5 Tips to Make Exam Season Easier
Exams can be tricky. There is no doubt about that. The percentage of your grade they represent can look daunting, and the cumulative nature of the tests can seem challenging. However, with the right mindset and tools, the exam-writing process can be calmer than you think. Here are 5 tips on how to make exam season easier.
#1 Get lots of rest
This is fairly standard advice, but it holds true. While it may be tempting to try and pull an "all-nighter", research actually shows that a consistent sleep schedule is linked to a higher GPA.
#2 Study smarter, not harder
While it can be tempting to cram in as much information as possible, it is often better to study what you need to know. Look over your notes, highlight the important topics and features, and work from there. If you need help, studying in a group (if allowed by your instructor) is a great way to prepare for exams.
#3 Ask For Assistance if You Need It
Accommodations exist in many schools, both K-12 and Higher-Ed. That's why it's important to make sure you have the right supports in place before writing an exam if you feel you need them. Talk to your instructors, guidance councillors and resource teachers and find out if there are any accommodations that might help you. While it may be a little late to ask for significant accommodations now, it's important to get the ball rolling for future exams.
Also worth noting, our WordQ Desktop and Chrome solutions come with a built-in Exam Mode. This can help make reading and writing easier during the exams while meeting the needs of your instructors. Find out more about exam mode in our blog post "Exam Mode: Making WordQ Accessible During Finals".
#4 Come Prepared
Make sure that you have everything you need. Pencils, rulers, pens, laptops, calculators, study sheets, etc. You may not have the chance to leave the room to get these. It's also never a bad call to bring multiples of each in case one breaks/runs out of ink/etc.
Not sure what you are allowed to bring? Ask your instructor!
#5 Have Something to Look Forward To
Exams can be stressful, but having something to look forward to can help make them easier. In the case of the author of this article, he always would buy tickets to a movie after his last exam. That way, he always would have a moment to relax after exams.
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Exams can be tricky, but with these 5 tips, they can be easier than you think. For more educational tips and tricks, as well as some updates on our suite of solutions, visit quillsoft.ca/blog and/or subscribe to the Quillsoft Updates newsletter on LinkedIn. Best of luck in the exam season!