How to make the best of your exams
Preparing for exams effectively
The brain accounts for 20% of our daily energy consumption
The exam season is fast approaching, and it is time that you, as high school learners, start focusing on preparing, especially if you know that you have not been performing well academically.
This article will focus on the pros and cons of preparing for exams and different study techniques you can try while studying.
Eva Panduleni-Beukes, who assists learners with study methods, shares what they can opt for.
Where do we potentially go wrong?
She says when learners tend to have low academic marks, the obvious reason is that they do not study enough.
The not-so-obvious reasons are ineffective study methods such as re-reading, highlighting, note-making, not doing enough practise problems or questions, cramming, and not answering the questions being asked.
Other factors are not getting enough sleep the night before an exam and making silly mistakes, such as rounding off units and significant figures prematurely.
"Ambiguous and/or long-winded answers and misunderstanding of instructions are also contributing factors," Panduleni-Beukes says.
The forgetting curve
Hermann Ebbinghaus, an experimental psychologist, found that memories weaken over time; the biggest drop in retention occurs soon after learning it; it is easier to retain information that has meaning; and stress and sleep affect our information retention.
One can combat the forgetting curve by reviewing new information at key points of the curve; making the material easier to absorb; making the information relevant by understanding the study material; and reducing negative physiological factors.
How do we improve?
Panduleni-Beukes advises drawing up a study plan and sticking to it. Make information meaningful and study in a distraction-free environment – away from social media – and learn from mistakes.
Additional options you can look at are switching between topics and subjects, trying to make use of your senses to explain and discuss your study material with others, taking regular breaks, eating brain food, staying hydrated, and exercising.
She says that both active recall and spaced learning are methods to improve memory.
"With active recall, when you are going through your notes for the first time after learning the information, write down questions or ask questions to yourself as you are going through the material."
For example, if you are learning about animal and plant cells, as you go through the material, write down questions like:
1. Describe an animal cell.
2. Describe a plant cell.
3. What are the differences between plant and animal cells?
"Then, close your book and try to answer these questions. Wherever you are unsure, go back to your notes or textbook and correct your mistakes."
In spaced learning, review what you did in the previous study session.
"The best way to retain information, if it is new, is to go over it on the day you learn it, then review it a day later, potentially a week later and then a month after that."
That should establish it well in your long-term memory.
Feeding the brain and body
Try to avoid sugar, as it slows down cognitive function and creates deficits in memory and attention. Avoid excessive caffeine consumption, such as energy drinks, which are also unhealthy.
What to eat
• Proteins - improve neurotransmission and mood e.g. meat, poultry, fish, nuts, eggs
• Antioxidants - protect enzymes, vitamins and fats e.g. fruits and vegetables
• Omega 3 – helps the brain work harder e.g. oily fish, eggs, flax seeds
• Mono-unsaturated fats - help improves memory e.g. avocados, nuts, olive oil
• Moderate caffeine - stay refreshed and focussed e.g. coffee, tea, dark chocolate
• Water - stay hydrated
To conclude, plenty of practise is vital, using past test papers, using the spaced repetition and active recall methods, getting enough sleep the night before an exam, and having breakfast before an exam.
This article will focus on the pros and cons of preparing for exams and different study techniques you can try while studying.
Eva Panduleni-Beukes, who assists learners with study methods, shares what they can opt for.
Where do we potentially go wrong?
She says when learners tend to have low academic marks, the obvious reason is that they do not study enough.
The not-so-obvious reasons are ineffective study methods such as re-reading, highlighting, note-making, not doing enough practise problems or questions, cramming, and not answering the questions being asked.
Other factors are not getting enough sleep the night before an exam and making silly mistakes, such as rounding off units and significant figures prematurely.
"Ambiguous and/or long-winded answers and misunderstanding of instructions are also contributing factors," Panduleni-Beukes says.
The forgetting curve
Hermann Ebbinghaus, an experimental psychologist, found that memories weaken over time; the biggest drop in retention occurs soon after learning it; it is easier to retain information that has meaning; and stress and sleep affect our information retention.
One can combat the forgetting curve by reviewing new information at key points of the curve; making the material easier to absorb; making the information relevant by understanding the study material; and reducing negative physiological factors.
How do we improve?
Panduleni-Beukes advises drawing up a study plan and sticking to it. Make information meaningful and study in a distraction-free environment – away from social media – and learn from mistakes.
Additional options you can look at are switching between topics and subjects, trying to make use of your senses to explain and discuss your study material with others, taking regular breaks, eating brain food, staying hydrated, and exercising.
She says that both active recall and spaced learning are methods to improve memory.
"With active recall, when you are going through your notes for the first time after learning the information, write down questions or ask questions to yourself as you are going through the material."
For example, if you are learning about animal and plant cells, as you go through the material, write down questions like:
1. Describe an animal cell.
2. Describe a plant cell.
3. What are the differences between plant and animal cells?
"Then, close your book and try to answer these questions. Wherever you are unsure, go back to your notes or textbook and correct your mistakes."
In spaced learning, review what you did in the previous study session.
"The best way to retain information, if it is new, is to go over it on the day you learn it, then review it a day later, potentially a week later and then a month after that."
That should establish it well in your long-term memory.
Feeding the brain and body
Try to avoid sugar, as it slows down cognitive function and creates deficits in memory and attention. Avoid excessive caffeine consumption, such as energy drinks, which are also unhealthy.
What to eat
• Proteins - improve neurotransmission and mood e.g. meat, poultry, fish, nuts, eggs
• Antioxidants - protect enzymes, vitamins and fats e.g. fruits and vegetables
• Omega 3 – helps the brain work harder e.g. oily fish, eggs, flax seeds
• Mono-unsaturated fats - help improves memory e.g. avocados, nuts, olive oil
• Moderate caffeine - stay refreshed and focussed e.g. coffee, tea, dark chocolate
• Water - stay hydrated
To conclude, plenty of practise is vital, using past test papers, using the spaced repetition and active recall methods, getting enough sleep the night before an exam, and having breakfast before an exam.
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