Term 4 has begun and the final year exams are just around the corner. Whether you are in Primary 1 or Secondary 4, the coming weeks will quite possibly be the most challenging stretch of the academic year for you, as there is so much to learn, revise, and remember.
Here are 9 study tips from The Learning Lab that will help you get the most out of your exam preparation:
Before you actually do anything, take some time to ask yourself exactly what it is that you hope to achieve from your final exams. Do you want to be an ‘A’ student? Why? What do you have to do to get there, and are you prepared to invest the time and effort to do so?
These are important questions that will shape your study strategy in significant ways. Ask yourself as well if your goals are realistic - if in doubt, get a second or third opinion from your parents and teachers.
After three terms, you should have some idea where you stand with each of your individual subjects (you should be concerned if you do not have an idea).
With the limited time you have at your disposal, you have to allocate it wisely if you want to be at your most prepared for your final exams.
Firstly, you are not equally competent in all your subjects, and you should be spending more time on your weaker subjects, especially if you are counting on the heavier weightage of the final exams to pull up your final grade.
Secondly, not all subjects are created equal. Studying for a content-heavy subject like Science is very different from studying for a skills-oriented subject like English, and you have to factor this into your time allocation too.
Every student knows he or she should “start early”, but few end up doing so.
You want to be among the few who start preparing weeks in advance slowly and steadily, who avoid cramming at the last minute, and who arrive in school well-rested and relaxed on the day of the exam.
One of the benefits of starting your revision early is that it gives you the flexibility to switch up your study routine.
This in turn helps you avoid getting stuck in a rut or burning out from concentrating too intensely on a single subject in the last days or hours before the exam. As we have mentioned, you study differently for different subjects. Use this variety to your advantage to keep your brain nimble, alert and responsive to the challenges ahead.
You always want to be paying attention in class, but doing so becomes even more important during this final stretch, because much of your time in class will involve reviewing past material and content.
By actively listening and taking notes, you increase your chances of retaining the information being covered and save yourself time you would otherwise have spent outside of the classroom going over the same material to make sure you understand it.
Again, with time at a premium in Term 4, maximising the time you have is a no-brainer.
Another important thing to remember is that you don’t have to go it alone in the lead-up to your final examinations.
Your teachers, both in school and at The Learning Lab, will be more than happy to provide you with advice, guidance and instructions on how best to approach your revision. You only have to ask.
While the chances are that your teachers will be aware of your weak areas or struggles with a certain subject, don’t leave any room for doubt or expect your teachers to read your mind.
Go straight to them, take the initiative to voice your concerns and schedule one-on-one consultations. This way, you get exactly the help you need.
The Learning Lab is now at 8 locations. Find a location that suits your needs.
If you have any questions about our range of programmes or class schedules, you may contact us at 6733 8711 or drop us an email at enquiry@thelearninglab.com.sg.
You will have heard of the saying "when the going gets tough, the tough get going". But even the toughest warrior stops going anywhere if he or she is not getting enough rest.
So remember to take both regular short breaks in between your study sessions, and pencil in on your schedule hours or even a day during the weekend to relax and decompress.
Most students envision exam preparation as a largely solitary process for a good reason: studying with friends is not always a good idea when you end up chatting and distracting each other.
But if you and your friends or classmates are willing to be disciplined, studying together can be mutually beneficial for everyone. Try structuring your group study sessions by having each person take turns to explain concepts to the rest of the group.
You will find that, in order to "teach" your friends, you will need to have a good understanding of what you are talking about. And if you don't, that's when getting some help from a friend who does understand can come in handy!
How better to prepare for the final exams than to practise under as close to actual conditions as possible?
Your teachers (and perhaps parents too) will undoubtedly be giving you practice papers in Term 4 for you to complete, but there is a big difference between completing the paper under the same timed conditions as the exam and completing it in three sittings between watching YouTube and scrolling TikTok while music blares in the background.
Simulating exam conditions is especially important for subjects that require you to write essays, because you have to learn how to pace yourself so that you don't leave too little time for the later questions.
Time is of the essence in Term 4 and to perform at your best for your final exams you will have to maximise the time at your disposal and prepare in the optimal fashion.
At The Learning Lab, we are here to help you through the final stretch in all the areas that matter, from lesson content to exam skills to planning out study routines. Don't be afraid to reach out to your teachers!
Click here to find out more about how our teachers can effectively and efficiently gear your child up for his or her end-of-year assessments.
The Learning Lab is now at 8 locations. Find a location that suits your needs.
If you have any questions about our programmes, please email us at enquiry@thelearninglab.com.sg or call us at 6733 8711 and we will be happy to assist you.
(+65) 6733 8711
enquiry@thelearninglab.com.sg
