My Top 5 Exam Season Tips 

As exam season approaches, it’s important to not only study effectively but also take care of yourself. Here are my top 5 tips for exam season.

‍1. Set Goals - The What and the Why

Of course, everyone's goal is to do well on exams, but breaking goals into specific, measurable mini-goals makes them easier to attain. Understanding your “what” and “why” sets the foundation for achieving realistic goals. It is helpful to be specific, so you know exactly what you are striving to achieve and why it is important to you. 

2. Organize and Plan - The How

In order to minimize stress and maximize great results, it's important that you go into your studying as organized as possible and with a strong game plan. Pull out your planner or calendar and write out when each exam is. This is so helpful in ensuring you have the time to prepare ahead for each exam. Additionally, writing out realistic, detailed to-do lists is a great way to see what needs to be done and can then be done during your pockets of free time. By visually seeing what tasks need to get done, you will decrease stress and enhance your productivity. Crossing things off my to-do list is the best feeling!

3. Give Yourself Breaks

Exam season is long and arduous, so it's important to give yourself breaks to avoid burnout. My favorite studying method is the Pomodoro Method. This method consists of giving your studies your all for 25 minutes and then allowing yourself a 5-minute break. After a few cycles of this, it's important to extend the break by 15-30 minutes. During these longer breaks, I often try not to sit around on my phone and instead will clean my room or go on a walk. This method is super helpful during long study sessions as it breaks up the work and makes the tasks feel more manageable. 

4. Take Care of Yourself 

Taking care of yourself really helps decrease anxiety and stress levels, and can also improve clarity and focus. Some of my favorite self-care strategies include taking my dog for walks, exercising, doing face masks, and most importantly: going to bed at a reasonable hour. Sleep is just as important as studying; it improves focus and helps you retain information.‍

5. Stay Positive‍

In addition to studying, it's crucial to keep a positive mindset in order to do well on your exams. Mindset is half the battle of being successful, and if you’re negative, self-doubt will take over. Even when the material and results of studying seem discouraging, keep your head up, and great results will follow with hard work and consistency.  Sometimes it helps me to set rewards for myself, which can motivate me to work even harder. Whether it's a Starbucks drink before school or going to a favorite lunch spot with friends, little items can act as an incentive to stay driven.  Thinking about how the results of great test scores will affect you can also be a great motivator. 

I hope these tips help make your exam season more productive and successful. Good luck!