Looking for effective study tips to help you prepare for exams and assignments? Exam periods can be stressful, but good time management, realistic planning and regular breaks can help you study more effectively while supporting your student wellbeing. In this article, Saxion student Lucia shares her practical tips for staying focused, organised and motivated during the exam period.
Exam period is coming, and I know it is a very stressful period for many of us, if not all of us. We spend many hours studying or working on projects, often sitting at the computer without taking enough breaks. The truth is that we also need to take care of ourselves if we want to stay sharp and healthy enough to finish those assignments or prepare for our exams. That is why I am writing this article to remind you of a few things that can make this period a little easier.
Break tasks into smaller steps
I know that sometimes, when you have a certain assignment to do, or simply have many assignments at the same time, everything can feel like one big task. That is why breaking everything into smaller steps can really help. It turns that big, scary thing into smaller tasks that feel much more doable. I think this is one of the most important things to do before actually starting anything. Instead of thinking, “I need to finish this whole assignment,” think about what smaller steps you need to take to get there.
Make a simple plan
Before you start studying, it can help to have an overview of everything you need to do and when your deadlines are. Write down your assignments, exams and important dates so you know what is coming up. From there, you can make a small and realistic plan for what you want to work on each day. This can help you feel more organised and makes it easier to see what needs your attention first.
How to actually start
Okay, now I have broken my assignment or study work into smaller parts, but now what? I still struggle to actually start. Don't worry, I have been there too. I found a small trick that helps me with this, instead of thinking about the whole task, think about the very first thing you need to do to start it. For example, if you need to write an essay, just think about turning on your computer. That is the first thing you need to do. Then open Word, Google Docs or whatever you use for your assignments, and just start writing. Once you start, you will often notice that you naturally get into the flow, and continuing with the task becomes much easier.
Try the Pomodoro Technique
If you are not familiar with this technique yet, it can be really useful. In Italian, pomodoro means tomato. The inventor of the technique used a physical kitchen timer shaped like a red tomato to track his study intervals. The idea is simple: choose a task you want to work on and set a timer for 25 minutes on your phone, computer or even a kitchen timer. Work on the task until the timer goes off and then take a 5-minute break. That counts as one cycle. After completing four cycles, take a longer break of around 30 minutes. Once your longer break is over, you can start the four cycles again. Some people also adjust the times depending on what works best for them. The classic Pomodoro method is 25 minutes of focus followed by a 5-minute break, but others prefer 15/3, 50/10 or even 90/20. You can look online at the different options and see which one works best for you. There are also apps you can use to help you stay focused and keep track of your study intervals, like Forest or Plantie.
Getting stuck while doing the assignment/studying
After studying or working on a project for a couple of hours, you might notice that your focus is gone. You are really trying to concentrate, but it is just not happening anymore. That usually means you need a break. A good thing to do is add a bit of movement. Go outside for a short walk or do a small exercise. Changing your environment can also help. When you live in student housing, there is not always much space, so some nice places to study are the library at Saxion or the public library in Deventer. Personally, I find it easier to concentrate there because you are not alone. Even if you are not studying with friends, everyone around you is also studying or working quietly, and I find that this motivates me to focus as well.
Exam periods can be stressful, but having a clear plan, breaking tasks into smaller steps and remembering to take breaks can make things a little easier. Find what works best for you, take care of yourself along the way, and most importantly, good luck with your exams and assignments!
