With February coming to an end and March fast approaching, you probably only have two things on your mind. Spring Break and Midterm Exams. Unfortunately, exams come before Spring Break, so you have to put the fun aside to study a little bit.
Exams make up the majority of your grades in a class, so it makes sense that you should spend a great deal of time preparing for them. Here are some study tips to help you excel on your exams.
Start Preparing ASAP
As soon as you get your exam study guide, round up all of your old notes, tests, and quizzes and start studying. For many students, procrastination sets in, and before they know it it’s the night before the exam and they’re not prepared. Don’t let this happen to you. Look over your notes each day after class instead. It is probably the most effective way to prepare for exams, and will help you avoid marathon study sessions.
Forget the All-Night Cram Sessions
Spending three to four hours straight studying during a marathon study session can be very ineffective. There is only a certain amount of information you can retain in your memory. So chances are, you are going to forget half the material you tried to swallow anyway.
Study in Blocks
This goes along with avoiding long, drawn out study sessions. Instead of reviewing for hours on end, you should break up your studying into sections. A popular method for this is the Pomodoro Technique. Basically, study for about 30 minutes then take a quick break to let your brain recharge. Repeat this system as necessary.
Study With a Group
There is something about studying with a partner or group that helps you remember information more easily. Not only do you learn it when your partner is quizzing you, but you benefit from doing the quizzing as well. If you are unable to meet up with classmates in the library, you could always arrange a study group online using tools like Skype or Facebook.
Review the Morning Before
Of course you shouldn’t only study the morning before; this probably wouldn’t go over so well. However, it is good practice to go over your notes one last time before you head off to that 8am exam. By doing this, the material will be fresh on your mind, and you’ll be ready to go.
Get Started
Now that you have some ideas on how to prepare for your exams, it’s time for you to get started. You don’t have to use all of theses tips to do great on your midterms, but by making a plan and sticking to it, you will definitely see improvements on your test scores. Whether it be studying in blocks, or studying with a partner, find a technique that works for you. Believe me, going into an exam 100% prepared feels a whole lot better than sitting at your desk worrying if you studied enough.
David
Your crazy to support a worthless textbook rental site as Chegg’s. Am ashamed we have a roll tider supporting this company…
Dan Northern
Are you joking? Because from my experience, Chegg has been awesome.
Janet
Chegg has been a godsend for me. I support it 100%.
Janet
Check your spelling and grammer, dude!
Janet
grammar. lol
Denise
Are you really in college? It is you’re. Oh brother.
kassie
you’re is you are.. why would she say check you are spelling?
kassie
oh… and i love chegg too!!
Lea
Look at the context smart one. She got it right the first time.
Bama Momma
You go Dan!!!!! My family supports The Tide. Sad thing, we live in the puke orange state of TENNESSEE! I love Chegg! I am a single parent and my son and I are full time college students. Chegg saves me a lot of cash. Thanks Chegg!! ROLL TIDE ROLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sydney
I think this website is awesome, and I actually found it through chegg. I love chegg, they have saved me hundreds of dollars. So thank you to the both of you!
Dan Northern
Thanks Sydney, I’m glad you like it.
Sam
I definitely agree, Chegg is awesome! I have recommended it to a lot of classmates because it saves us not only money, but space as well. We don’t have to be stuck with our textbooks forever; we ship them back to Chegg since they’re rental.
I love the site, but I do wish for some rental prices to be lower
Sam
P.S. The article rocks by the way, great tips. Procrastination is the worst college life enemy.
mark
I wonder if david knows the diffence between ‘your’ and ‘you are’
Pat
This is my second time renting with Chegg. This is an awesome site with free shipping return. I will allows support Chegg and refer all of my friends and classmates to them. Way to go Chegg. Love the little gifts you add to our boxes- comes in handy ALL the time. Great advertisment! This is the BEST way to get your text books.
Kathy
This is my first time renting from Cheggs and I am very happy with them! They have saved meca lit of money, something I reall appreciate!! Your article is Aldo very good! Great tips!!
Dan Northern
Thanks Kathy!
Kate
Chegg saved me so much money this semester over $100 on one book alone!
Taylor
Although it IS possible to save more buying used and reselling, Chegg provides a guaranteed savings… which is why I find it awesome. Surfing craigslist for hours isn’t something I enjoy doing. Plus, slap bracelets are awesome.
(Btw, just because you’re in college doesn’t mean you’re the world’s professor. Trolling over everyone’s grammar makes you look like a pompous moron.)
Sarah
Dan, you may be the one Alabama fan that I like, because this website rocks and I wish I had found it a few years ago when I started college. Thanks. but still, WAR EAGLE!
Fatima
I agree the tips are great. I’m going to follow them step by step. I procrastinate a lot for that reson i can oly retain some information and dont get the grades that i really want.
thanx for the tips Dan,
chegg its great website to save money!!
Kelsea
Chegg is incredible! Chegg is THE ultimate cure for the burden of buying a textbook. It is especially interesting to be sitting a large lecture spotting orange stickers on the bindings of other students’ textbooks… Chegg is catching on and this is one bandwagon that I am very happy to join
Christina
I love Chegg. It has saved me over hundreds of dollars because my legal books as well as my elective classes do not come cheap even buying them used. It is especially helpful since I am paying for college myself. I wouldn’t change a thing.
And ROLL TIDE ROLL!!
Ashley
Dan, thank you for taking your time to give everyone else study tips. I agree that Chegg has been a wonderful help through school! Don’t worry about the negative comments, some people are impossible to please and can’t give a compliment. The rest of us appreciate what you and Chegg are doing. BTW, the sticky notes are Great advertisement for you, I give one out to people as I tell them about Chegg!
Dan Northern
@Sarah haha Thanks.
@Fatima No problem, I’m glad you find the tips helpful.
@Ashley Thanks for the support.
Billy
Dan, I wish you would title your blog “Methods for Morons!”
Cynthia
Love chegg! This is my second semester renting books and I’ve saved over $200. I am grateful to everyone at chegg for helping students all over the country save so much money. Thanks guys!
Dan, great studying technique; seems valid. I will surely try it since I’m a big procrastinator and honestly, I don’t know how to study! Lame, right? Somehow, I just read a little here and there but have not sat down and have an actual study session. I hope your technique works for me! Thanks so much for taking your time on helping others. We should all appreciate the tips/advices you give us, whether we apply them or not. I will be checking often. Thanks and the best of luck always!!
NateDoGG
Great tips man, I am heavy procrastinator at times and these tips can definitely help me break that cycle. Keep up the good work.
-Nathan
barbara
Hi Dan,
this is my first time renting from Chegg and I am absolutely thrilled with the online rental book program. I was able to rent all my textbooks (chem, anatomy & physiology 2, physics with study guide) for the cost of one textbook. I was so pleased with the service, I have become a Chegg ambassador and have started spreading the word around my campuses (one school, 4 satellite campuses..lol)
Thanks and your tips are very beneficial…I tend to procrastinate when it comes to studying or cram it in over the weekend…lol..Anyways, best of luck
Barbara
Dan Northern
@NateDogg & @ barbara – No problem. I have trouble with procrastination too. Just remember, the hardest part is starting. After the ball is rolling things get much easier.
Brie
I like the tips, they are good!
Skribz
Yo thanks a lot man!!!!
Found this URL on Chegg as well!!!
You’re awesome!!!
P.S thanks for the techniques!!!
Dan Northern
I appreciate it man!