I’m sure you’ve come across many other articles and resources about how to study effectively for your assessments. Given the number of tests and exams you’ve taken since you started going to school, others might consider you as an expert in studying for exams. However, despite your many years of experience (and ‘research’) in this field, you might still be wondering how you can do better. You’ve implemented all the study tips you know, yet, you still can’t seem to ace your exams.

I had these same thoughts and even questioned if I was doing it wrong this whole time. (How effective are these study tips anyway?) Eventually, I figured out 5 common misconceptions that students like you have about revising and studying. Which of these do you practice?

Myth 1: Start Studying Early

You’ve heard it countless times from your teachers and professors who reminded us to “start early”. You know that starting early gives you a head start, yet, you regard it as the ideal situation. If only you began your revision earlier, you could’ve done better. That would mean taking time away from socialising and even sleep.

Who has time to study ahead for finals when you are juggling projects and assignments from all your other 4-6 subjects? What about still having a social life and sufficient rest? How early is early anyway? Is there even a good time to start your revision?

Now, I do not advocate cramming the night before, but reviewing class material early may not necessarily be more effective. This is because it still depends on a few other factors such as your consistency and how actively you are revising the content.

Be realistic in your revision plans and do not feel guilty about prioritising things. Take it one day at a time by setting the intention you have for the day. Ask yourself “What does success look like for this day?” Regardless of how much revision you’ve done (or haven’t done), what matters now is your next course of action.

Granted, starting earlier allows you to have time to start implementing the study techniques, but if you clear your doubts as soon as you have them, it wouldn’t be as steep of a learning curve for you when it is time to revise for your assessments.

Myth 2: Organise Your Space

You wake up bright and early to revise for your exam. You take your time to pour yourself a cup of tea. Noticing that your desk is a little cluttered, you start tidying it up. When your desk is all set up, you suddenly remember that you have to send a text. After sending the message, you feel an urge to munch on something, so you get up to grab a snack. Before you know it, an hour has passed and you still have not begun revising your first chapter.

Often, when I am taking my time to plan or get my study space ready, it is because I am procrastinating on my revision. I spend way too long preparing for the study session that I could have used that preparation time to actually do some revision instead.

If you can postpone the perceived pain of studying, your brain would most likely say yes. This is one of its ways of self-sabotaging plans. It can be a good excuse if you happen to not do as well as you had expected, which protects your identity of being seen as “not good enough”. (You can always put the blame on the lack of time to study, instead of admitting that you studied so hard but still did not meet expectations.)

Set a timer for 5 minutes and organise as much as you can. Once the timer rings, your study session begins. Expect your brain to want to tidy some more. However, it is just subtly procrastinating the seemingly ‘hard task’ ahead. As long as the space is conducive enough for you, it works. You can always continue tidying it up during your breaks.

Myth 3: Take Short Regular Breaks

This is actually a great tip to follow, but pay special attention to the type of activities you do during these breaks. Are you reaching for your phone to check your messages? Are you switching to a tab to watch a video and scroll through your feed? Or are you standing up, stretching and taking a short walk away from your screens?

Even though it might be study week, I highly recommend peppering in one or two activities that provide you with high-density fun. These are the fun things you really want to do, such as watching a new movie or playing a certain game. They tend to be longer, but give you greater fulfilment. This is in contrast to low-density fun activities like scrolling through your social media feeds.

It might sound counterintuitive to spend time doing non-academic activities during study week, but it can help you to destress and prompt you to ensure that the precious time allocated for studying is spent wisely. When you give yourself the permission to do what you really want to do, it indirectly boosts your mood and productivity levels. This ultimately affects your performance when studying in the following days.

Taking breaks do help if you plan to study for a long stretch of time. Hence, choose your activity wisely because they can make or break the rest of your study session.

Myth 4: Dive Straight Into Studying

You might be thinking that there is so little time left to revise for your exam. You start panicking and get right into your work, only to be distracted by your anxious thoughts. You believe that you are “not a math person” but trudge on as you look over the number of practice problems you have to get through by the end of the day.

Your state of mind can determine how effective your study session will be. Don’t ignore your negative thoughts and beliefs about yourself. If you keep thinking thoughts such as “I’m bad at coding”, “This is too difficult”, “I hate this subject”, “I can’t do well in this”, or “There isn’t much time left to do anything”, you might just convince your brain. If you repeat them in your head enough times, you will believe it and eventually make it a reality.

Try these thoughts and identities instead:

• I am getting better at this.
• I will get better at this.
• I am not there yet, but eventually I will.
• Failing doesn’t mean I will not improve.
• Making mistakes mean I am trying.
• Practicing and making mistakes mean I am one step closer to mastering this.
• How can I make this enjoyable?

Before beginning each study session, check in with yourself first. I highly encourage you to journal for a minute to examine the thoughts (and resistance) you have around the revision. Only then can you set the intention and energy for it.

Myth 5: Follow These Tips Exactly And You’ll Do Well

There are tons of tips you know that you can implement. However, not all of them will suit your learning style. You have your own unique way of studying and remembering content taught in class. If flashcards help you, create them (without the drama and doubts). If it doesn’t, don’t spend your precious time on them if you know it wouldn’t make much of a difference in your revision.

You don’t have to follow or implement all the strategies. What worked for others may or may not work for you. Tweak it if you have to or re-visit them for later.

A certain technique might have worked for you previously, but may not work for you now. Stay flexible, but at the same time, do not sub-consciously avoid the things you know will work for you.

There is only one way to get better at knowing this, and that is through your own experience. It would be best if you could review what worked and didn’t work for you after every semester (or test). For instance, did studying as a group help you or was it more detrimental to your learning? Revisit your reflections the next time you are studying for a test.

Remember only you know yourself best.

It’s Not Just About Time Management

Making the most out of each revision day isn’t just a matter of time management. You must proactively manage your energy and emotional life too. Rather than just dealing with problems when they come up, be mindful of your mental well-being throughout the weeks. Have regular check-ins with yourself (and your friends!), and remind yourself of the bigger picture.

If you cannot do two things at once, that’s okay. Accept that you may not be able to do everything. Focus on one thing at a time and finish it. Every progress counts.

Do you have any other questions or thoughts around studying? Comment below and tell me what other struggles you have.

It’s time for you to study smart!

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