When exams start coming up, it is important to not fall into bad habits. Make sure that you are not only spending time studying, but studying effectively. Here are some ways that you can do that:

Use active recall

Read your notes

Close your textbook and try to recall the information

Write down what you know

Check to make sure you can explain the topic not just regurgitate information

Don’t just reread

Many students try to reread and hope that they retain the information

Try to replace this with practice questions or quizzing – resources like Chat GPT can take your notes and make them tests ( just don’t trust everything it gives you and be sure to look it over)

Study Consistently

Studying for hours on end and all at once often does not work

Aim to study for 30-60 minutes at a time

Practice and Review

Many students focus too much on reviewing and not on practicing

Try to quiz yourself and practice application

Teach material to someone else

This can show that you know the information and can apply it

Focus on what you don’t know

If you are pressed for time, try to review topics you don’t know and not the easier topics you already know

Create a study plan

Write out all exams and deadlines

Prioritize what needs attention first

Eliminate distractions

Put your phone away

Study in a quiet and focused environment ( The Library is a good place to study)

Use time blocks

Study for 30 minutes then give yourself a 5 minute break

Get enough sleep

All nighters can actually make performance worse

Take real breaks

Don’t just scroll on your phone

Take a walk or get a snack

Focus on progress, not perfection

Overall, start studying earlier than you think you need to. This gives you time to adjust study techniques and use resources. Starting early can allow you to ask professors or tutors for help, before there is nothing they can do.