How should I prepare for the exams which are just two weeks ahead? How can I focus and study?
You’re ready to ace your upcoming exam, but first you have to study. If there’s only two weeks until your exam, you might be feeling stressed out and not sure where to start. Fortunately, a week or two weeks can be enough time to get ready for a test. Just study a little every day so you can keep your stress levels low. You might even have fun while you study!
Creating Time and Space for Studying
Schedule 1 to 2 hours of study sessions into each day of the week. Finding time to study can be super hard, but it’ll be easier if you plan ahead. Go over your schedule for the week and identify pockets of time you can use for studying. You don’t have to do it all at one time, so it’s okay to schedule several short study sessions. Mark these times in your agenda or calendar so you won’t forget.[1]
- You can use a paper agenda or your phone’s calendar.
- Try to study for at least 1 hour every day so you can really learn and memorize the subject. You may want to study longer than that each day if you need more time to review the subject.
- If you have the same daily schedule, you might plan your study sessions for the same time, like every day from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. You could also split up the sessions, such as 5:00 to 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 to 7:45 p.m.
- If your schedule varies, plan around your daily events. You might study on Monday from 7:00 to 9:30 p.m., Tuesday from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. and 8:00 to 8:45 p.m., Wednesday from 6:00 to 7:15 p.m., etc.
Organize your class materials so it’s easy to pull them out. You don’t want to waste any of your study time looking for stuff. Keep your textbook, notes from class, and notes you’ve taken outside of class together. Additionally, keep pens, pencils, highlighters, and a notebook handy.[2]
- If you always study in the same spot, such as a desk in your bedroom, keep your study materials in this area.
- If you like to study on the go, keep your materials together in your book bag.
Pick a quiet, comfortable place to study. You don’t need a special spot to study. All you need is a quiet place with a table where you can spread out your materials. Identify a place where you feel comfortable studying before your study session starts. Additionally, ask people around you to not disturb you.[3]
- At home, you might study at a desk in your bedroom or at the kitchen table.
- You could also try a coffee house, the library, or even a picnic table outside.
Method4
Remove distractions from your study space. It’s super easy to get distracted, so do your best to remove potential distractions. Start by decluttering the space so you have a clear spot to study. Then, turn off your TV and silence your phone if you have one so you won’t be tempted by them. If you’re not using your computer to study, turn it off, as well.[4]
- If you use your computer to study or feel tempted by your phone, use apps and websites that temporarily block your access to social media. For example, try Offtime, BreakFree, Flipd, Moment, or AppDetox.[5] This way you won’t be tempted to give into distraction while you’re studying. You will have time even more for those WhatsApp, IG and Facebook after your exam.
Don’t try to cram at the last minute. You’re probably super busy, so you may feel like you don’t have time to study. However, waiting until the night before your test will set you up for failure. It’s really hard to memorize a lot of information in a short period of time, so study a little each day over the two weeks before the test so you have time to learn the material.[6]
- You probably know people who brag about cramming for tests, but don’t take their word for it. Just do what’s best for you.
Method 6
Read important texts aloud to help you remember them. Reading aloud may help deepen your understanding of the text (Social Studies and RME). Go back over your text to review areas you highlighted in your first reading or passages you didn’t understand. Read these parts of the text aloud to help you process them.[7]
- Do this while you’re studying at home or somewhere you can be alone.
- If you have a study group, you could all take turns reading the passages aloud.
Method 7
Summarizeyour readings to help you identify the main concepts. Chances are, your test will cover the key concepts you learned about a topic. Fortunately, writing summaries helps you find these key concepts so you know what to study. After you read a section of text, summarize it in your own words in your notes.[8]
- You might write something like, “Traditional social values, such as respect for elders and the veneration of dead ancestors, are generally more evident among the rural than the urban population.”
Do a practice test a few days before the exam to check your progress. Taking practice tests helps you check your mastery of the content and identify areas you still need to study. Treat your practice test like the real thing. Time yourself, rely only on your own knowledge, and do your best. After you grade the practice test, spend extra time studying subject you struggled with.
- Use your pastco (MOCKS) and assignments to create your own practice test.
- If your Facilitator has released past copies or the test/Mocks, use them as practice tests.
- You can also look up the topic online Edughana, examghana to get a sample exam questions that can lead and keep on.
Be active during your study breaks to boost your energy. Get up and move around during your study breaks. Even a short burst of exercise can get your blood pumping, which can help you focus better. Try going for a short walk, dancing to your favorite songs, or doing calisthenics.
- For instance, you might do some jumping jacks, push ups, and squats.
- If you have a dog, consider taking it for a walk.
- Create a short 10-to-15 minute playlist of upbeat songs if you want to dance.
Snack on healthy foods to help you stay focused. Eating snacks while you study can help you enjoy your study sessions more. However, pick the right snacks so your brain is performing at its best. Here are some great options for study snacks:
- Fruit, like apple slices, grapes, or orange slices
- Nuts
- Popcorn
- Greek yogurt
- Veggies and dip, like carrots and hummus or broccoli and ranch dressing
