18 life hacks to help you pass any exam
Forming How To Proceed / / December 29, 2020
A few weeks before the exam
1. Create mind diagrams
They are association maps or thought maps. This is the name of the recording of some information in the form of a diagram. For example, "Unions" - "Writing unions" - "Connecting unions" - "and, yes, no, no, too, also." This will help structure and visualize knowledge, remember a large amount of information or terms that do not settle in your head. The resulting cheat sheets can be placed or hung in a prominent place to periodically review the material.
2. Develop a class schedule
Decide in advance how many hours you will study per day, which days will be study days, and which will be days off. To keep track of your schedule easier, print the calendar. Mark completed classes in it with a certain sign, for example, a cross. It will be a kind of habit tracker.
3. Use a reward system
Reward yourself with a little something for every paragraph you read or practice testing you take. A gummy, apple, episode of a TV show, or something else that makes you happy. This will help fight laziness and procrastination.
4. Download limiting apps
In order not to get stuck in social networks or games all day long. Set a time limit on Instagram, VKontakte, YouTube and other applications that constantly distract you from your studies.
5. Change location
Study first in one room, then in another (or even on the street). This will help you rememberLearning Versus Performance: An Integrative Review 21% more information.
6. Go in for sports
Any activity you like will do: running, interval cardio, yoga, pilates. Exercise helps you learnExercising for exam success more effective, increase alertnessAcute aerobic exercise effects on brain wave pattern of player and non-player and reduce stress levelsExercise and stress: Get moving to manage stress. The latter is especially important, since there are sea reasons for excitement before exams. Including the choice of a university and the fear of not going to the budget.
For example, in "Sberbank»A loan for education is issued with a deferred payment: you need to start repaying the loan only three months after receiving your diploma. And while studying at a university, you only need to pay interest. Take an educational loan at "Sberbank»Can be enrolled in any Russian university with a license, for example, the Higher School of Economics or RANEPA.
Study in a classroom university
7. Take non-standard notes
Remembering a long sheet of text can be difficult. To make things easier, you can mark important points with stickers or markers. Or even draw illustrations in the margins and even directly in the text.
Another way to better remember information is with Cornell's note-taking system.Cornell note taking system. Divide the sheet in half with a vertical bar, indicate the topic at the top. In the left column, write the key questions of the lecture or lesson. Then, for example after a few hours or a day, try to answer them in the right column.
8. Don't forget to rest
Man is not a machine. Therefore, it cannot be as efficient as possible for several hours in a row. In addition, studying without respite can lead to burnout or nervous breakdown.
To stay productive and remember more, learn in intervals such as the Pomodoro TechniqueThe Pomodoro Technique. You need to study for 25 minutes, then rest for 5 minutes - this is one "tomato". After four "tomatoes" take a half hour break.
Alternative method - "52/17"The Rule of 52 and 17: It’s Random, But it Ups Your Productivity. 52 minutes of study, 17 rest. The main thing is not to spend a break in a smartphone or computer.
9. Listen to soothing music
Play in the background classical music, ambient, movie soundtracks, instrumental hip-hop or any other calm melodies of your choice. Practice in complete silenceExploring the Effects of Ambient Noise on Creative Cognition less effective. At the same time, try to avoid fast compositions and your favorite tracks - the temptation to sing along or start dancing is too high. And do not play the music too loud: it will interfere with the assimilation of information.
The day before the exam
10. Brainstorm
Set aside an hour to make cheat sheets: write down everything you remember about the subject on paper. You do not need to use them for the exam. This activity will help you warm up your brain and make sure that you understand the material you have covered. If you forget something, reread your notes. The main thing is not to study all day and even more so at night. Cramming before an exam is unlikely to help you remember anythingSpacing is more effective than cramming.
11. Watch a video of a dog, cat or panda
Instead of continuously reading your abstract, open YouTube. Videos with cute animals will helpThe Power of Kawaii: Viewing Cute Images Promotes a Careful Behavior and Narrows Attentional Focus become more attentive and do better tasks.
12. Get a good sleep
Lack of sleep makes you irritableCumulative Sleepiness, Mood Disturbance, and Psychomotor Vigilance Performance Decrements During a Week of Sleep Restricted to 4‑5 Hours Per Night and lethargic. And, accordingly, it does not have the best effect on productivity. And also negatively reflectedMemory for Semantically Related and Unrelated Declarative Information: The Benefit of Sleep, the Cost of Wake in memory. In order not to forget anything on an important day and to cope with all the tasks, go to bed early. And don't forget to set some alarm clocks or have someone close to you wake you up. Sleeping through the exam is a nightmare that cannot be tolerated in reality.
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On the day of the exam
13. Eat something protein for breakfast
Scrambled eggs, cottage cheese, turkey sandwich, fried tofu, protein shake, or anything else that's packed with protein. This breakfast has a positive effect on mindfulness.Influences of protein to energy ratios in breakfast on mood, alertness and attention in the healthy undergraduate students. But it is better to refuse a sweet bun or chocolate bar before the exam: they canBrain Serotonin, Carbohydrate-Craving, Obesity and Depression make you sleepy and tired. If you really want something sweet, eat dark chocolate.
14. Take a walk
Leave the house early and walk to the exam site. A little walk helpsCognitive performance is improved while walking the brain to work more efficiently and increases attentiveness.
15. Predict the answers
This tip is suitable for exams that have a test portion. After reading the questions, do not look at the answer options right away, first try to remember the correct one yourself. This will help energize your brain: you will respond faster.
16. Sit up straight
A straight back and straight shoulders are a pose of confidence and calmness. And not only because of the fact that it looks so outwardly. Correct posture increases testosterone production and decreases cortisol release. That is, it makes you more decisive.Power Posing: Brief Nonverbal Displays Affect Neuroendocrine Levels and Risk Tolerance and helps to fight stress.
17. Chew gum
This process increases alertnessEffects of Chewing Gum on Mood, Learning, Memory and Performance of an Intelligence Test and helps you remember important information. Just chew quietly and not too vigorously so as not to disturb others and attract the attention of onlookers.
18. Watch your breath
You cannot give in to panic in the exam, otherwise you can fail it. If you feel nervous, put your pen and exam materials aside and breathe calmly.Stress Management: Breathing Exercises for Relaxation, meditate. Just 2-4 minutes is enough. Close your eyes and inhale slowly for a count of 1 to 4-6, and then exhale while repeating the count. Concentrate so as not to be distracted by your thoughts and surrounding noises. Breathing will help you relax so you can safely return to your assignments.
Do it your way!