How to Prepare in 24 Hours Before Your Exam

Jul 1, 2024

How to Prepare in 24 Hours Before Your Exam

Introduction

  • Speaker: June Yu
  • Background: Dual degrees (Bachelors & Masters) in Biomedical Engineering with Neuroengineering concentration.
  • Goal: Provide strategies to maximize study efficiency within 24 hours before an exam.

Step 1: Prioritize Study Material

Identify Weaknesses

  • Use a learning system to track strengths and weaknesses.
    • If pre-established system: Assess current strengths and weaknesses quickly.
    • If not: Spend 30 minutes reviewing syllabus and identifying weak areas.

Consult Friends

  • Ask well-prepared friends about key topics highlighted by professors.
  • Utilize insights from those who have attended all classes.

Review Past Papers

  • Use past papers to identify likely content emphasis, but don’t over-rely on them.

Step 2: Create a Study Document

  • Document materials identified as priorities (Google Doc, Excel, or notebook).
  • Color-code topics by comfort level (Green, Yellow, Red).
  • Update document with key points and potential weaknesses during study sessions.
  • Use this document as a cheat sheet for quick review before the exam.

Step 3: Establish a Study Schedule

  • Allocate ~45 minutes per identified weakness with 5-minute breaks.
  • Integrate breaks for meals and activities like getting ready for bed.
  • Ensure to refresh on strengths towards the end of the schedule.

Step 4: Utilize Friends Again

  • Have brief study sessions or calls with friends to clarify complex topics.
  • Avoid long, distracting study groups; quick, focused help is key.

Step 5: Find a Focused Space

  • Quiet Environment: Study in libraries or friend’s quiet place if home is noisy.
  • Noise Cancellation: Use noise-canceling headphones or earplugs.
  • Visual Focus: Use cardboard dividers to limit visual distractions.
  • Timer: Use a timer for study sessions and breaks.
  • Snacks: Keep non-messy snacks and water handy to avoid interruptions.
  • Turn off phone notifications to minimize distractions.

Step 6: Use Active Techniques

Avoid Passive Techniques

  • Passive methods like rereading or rewriting are low-utility and time-consuming.

Blurting Method

  • Read a chunk of text, close the source, and write down everything recalled.

Feynman Technique

  • Explain concepts as if to a fifth grader; use analogies and examples.
  • Record explanations to review and self-assess.

Practice Tests

  • Use practice tests for self-assessment.
  • Focus on understanding the reasoning behind correct and incorrect answers.

Visual Aids and Mnemonics

  • Use diagrams to visualize and interconnect concepts.
  • Mnemonics can help but may not be practical for all subjects.

Step 7: Importance of Sleep

  • Do not pull all-nighters; sleep supports neuroplasticity and information retention.
  • Aim for quality sleep to ensure high performance during the exam.

Step 8: Optimize Exam Day

Meals and Caffeine

  • Ensure nutritious meals; avoid excessive caffeine to prevent jitters and anxiety.

Breathing Techniques

  • Use short guided breathing exercises to reduce tension and improve focus.

Review Cheat Sheet

  • Quickly review the cheat sheet created during study sessions to reassure yourself of the material covered.

Final Thoughts

  • Grades are important but not everything; focus on learning and incremental improvements.
  • Implement strategies early to make studying more enjoyable and less stressful.

End Note: Enjoy your learning journey and manage your time effectively. Even if you have just 24 hours, following these steps can optimize your exam preparation.