By- Erika Semprun
Do you, your children, or your students struggle with preparing for an exam or assignment? Now that the new year and semester are here, we have compiled some tips to help you kick those bad studying habits to the curb!
#1- Plan ahead
The key to acing an exam is having a plan. Being aware of the approaching due date and how much time you’ll need to cover all the material is essential. Stay ahead of the curve by keeping track of assignments and the exam date on a calendar or agenda. By doing this, you’ll be giving yourself ample time to get prepared.
#2- Find out what kind of study habits work best for you
Are you a visual, auditory, or kinesthetic learner? Do you understand information best when it’s shown on a graph or when you’re given time to learn it through a hands-on assignment? Because some teaching methods work better for some than others, knowing which habits fit you best is essential to mastering material. If you already know, you’re one step ahead, but if you’re not sure what method works best for you, there are dozens of questionnaires online that’ll help you figure it out.
#3- Manage your time
Now that you’re aware of upcoming due dates, corresponding material, and what studying habits work best for you, the next step is deciding how much time you need to master the information. Instead of leaving all the studying for the night before, reserve some time in your daily schedule to go over the material. The amount of time is completely up to you, but by reviewing a little bit every day rather than cramming, you’ll become much more deeply familiar with it. Plus, you’ll avoid the stress and anxiety that come with procrastination.
#4- Flashcards for the win
Whether you’re a visual, auditory, or kinesthetic learner, quizzing yourself before an exam is very important. A great way to do this is by filling out and getting familiar with the information through flashcards. Flashcards are great tools for memorization, and they’re also affordable and so easy to use. The best part? If you don’t have anyone to help you study, you can simply just quiz yourself!
#5- Find a study buddy
If studying alone doesn’t work well for you because you get distracted or you’re struggling with the material, try finding a buddy to study with. Study partners or groups are a great tool, but only if everyone in the group is working their hardest to succeed. Try to stay away from classmates who are fooling around or who don’t have an interest in doing great on the exam.
Now that you’re familiar with these steps, you’re ready to conquer your next assignment. Did you enjoy this article? Check out Spanish Classroom for more tips and interesting reads.
