Articles
Education
How to prepare for exams — and perform well too!
By: WA Staff
Jan 19th, 2011
We’ve pulled together a set of helpful tips to prepare for exams. Hopefully you’ve been a dedicated student, but take a look at our quick reminders to get you geared up for the coming semester!
- Get organized — Plan, plan, plan. Map out when your finals will occur, how much time you have to study in between each one, what the test will focus on and gather your course material together. Prioritize your time based on the tests that will count towards your final grades the most and analyze which tests you’ll need to prepare for more than others. Time management is key.
- Start studying as early as you can — Set aside blocks of time to study for each final and begin reviewing as soon as you can. You’ll see a benefit from dedicating more time to studying. Start with small sections or chunks of information and gradually build.
- Eliminate distractions —Take yourself out of a hectic environment and find a quiet place to prepare. Turn off the TV, mute your cell phone and concentrate. Make your study time valuable.
- Use your resources — Visit campus or virtual office hours and talk to your instructor about the test, and get your burning questions answered. Find a study buddy or pull together study groups. Review exam preparation documents, study sheets and previous tests. Make the best use of what you have already.
- Don’t overdo it — Don’t forget to eat, sleep and take a few breaks now and then. If you run yourself down, you won’t be performing at your highest level.
- Stop studying an hour or two before each test — Spend that last hour or so relaxing. Get something to eat and take a moment to sit back before you head into the exam.




