It is commonly known that exam week is one of the most stress-filled weeks for high school students. Whether it is last-minute cramming unfinished study guides into your schedule or trying to search for effective study methods, it is difficult to discover the most suitable techniques for yourself. As a student who enjoys the aesthetic of studying, these are some of my favorite ways to engage myself in learning, so I can best prepare for these mid-year exams.
To begin, I record a time-lapse of myself studying. Doing this allows me to go the entirety of the study session without picking up my phone since that would require me to end the feed. Therefore, I do not get distracted by social media, one of the most dangerous threats to students. It also motivates me to make a satisfying video that I can later post on my TikTok account. Overall, this method provides a simple way to divert your attention from your device and maintain a strong focus.
Another method I use is playing a TV show I have already seen as background noise to cover the static noise of silence. This technique may only work for some, especially if you are a person who is easily distracted. However, this keeps my brain focused because there is also something behind me that is an escape from boredom with studying. It works best if you choose a less eventful TV show; that way, you are protected from your attention being robbed.
Quizlets or Kahoots can also be a beneficial way to study for various classes. This is because you are already studying while making the Kahoot or Quizlet, and then you can play it repeatedly until the words are ingrained in your memory. You can also practice these with your friends in the same classes. That way, it becomes a more fun and humorous environment.
It is important to separate the exams that you know will be the most important and make sure that you are in a productive environment. On certain days, you may have to do more studying than others. So, going to a productive, comfortable area by yourself may just be what you need. However, on days when you have less, you could go out and study with a friend, that way you do not have to worry about the need to constantly be focused.
Finally, I recommend going over previous quizzes that you didn’t do well on, so you don’t make the same mistakes. I especially recommend going over papers from the beginning of the school year because those are topics that you most likely forgot. If you remain confused about the topic, ask a teacher when you can. It would be most beneficial to review the topics before the night before exam day, that way your teachers are available to respond.
Studying does not have to be dreadful. If you know how to go about it correctly, it may even be fun. Due to these tactics, I find myself being able to do over five hours of studying each day during the exam week and even can find myself enjoying it.
