As we head into the Trimester 3 exam period you may be feeling nervous or under pressure to perform well. Thankfully, the Library has tips to help put your mind at ease!
Exam admin
Double check what you are allowed to bring into the exam (not the night before or the day of!). For example open book exams may allow you to bring a textbook, and some exams may allow special equipment such as a calculator. Double check what technology is required for online exams ahead of time to make sure your computer is compatible.
Review your notes
Go back and re-read your lecture and tutorial notes. Chances are the teaching staff may have dropped some hints about information you need to know for the exam! Try and listen back to any lecture recordings you have missed.
Be an active learner
Revising by re-reading notes and books may not suite your learning style. Visual aids such as mind maps and flash cards can be a great way to embed information. Another approach could be explaining concepts to someone else or listening to a podcast about the topic. Importantly, try to remove yourself from distractions while in the study zone.
Get by with a little help from your friends
Going over notes and clarifying what you have learnt over the trimester with a study partner or group is a great way to prepare for an exam. Other students may remind you of things you had forgotten or help explain concepts you had difficulty grasping the first-time round. ‘We’re all in this together’ and ‘you are not alone’ may be clichés, but when it comes to exams, they’re true.
Test yourself
Why stop at one exam when you can do more? Past exams—if available—can be a good indicator of the types of questions you can expect on the exam you are studying for. They can also prompt you towards where more study is required. Try completing a past exam within time constraints. This can help you to prioritise your time when it comes to the real thing.
Organise your time
Studying in smaller time chunks will help you recall and retain more information than if you study for hours on end. Get away from your desk regularly to clear your mind before resuming study. Finding an optimal time and place to study can also help with productivity. Nathan and Gold Coast Campuses now have 24/7 secure study spaces available, so if 3 am is prime productivity time for you, try them out. Just don’t forget to allow time for sleep as well!
The big day, and the night before
The night before an exam, eat well and get a good night’s sleep. Starting the day refreshed and alert will stand you in better stead then revising all night. Allow plenty of time to travel from your house to where the exam is being held, including finding a park when you get there. Stop studying on the day of the exam! Cramming in more information may create more stress and tension, which will not help you perform well.
Check out the Library’s tips for developing study skills for more advice on how to succeed in your exams.
Good luck!
You’ve got this!
