For most of us, this is a time of great anxiety and fear. Many of us have probably procrastinated to the very last to study for our exams, which should not have been the case. I can admit however that this pandemic situation might have induced a whole other level of laziness and procrastination. There can be no more of that, however, because exams are right at our doorways …
General Tips for Exams
As such, I hope that most of you guys have studied and are ready to take on these online exams. If you have waited last minute and are preparing to cram in a panic, I have some tips for you. The first of which is to REMAIN CALM! There is no use in panicking now, stress and anxiety will only make it harder for you to concentrate, memorize the information, and think critically about the exam. Instead, gather all your study material and find a quiet space. Make a list of all the important topics and find summaries in your notes, textbooks, or from reliable sources. Ensure you make notes as you go along; you can use charts, mind maps, and tables to help you centralize the information. Review the important topics on your list, ensuring you understand key points. Another great tip is to study out of order; after going over your notes thoroughly, do so a second time in a random fashion. This technique has been seen to effectively facilitate memorization. Taking breaks while studying is also important, I would recommend taking a 5-minute break after every 25-30 minutes of study (Pomodoro Method). Taking practice quizzes or quizzing yourself may also help you to remember the information you have covered.
7 Tips For Passing Your College Exams Online
Now that we have covered all our material, there are a few more things we should ensure we do the night before our exam. These include:
Getting at least 5-6 hours of sleep
Pulling an all-nighter before an exam is never a smart idea as it can lead you to feel fatigued and it does not aid your memory.
Packing up everything you will need
Though we are home it is still a good practice that we have everything we could need for our exams in one place that way we are not running all over the place when we realize we might need something else to complete our exam. This will also reduce our anxiety.
Do not load up on caffeine and junk food
Caffeine might create a chemical imbalance in your body which may cause you to be more anxious, feeling hyped and jittery. And this can make it hard for you to fall asleep or concentrate. Your body generally feels better (physically and mentally) after you have eaten a healthier meal, so it’s important to fill your body with healthy nutrients.
Try teaching
Teach the content to a friend, a family member, or even your pillow and stuffed animals. This will force you to understand the material and will help you to remember it.
Make learning fun
Try making up songs, acronyms, and rhymes to help you memorize your notes. You can also reward yourself with treats after you have completed various tasks.
Unwind before bed
Watch a quick YouTube video from your favorite YouTuber, read a chapter of a non-academic book. Allow yourself to relax and unwind, this will improve your sleep and you will, therefore, wake up feeling less anxious.
Have all the necessary contacts on hand
Many things can go wrong when doing an exam online. Have your lecturer’s email and/or phone number ready as well as ensure you are familiar with the protocol you should follow should something go wrong. Such as contacting the Examinations Support team via email at examsupport@uwimona.edu.jm where assistance is available between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday. Ensure your queries are sent from a student’s UWI email address and included:
- Student’s full name
- Student’s ID number
- Course Code
- Details of the examination/assessment (along with the name of quiz or assignment)
- Specifics of the problem being experienced (include the wording of any error messages)
- Date and time at which the problem/challenge was experienced
- Pertinent information regarding the access modality (e.g. home WiFi or mobile data, device type used – computer, tablet, mobile phone)
- Any other information which may help in resolution.
Staying organized during the exam period is a crucial part of success. Planning out your study sessions, ensuring all the necessary details are covered, minimizing distractions, and getting enough rest is also very important. Staying positive and encouraged also increases your chances of coming out of your exams with the grades you want. Don’t stress yourself too much, always be confident in your abilities and never give up; you’ve come this far. YOU GOT THIS!
These may not be the ideal exam conditions for many of us but we will have to make do. Be positive, remain calm, and let’s show just how resilient we are as students.
Best of luck on all your exams my fellow pelicans.
Written by:
Kerry-Ann Walker | All Rights Reserved
#7 Tips For Passing Your College Exams Online
#7 Tips For Passing Your College Exams Online
#7 Tips For Passing Your College Exams Online
#7 Tips For Passing Your College Exams Online
#7 Tips For Passing Your College Exams Online
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