Studying in the run up to exams is horrible; a blur of exhaustion, sweaty hands turning page after page, tired eyes squinting at sheaves of scribbled notes, flashcards, late nights and a growing sense of panic, right? Wrong! Studying does not have to be a chore, and neither does it need to induce panic. Obviously, an important factor in a study/ revision schedule is to begin it as soon as possible, very few people can get away with only studying just before an exam and it is unwise to test the theory on important papers!
By applying these five tips to a study program you are sure to energize your revising, making sure that you get the best out of your studies!
Music
Set the scene for studying by playing music in the background, but not your favourite pop tunes! Classical music has been proved to activate certain areas of the brain, including the happiness centre and the cognitive areas, those areas responsible for thought and understanding.
Increased blood flow to these areas literally inspire us to learn more, draw or paint better and work harder. Mozart in particular has been found to create these beneficial side-effects, so pop on a concerto or two and study better while enjoying his musical genius!
Short and Sweet
Much as physical fitness trainers are finding that short bursts of intense exercise do more good than a long slow session; so too are researchers finding that short, but intense, bursts of studying, followed by periods of relaxation, work better than hours and hours of hitting the books. This way of studying, called spaced presentation, works by imprinting the information in the brain, then allowing time for the understanding to seep in.
This method does not work well immediately before an exam, when ‘cramming’ is shown to have better effects. Cramming allows a person to retain information in the short term, hence cram just before an exam, pass the exam, but then forget the information; whereas ‘spacing’ slowly builds up the information, lodging it in the ‘long-term storage’ area of the brain – much better in the long-run for all students, but especially those learning law or medicine, as it is likely to be information needed once the exams are forgotten!
Bring a Friend
Studying with a friend, or classmate, has been seen to be an effective method of promoting understanding of tricky topics. Saying concepts and ideas out loud can cement them in your understanding, or reveal their flaws, and when studying with a friend, you can bounce ideas and concepts off each other, so that both of you remember the material in a fun and dynamic way. Stage a debate, or quiz-show between yourselves, posing tricky, exam-style questions, and thoroughly debating the answers.
This semi-combative scenario will get your adrenaline flowing, and completely engage your interest, ensuring that any topics discussed will be retained. A friend can also provide motivation on those days when you simply cannot get yourself going.
Power Nap
Many successful businessmen and women admit to taking a 20 to 30 minute power nap in the middle of the day. Research has shown that power naps increase productivity and refresh the brain by allowing it to ‘reset’; almost like rebooting a computer that has been on for too long and has lots of little background programs running! Taking a break, and allowing yourself a few moments of peace and rest can also help information be stored properly in the brain.
Enjoy it!
Passion
Be passionate about and interested in what you are learning. It may be hard to summon up enthusiasm for areas of learning that seem tedious and unnecessary for your future, but do your best to make it fun. Tell yourself (or your friend!) stories about certain facts and figures that you need to learn as this will help your brain to pinpoint the information under exam conditions.
Not many people could recite the entire periodic table deadpan, but a fair number know the ‘Periodic Table Song’ performed to the tune of ‘I am the Very Model of a Modern Major-General’; which is exactly the same information! Bear in mind that your studies are paving the way for a successful future, and if you are passionate about subjects studied for exams, you are more likely to thoroughly enjoy your job, which is important for achieving happiness in life.
Learning is one of the best things that you can do; understanding removes barriers, inspires inventions and erases intolerance. Studying should be a reflection of this, a shining light cutting through the gloom of ignorance and dispersing the mists of incomprehension. Teach yourself just one thing: how to enjoy learning – and you will be set for life!
