Exam! A scary word that can even shake the souls of innocent students who are just trying to enjoy life. This word is known to create stress and anxiety in most students, whereas some may also feel a sensation of joy and confidence building up in them. Like most students, I have also experienced the urge to run away from the daunting challenge of exams.I have never been great at passing exams, often achieving average grades. However, my life took a significant turn, leading me to become obsessed with studying, which eventually resulted in me achieving a remarkable 95% in the last exam. How did a backbencher become a nerd among nerds? Here’s my secret.

Firstly, you need to have a goal in mind that will motivate you. In my case, it was to acquire a gaming PC and to avoid getting grounded. Secondly, after being pumped up, you need to understand the steps of effective learning.I have compiled some steps that I found effective for acing every exam. First of all, don’t be too hard on yourself. You are a human being not a robot. Take continuous breaks of about 15 to 30 minutes for every 1 or one and a half hours of study sessions. Remember that these breaks are important for allowing your mind to process the information. Instead of using your mobile or watching TV in this breaks, consider meditating, exercising, or going for a walk.

The second step is to practice after every one or two days. It may sound challenging, but with discipline, you will get the hang of it. For example, if I studied physics today (Friday) than I would review it again on Sunday or Monday and so on. Thirdly, you need to understand the difference between studying and learning. In learning you understand the concepts and then make notes whereas, studying simply involves reading your work. Therefore, focus on learning rather than just studying.

Now, let’s understand tips for mastering exams. Firstly, when faced with challenging questions, don’t panic, instead take a deep breath and than solve the problem with a calm mind. Remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day and similarly success isn’t achieved overnight. Secondly, listening to music has proven to improve memory like ‘Every Good Boy Does Fine’ for remembering musical notes, can turn seemingly daunting tasks into a walk in the park. By adopting these strategies into your study routine, you’ll be well-equipped to conquer any exam with confidence and ease.

Lastly, make notes in an effective way using arrows, drawings, and clouds while marking/highlighting the points that are hard to understand. Our brains tend to understand notes with simple images and arrows more efficiently than learning from a huge paragraph. Notes and breaks are crucial, so don’t skip them. For more tips on how to ace your exams or learn challenging topics, utilize platforms like YouTube instead of wasting time watching reals. Good luck for your exams. Be hard on yourself now to relax tomorrow.