HINTS FOR PROPER EXAMINATION PREPARATIONS.

     Preparing for examinations seems to be the pinnacle of any academic prospects you might be pursuing, indeed it is! Examination serves as a path to another step in the educational systems, tho a lot might argue it not to be the true test of knowledge, reality is you have to still take these examinations to show yourself approved and worth the honour to be bestowed on you, be it a degree or a title, you'll earn it. 

Crude systems can have it that the more you read or the bulk of work you are able to cover will ascertain that you are ready for an examination, well one is never prepared enough for an examination. The hours of rigorous studying won't defend you if your results speak otherwise. You shouldn't study hard alone, study smart, that's when you can go beyond what the examiner would even have in mind. 

   The positive side is the proper preparation and access to information every student gets before the examination takes place. 

Here, you have ten tips that can help you prepare well for your examination.

📌 Set Goals: Most students do not have a target result they would love to achieve at the end of a semester or session. It is mere deceit to come up with marks in your head. Set SMART goals! Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Time Based Goals! Put them down and do not journey without a compass.

📌 Time Management: This is a vital skill every student must possess. Preparations for examinations should begin at least a month to the period of examination. Give yourself enough time to study. When the examination period is near, don't engage in time consuming activities which do not align with your primary purpose in your place of study. Prepare a schedule to follow for your reading plans. Have a timetable. You're never too old to table the courses you'll read with the time you'll cover them. Have a study routine that is time bound.

📌 Practice old Questions: This will help you familiarize yourself with the way the questions for each subjects and courses are presented. There is a very low percentage that you'll find those exact questions in your examination but the pattern is most likely to be repeated. This also helps you get accustomed to how the lecturer sets the questions. If you have studied your lecturers well, you'll know what they want you to put down for them. Take note of it. 

📌 Explain to Others: You might have heard the myth where they say you'll lose what you have read if you tell it to someone else. Well, you should not dwell in fallacies. Gather people, explain what you have read. Explain to your friends and siblings. This will help you understand better what you have read and as well task your brain to recall. You can as well organize study groups for exchange of information. This will help you reach parts you could not cover. 

📌Eat good food and rest well when preparing for examinations: Eat food such as fish, nuts, seeds, fruits and vegetables. Avoid coffee and take tea instead. Drink enough water as well. Make sure to eat before going for any examination. Your brain needs enough glucose. Do not take marathon study sessions if you have not rested well. Make sure to have at least 5-6 hours of sleep and take a nap when you feel tired. You can take a shower if you have an headache and you rest afterwards. 

📌 Breaks during long study hours: Do not read for long hours at a stretch. After about an hour, stand up, take a walk, try to recall all you have read. Do not assume you have understood it and you keep moving on. Test yourself periodically. Make sure you understand what you are reading and you are able to give back what you have read. 

📌 Study Interestingly: This is best if you start preparing early for exams. Use of youtube videos for topics that seem complex, use of flowcharts and diagrams, get video lessons and extract knowledge from them all. Study with all your five senses. Look at pictures and watch videos. If practicals are done, pay attention and participate. Do you notice you learn the lyrics of a song after listening to it about five times? Great! Study with your listening skill. Garther the points in a topic, record it and listen to it over and over again while you are busy doing something else. You do not have enough time to study, but you can make time work for you. Make use of colour pens and markers, highlight points and take notes. 

📌 Organization: As a student, you should be able to organize all you do. Organize your study space. Do not pile books and notes roughly on your table. Leaving different books lying around is not a sign that you are studying well, it only implies that you have not organized all the information you thought you have digested. As well, make sure you organize all that you need for examinations. If the requirement is a pen, go with two, of the same colours. Do not forget any entry permit you'll need, print all necessary documents. You might want to drop your mobile phone at home. 

📌 Avoid distractions: You might want to read in a very quiet area if you can assimilate better that way. Avoid distractions from your mobile phones or social media. Take a break from it all. During your examinations, avoid unnecessary discussions that might interfere with what you have read. After your examinations as well, if you still have to take another paper, do not indulge in talks about what you got right or wrong in the previous paper. This can reduce your morale and affect your next paper. FOCUS!

📌 PRAY: Before studying and after studying, ensure you pray. Pray for directions, wisdom, knowledge, understanding, strength, inspiration and peace of mind, free from doubts and fear. You can as well take affirmations to put you in a right state of mind.

You can use these bible verses as references when you want to pray for an examination. 

🔥Daniel 1:17-20

🔥 Philippians 4:7 and 13

🔥Proverbs 4:7-8

🔥Psalm 119: 66 and 143

🔥 Proverbs 2:6

🔥 Proverbs 3:5-6

"Keep your dreams alive. Understand that to achieve anything requires faith and believe in yourself, vision, hard work, determination, and dedication. Remember all things are possible for those who believe.”

― Gail Devers, American Olympic champion in track and Field.

SUCCESS!

©️ OLUFAYO, Ebunoluwa Oluwafunmilola.