Reviewing for your exams can be stressful. You need a lot of hard work (and a lot of time!) to cram all the information you need to learn inside your head. While hard work is obviously one of the most important things a student should have to get better scores in exams and better grades, these days working hard isn't enough. You also need to work "smart". Knowing where to work hard can make all the differences. As the exam week approach, here are some scientifically proven tips that I tried and I am still using until now on how to ace your exams like a boss (without getting #Stressedt)

YUP. You just read it. Start your review from Day 1. What I am trying to say is, study EVERY DAY. I know you think it's awful because you have to study every day but you don't really have to study the whole day. Alot an hour or two in reading your notes or reading in advance. This will make all your next review sessions easier as this technique helps you to retain all the information that you have read.

Being present in class every day is very important. Being present in class allows you to study easily and ask questions from your teachers for clarification. Of course, your presence is not enough. Make sure you listen to the lecture too. As much as possible, if you can choose where to sit in class, sit at the front. This will help you to hear the teacher clearly and concentrate on the lessons. 

3. Take down notes!

This is actually one of the most effective techniques that I've been using since I was in Grade 4 (I am not kidding here. I developed good study habits at a very young age so..). It has been proven that writing things down can help us remember the important stuff. Before I used to take down notes on a separate notebook but currently I am trying out a technique I saw on youtube where you take notes using post-it notes, colored pens, and highlighters.

You can also create headings, subheadings, and table of contents to find the topics that you need to review easily. Add some symbols, doodles, and acronyms that will help you remember certain topics.

4. Keep a Planner.

Keeping a planner helped me a lot in keeping track of the things that I should do for the day, the week, and the rest of the month. As much as possible, assign a certain color for certain activities like a review session, met-ups, deadlines, etc.

D-21 (3 weeks before the exams)

1. Finalize your notes! 

Make sure that all of your notes are complete by this time so that reviewing will be easier. If you don't like taking notes, you can highlight important details and insert keywords that will remind you the summary of that certain paragraph or part of the lesson.

2. Finalize your study schedule and test schedule.

Finish all your projects and other deadlines so your attention and focus wouldn't be diverted to other things aside from your exams. Start making your final review schedule after you finalize your test schedule.

3. Start reviewing, one lesson at a time.

Start reviewing your past lessons. Modify your notes from time to time if you have too. Remember that the smallest details matter too like how, why, what is the result, what is the reason and others.

D-3 (3 days before the exams)

2. Review! Review! Review! 

Review each subject according to their order. (Day 1 of review sessions= Day 1 Exam subjects). In this part, you have to review like you will have your exams tomorrow. If you always cram in reviewing, it's not the kind of review that I was talking about right now. You have to review the lessons from the biggest details to the smallest details. Don't just review the definitions. As much as possible, do not review using your reviewer. Although it is indeed easier to review, it doesn't have all the information related to the lessons (it's more on definitions and can only be useful in enumeration and meaning-based exams). Make some quiz cards if you have time. These quiz cards consists of possible exam questions that you have to answer the day before your exam.

D-1 (The day before the exam)

1. Read, understand, and do not memorize.

Memorizing will only make you forget more things. Instead of memorizing, read your notes (which is a summarized version of your material) then recite what you have just read. Do not use the exact words written on your notes except for some terms. You have to recite it based on your understanding. You can do this 3 to 4 times then move to the next lesson. You already reviewed the lesson for several times now so there's no need for you to memorize and spend more time on re-reading your notes. If you are already done with your review, answer the quiz cards that you made (either orally or written).

2. Stay away from your phone. Avoid distractions. 

3. Take short study breaks.

4. Go to sleep.

After reviewing, make sure to go to sleep. Your eyes and brain need to take a rest too for it to function well tomorrow. But if you are part of the #TeamNoSleep during exam days, take a nap. Although I still do good when I don't sleep (Not bragging. I'm just saying I am used to not going to bed on exam days), I do better when I take a nap. Remember, pushing yourself to your goals is different from pushing yourself to your limit.

D-DAY (The Exam Day)

Keep calm, pray and do your best. After you receive the test questionnaire, scan the test and find the easiest parts so you know where to move if you are having a hard time in answering the questions. If you are not sure of an answer, skip the question and proceed to the next questions. Check your answers before submitting your answer sheet. Review if you have time. Eat if you are hungry. Go to the bathroom if you need to go. Do not expect but know that you did your best.