The Year 5’s are getting ready for our exams next week, and with exams comes studying. While this is often a stressful time, there are ways to make it a bit less tough. Studying is a skill, and one that works differently for different people, but there are some general things we can do to help ourselves come to grips with what can feel like an awful lot of work.
Have a special study space.
Have a light, quiet place free of distractions set aside specifically for studying. Keep it well-stocked with highlighters, paper, pencils and colourful pens – tools to help you make and organize study notes. Tidy your own study space every day before you stop working, so that it is ready for a fresh start the next day.
Study the way that works for you.
Think about the way that you learn best. Are you someone who likes to write things down? Why not use mind-maps? They are an excellent study tool, particularly for Cambridge, because they help you to see the connections between different ideas. Do you remember better if you speak your work our loud? Why not teach your teddy bear (or your little brother or sister) the work? Are you an active person, who gets bored sitting and reading? Try acting out the work you are trying to learn!
Don’t cram.
Studying a little bit of a subject every day is much better for remembering things in the long-term than studying for a very long time in just one day. Space your studying out so that you have time to do a little bit each day.
Practice!
Rather than just learning the work and trying to remember it, do practice questions. This helps you learn to apply the work, not just to remember it. Another good way of learning is to actually make a practice test of your own. Thinking about what kind of questions you would ask in a test helps you to think about the work in a different way.
Take breaks.
Focusing for hours on end is really tough, especially if you’ve come home from a full day of school. Taking 15 minute breaks after each hour of studying can really help keep you focused – and it will help you remember more of what you’ve studied. If 15 minutes every hour doesn’t work for you, try a five-minute break after every 20 minutes, or a 20 minute break after an hour and a half of working.
Eat!
Try and eat healthy, balanced meals during exam time. Have a good breakfast on the day of your exam, even if you’re not too hungry. This will help keep your energy levels up for longer, which helps you concentrate better. Try not to have sugary snacks when you’re studying or writing – fruit or biltong is a good snack, and so is peanut butter on crackers.
Lastly, SLEEP!
Getting a good night’s sleep is very important for being able to concentrate the next day. It also helps you to process the work that you have covered. It’s tempting to stay up late studying the night before an exam, but it’s often better to get an early night and wake up fresh and ready for the next day. Try relax for a little before bed, but stay away from screens – they make it harder to fall asleep when you do get to bed.
Good luck to the Year 5’s for their upcoming exams! Do your best, and remember that practice makes progress!
