minutes of studying, it’s suggested to take 10-15 minutes of break. Short study sessions are found to be more effective, and it will also aid you to make the most of your review session. Look after yourself well. Rather than munching junk foods while reviewing or preparing for exams, brain foods like peanuts, vegetables, and fresh fruits is more recommended. Pulling an all-nighter is not that suggested. Give yourself enough good night rest. Go at your own pace. Cramming can lead you to become anxious and be burned out. Pace yourself and split your lesson into smaller bits for you to digest it better. Choose and take the best approach. Various types of exams require a certain study approach. For multiple choice type of exam, you should focus on the important terms and definitions. For essay type, you should understand the concepts and learn how to incorporate them. It’s suggested that you ask your professor for the type of exam, so you’ll be aware of what to expect, and the approach to use. Learn through teaching others. By explaining and discussing what you learned to others, it helps you to know whether you’ve fully understood the lesson or not. Do wordplays. Using acronyms when reviewing allows you to memorize things easier in a fun way. Assess yourself. Once you know the exam format, you can try giving yourself a quiz by using the format of the exam, so as to prepare yourself better for the real deal. Lastly, give yourself the reward you deserve. It’s not bad to spoil yourself a little after working hard. Get some snacks, or binge-watch your fave series/ films to help yourself relax for a moment. Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today. They say that taking an exam is like going to a battlefield. You need to be wellequipped and well-prepared if you want to make it out in one piece. It’s better to be prepared than to be caught off guard.

Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.