how to STUDY FOR AN EXAM in 3 days and SCORE A+ (exam hacks you didn't know)

Summary

In this video, the creator shares last-minute study tips for open-book exams, emphasizing efficient time management and active recall techniques. Key advice includes organizing notes into searchable PDFs, prioritizing tasks, and modifying model answers to avoid plagiarism. The creator also suggests using tools like Notion for quick learning, utilizing YouTube captions to save time, and preparing selectively for the exam. Bonus tips include sleeping in uncomfortable places to help wake up and avoiding all-nighters before the exam. The video is lighthearted, relatable, and packed with practical advice for students facing tight study deadlines.

Takeaways

• 😀 Use open-book exam strategies: Compile all your notes and lecture slides into one giant PDF for easy searching during the exam.
• 😀 Time management is key: Prioritize tasks and separate them into what must be completed and what can be done if time permits.
• 😀 Active recall enhances retention: Regularly test yourself on the material to reinforce learning and avoid forgetting after long study sessions.
• 😀 Plan your study schedule: Divide the material to study over several days and break it down into manageable chunks for each day.
• 😀 Use Notion for efficient studying: Create a list of questions and answers for quick revision during your study sessions, and hide answers to test yourself.
• 😀 Last-minute revisions: Focus on key points marked for quick revision before your exam, and avoid overloading your review with unnecessary material.
• 😀 Modify model answers: After doing practice papers, customize your answers to fit your understanding to avoid plagiarism during the exam.
• 😀 Focus on textbook objectives: Pay attention to the learning objectives at the start of each chapter, as they are likely to appear in the exam.
• 😀 Speed up videos and use captions: Speed up lectures or videos to save time, and use captions or transcripts for quicker comprehension.
• 😀 Minimize procrastination: If you're prone to procrastination, try to start your study sessions earlier and avoid all-nighters the night before your exam.
• 😀 Sleep in uncomfortable places: If you struggle waking up early, try sleeping somewhere uncomfortable to help you wake up and stay productive.

Q & A

What is the first thing you should do for an open-book exam?

The first thing you should do is compile all your notes, lecture slides, and past exam papers into one large PDF file. This allows you to quickly search for answers during the exam using the 'command+F' function.

How can you manage your time effectively when studying for multiple exams in a short time frame?

To manage your time effectively, list everything you need to accomplish and separate tasks into two categories: must-do tasks and optional tasks if you have extra time. Prioritize the most important tasks and work through them systematically.

What is the best strategy for revising on the morning of the exam?

On the morning of the exam, review only the key points that you have specifically marked for quick revision. Be selective and don't try to go over everything at the last minute.

What method is recommended for quick learning and memorization?

The fastest way to learn is through active recall. Instead of just reading the material, form questions from your notes, and try to answer them from memory. You can use apps like Notion to organize these questions and answers for easier revision.

How can you make your revision more efficient if you’re short on time?

If you’re short on time, focus on summarizing each chapter's key points onto a single page for each topic. This way, you can quickly refer to important information without wasting time flipping through multiple pages during the exam.

What is the importance of modifying your answers after doing practice papers?

Modifying your answers after doing practice papers helps ensure that you are not simply copying model answers, which can lead to plagiarism. It also ensures that your answers are in your own words and better prepared for the exam.

How can you find relevant information faster when watching lecture videos?

To find relevant information quickly in lecture videos, turn on captions or transcripts and use the search function ('command+F') to locate specific keywords. This is much faster than watching the entire video.

What is a good strategy to make sure you retain what you’ve studied?

A good strategy to ensure retention is to take regular breaks and quiz yourself on what you’ve learned so far. Active recall after every hour of study helps reinforce your memory.

What unconventional tip is suggested for staying alert during study sessions?

An unconventional tip is to sleep in an uncomfortable place. This can help you wake up more easily and avoid the temptation to sleep in too long, making it easier to start studying.

Why is it important to focus on the objectives listed at the beginning of each chapter during revision?

The objectives listed at the beginning of each chapter or lecture slide are typically the most important topics for the exam. Focusing on them increases the likelihood that you'll be prepared for questions that are based on these core concepts.