Preparing for exams

IT’S the last lecture and you realise that you have been listening, reading (somewhat) and thinking, but you know you are nowhere near ready to face the upcoming exams.

Now it’s time to hit the books and go into revision mode. Here are some tips to make cramming easier.

1) Go through everything and make a list of topic headings. Think of the bigger picture – there are usually six or seven big topics per semester.

2) Go through your lecture notes. Divide them up into those big topics.

3) Go through your textbook. Make a list of pages that match your big topics.

4) Read the book pages that are relevant. Read the lecture notes. Do this in block mode so that you can get a concise and accurate overview.

5) Highlight the key phrases in the lecture notes. You should only mark about 10% to 20% of the total text.

Each highlighted item should spark a memory that brings back the information surrounding that key phrase.

6) Go through the book and take notes. Tip: if you write these by hand, it will boost

short-term memory into longterm memory.

However, if you have messy handwriting, type up your notes instead. Your notes will form a visual memory too, so the aim is to be neat.

7) Add your lecture note highlights to your textbook notes.

8) Divide your notes into sections; one to each big topic. 9) Lay information out neatly. Now, highlight the key terms. Print any typed notes.

10) See how much revision time you have, and make a schedule for reading through your notes.