Effective Revision For Examinations
By Zowy Costa

Bandar Seri Begawan - It is the time of the year when students lock themselves in their rooms and revise for examinations. Indeed, the pressure can lead to stress, especially when their teachers and parents are expecting them to get good grades.

To avoid stress from getting to you, here are some useful tips. Students need to manage their time carefully, between, leisure activities and revising. A schedule should be prepared beforehand to manage their time effectively.

For instance, students should decide how much time to spend on studying, relaxing and resting. Good students need plenty of rest to keep their brains functioning well. Make a realistic timetable and stick to it. Start planning it well before the exams, instead of leaving revision until the eleventh hour.

Each student should also know what kind of environment is best suited to his revising style. Some prefer to study alone by locking themselves in a room free of distractions, while others opt to listen to music to sooth them while they are revising. There are also people who opt for group revision.

For students who prefer to study alone, they usually pick a quiet place that is far away from all distractions and noises, so they focus on what needs to be done.

Meanwhile, a handful of students prefer to study with music playing in the background. In the modern days, it is a known fact that teenagers cannot be separated from their music, as it plays an important role in their lives. They tend to listen to their favourite songs while revising, a method that they claim sooths and relaxes them.

For some, a group study is an effective way to revise for upcoming examinations. Students will gather and carry out a group discussion, which is followed by a question-and-answer session. This way, they can remember what they have discussed as part of a social conversation.

Jotting down points from textbooks can help students digest information easier, especially if they don't like the subject or have difficult comprehending it. Add headings and sub-headings, or use highlighting pens and revisions cards, keywords or charts, are also useful.

Work out a timetable' that best suits you. If you can concentrate better in the morning, then do most of the revision before lunch instead of late into the night. If you are more of a night owl, then study later in the day. But do remember to go to bed at a reasonable time to ensure sufficient rest.

If you find yourself unable to concentrate because you are tired, hungry or bored, take a 10-minute breather. Short intervals in between revision beat starting at the same page for an extended period of time with no avail.

It is also important to ask for help if encountered with a "roadblock", especially in times of heightened stress level. Seek help from teachers when necessary, as they know what is best for their students.

Before the day of the examination, students need to get adequate rest to avoid tiredness during the examination itself. Taking a nice hot shower or bath early in the morning will help the students feel relaxed, which in turns, reduce stress.

Avoid drinking too much coffee, tea or any fizzy drinks. Caffeine can "hype" you up, leading to foggy thoughts. It is also important to eat healthily as your brain can benefit from the nutrients.

Not only do students need to be physically prepared for examinations, they must ensure that are mentally fit as well. Students usually need moral support from parents, teachers and peers. They need to feel calm before an exam. For Muslims, it means reciting prayers before an exam.

During the day of an examination, it is important to not panic. It is only natural to feel the nervous. But try and keep calm to avoid becoming excessively nervous. The quickest and perhaps the most effective way of eliminating stress is to close your eyes and take several long, deep breaths.

If your mind goes blank, don't panic! Panicking will only make it harder to recall information. Instead, focus on your breathing for about a minute. If you still cannot remember the information, move on to the next question and return to the problematic one later.

After the examination, don't spend too much time thinking the mistakes you had made, as our own assessment can be far too harsh. Congratulate yourself for the things you had done right instead and learn from the parts where you know you could have done better and move on. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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