Year-end assessments and exams can be a stressful time for children and their families. With a proper schedule and these smart study tips (for students and parents), it is possible to get through the final stretch and perform well.
Part of helping your child prepare for exams and tests is showing them how to deal with stress and anxiety. In a test situation, stress can affect your child’s ability to think clearly or impair their memory.
Using these smart study tips will help students study more effectively.
smart study tips for students
Have a plan
A study plan helps you focus on the large volumes of content you need to get through in a short amount of time. It’s not only a timetable, but a strategy that helps you allocate the necessary time each subject requires. If you’re struggling with a certain subject, a study plan allows you to focus more of your time and attention to ensure you’re comfortable with the work before the exam.
Organise your study area
Create an uncluttered, comfortable and organised space to study. This limits distractions so that you can start your work straight away. Make sure you have all your study material in a central place so you don’t have to search for it. Keep chargers for devices close by. Colour-code your study notes to access them faster. It all adds up to more effective studying.
Timetable
Draw up a good study timetable according to priorities and stick to it. Don’t leave studying to the last minute, late-night cramming sessions are not productive.
Take breaks
Research shows that taking short breaks from studying helps you re-energise and refocus for the next batch of study material you need to get through. These breaks boost your energy levels and increase your ability to focus. And don’t overlook the power of a good night’s sleep: it can have a major impact on your mood and grades.
Practise, practise, practise
Everyone has their particular study methods that work for them, but by consistently tackling questions and rewriting previous exam papers, you can practise answering difficult questions consistently. Over time, these questions become easier. This is one of the most important of the smart study tips.
Exercise
Exercising three to four times a week will make you more receptive to learning. Exercise can increase the flow of oxygen and blood to the brain, which is essential for cognitive function, so make sure to fit in some exercise while studying.
More smart study and surviving exam stress advicee.
smart study tips for parents
Feed their body and mind
A balanced and nutritious diet that includes a variety of fruit, vegetables and proteins will not only boost your child’s physical health, but will also support their mood, energy and learning. Healthy eating leads to better concentration and improved memory. Banish the sugary energy drinks and salty chips and offer them more fruit, yoghurt and lean protein like nuts. Make sure they eat a good breakfast on test day.
Sleep routine
Make sure your child gets a good night’s sleep the night before the test, they will need eight to nine hours of sleep to ensure their brain rests and they wake up refreshed and alert on the morning of the exam.
Eliminate distractions
Try to keep domestic noise to a minimum when your child is studying, especially if others in the house are watching TV. If your child is easily distracted by noise, consider getting them noise-cancelling earphone
Open communication
Encourage your child to talk to you about any concerns or fears. If your child shows abnormal stress levels, talk to the teacher and work together to reduce this tension. Remind your child to carefully read the directions on the test paper before answering. And teach them to pace themself: if the test is an hour long and worth 60 marks, they need to allocate a minute for each mark.
Consistency
Where possible, try to organise the household so that meals areserved at the same time every day, co-ordinating with the scheduled break time in a child’s study timetable
Avoid last-minute hiccups
- Pack stationery and necessary items, such as pens, pencils, erasers and calculators, the night before.
- If the test is first thing in the morning, leave a little earlier to avoid any heavy traffic and give them time to settle at school.
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If students and parents follow these smart study tips, assessment/exam time will mean greater organisation and less stress for the family.
