Study Tips That Help Me Ace Tests

By Charlotte

---

Like most people, I have always struggled with studying. I despise sitting down for hours on end doing work which at times does not interest me. However, after doing some research and listening to guest speakers at my school, I was able to figure out which methods for studying will work best for me, especially during exam season. Today, I am sharing them with you.

Personally, I believe there are three key steps in effective studying: Revising, memorising, and testing. It is crucial for you to revise every bit of information you’re required to know, determine a method that helps you to retain said information, and apply this information in conditions similar to that of the test environment to prove your knowledge. Moreover, it is important to remember that each of us learn through the use of different methods, as we all have different brains. You must explore different methods of studying to figure out which work best for you.

I follow a few key steps when studying, which rarely change, especially when the purpose is memorisation of the content.

1. I rewrite all necessary content into what I call my ‘exam book.’ When studying for a specific topic, I rewrite the key information  (usually outlined in a checklist given to me) into one notebook. This means when exam time (mid-year or end-of-year) rolls around, all the knowledge I must have a thorough understanding of is summarised neatly into one book rather than being mixed throughout my generalized notes for the semester/term.
2. After completing step one, I write out all the key definitions onto flash cards. As a disclaimer: I respond very strongly to memorisation through muscle memory, which is why I write out the information a tedious number of times. This may not be necessary for you, as my learning style is one of many. Some people learn through visuals, while others can learn best through auditory processing. In my case, the use of muscle memory not only helps me to revise, but also gives me a compact version of my notes which I can take with me to study anywhere (my mother will even occasionally quiz me on my flash cards while I am driving).
3. These next two steps are interchangeable. I use past tests or practice tests given to me by my teacher to review questions and apply all the knowledge I am memorizing. In addition, I use the results of  past tests to determine the areas I am struggling with.
4.  The final step I take involves colour-coding my notes by using highlighters. This method differs from re-reading the content, as it is a visually attractive way of re-studying the knowledge whilst also going through the motion of highlighting and reading notes at the same time. This step can be taken prior to testing yourself to glean a more structured, holistic image of the knowledge compared to when writing it out originally. I most recommend the highlighting step right before your test/evaluation, as the knowledge will be fresh in your mind.

​
You are not limited to the methods that work for me. Some additional well-known effective study methods include:

1. Quizzing: Attempt past tests, re-do previously incorrect questions on tests and/or create your own questions and answer them. Throughout all of these ensure you incorporate a range of question types (multiple choice, short answer, extended responses) as well as questions of varying difficulty in order to prepare for exactly what will be on your exam.
2. Flashcards: As opposed to using online ones, I strongly recommend writing them out by hand, as this uses your muscle memory, but I know plenty of people (myself included when my time management hasn’t allowed me to take the time to write everything out) who use online flashcards. For those of you who would rather create flashcards digitally, I recommend using Quizlet as it is a great site to make them on. You can then use them on either your computer or download the app on your phone so you can access them whenever and wherever.
3. Cornell Note-Taking: This is a scientific method of note-taking which has been proven to be the most effective when studying. Below is a visual of the method’s template:

I have never been someone who truly found studying fun, but those are some ways that make it somewhat more bearable for me. A final tip is when facing a long day of studying, start with your favourite subject to ease you in before digging into those more mind-numbing subjects. Remember to find what works best for YOU! Stay strong, and always feel free to reach out if you are in need of additional resources.


Some links mentioned in the article:
Quizlet : https://quizlet.com/latest
Cornell note-taking guide: https://medium.goodnotes.com/study-with-ease-the-best-way-to-take-notes-2749a3e8297b
Officeworks goodies that motivate me:
Pastel Highlighters: https://www.officeworks.com.au/shop/officeworks/p/j-burrows-highlighters-chisel-pastel-6-pack-jbhy2546pl
Fun flash cards: https://www.officeworks.com.au/shop/officeworks/p/studymate-study-cards-pastel-pink-50-sheets-sm5x3pppk
What I use for my ‘exam book’: https://www.officeworks.com.au/shop/officeworks/p/studymate-a4-70gsm-8mm-ruled-pp-cover-binder-book-96-pg-clear-smbbpp96c