6 Simple Ways To Prepare Yourself For Malta’s Exam Season

They’re coming, and they’re coming fast. 

With exams on the horizon, Maltese students across the island have begun to nervously fret about trying to study. Admittedly, you probably should be taking this time to study, but if you’re looking for inspiration (read: help), we’re here for you. 

Here’s a few tips that could help you tackle your exams in a calmer and more organised manner. Good luck. 

Studying

1. Make a plan

Start with when your exams are, but then move onto the subjects you are supposed to study and the chapters you need to go through on a daily basis. This will help put your mind at ease. 

You should be able to make sure you have enough time to go through every topic, and make sure you understand the entirety of the subject. 

2. Write Notes

Duh. 

Research has shown that 47% of what you learn is forgotten within the first 20 mins, 62% after the first 24 hours. “Shit,” we hear you gasp, but don’t worry.

Taking notes helps us remember what we’re learning more. Even more than that, when physically writing notes, you tend to think more deeply about the context of what is being written.

It’s not pretty and you might ruin a finger or two, but take it from us; stock up on pens and paper. 

3. Take breaks

Taking study breaks can have a positive impact on the time you spend studying. By giving your big old brain a moment to take its mind off working, you may end up feeling both rejuvenated, and refocused.  

By giving yourself 15 minutes away from the books to relax and think about other things, you may feel a bit more refreshed to look at (and understand) the problems you’re tackling. 

The Exam

4. Preparing your things early  

You know the rules. One transparent bag to carry only pencils, pens, rulers and sharpeners. Along with one non-programmable calculator if you need one. 

It’s never fun to stress over where you can find a transparent bag an hour before the exam, so have it all prepped. And make sure your calculator’s working. 

5. Keeping calm

It’s important to keep everything in perspective. The exam is not a reflection of you as a person. Investing too much of yourself into an exam will surely add to your anxiety and serve only to stress you out. If it’s an important exam, then the amount of attention you’ve given it up to this point should be enough to justify being calm during this last sprint. 

Take a deep breath, read through each question, and understand what the questions are asking from you. You can do this, just keep calm and collected and think of how it’s all going to be over in an hour or two.

6. In case of emergency, try anything and everything

Only resort to this step as a last resort.

You might not know the perfect answer to each and every questions, but you’ve always got a shot if you try. 

Give every question your best shot and try to answer all of them. Unless the exam has negative marking, in which case we’d recommend to tread carefully.

BONUS: Relief

One of the hardest things to do once you turn in your last paper is to remain calm and slowly walk out of the examination room without fisting the air and letting out a shout.  

Be mentally prepared for the hundreds of questions and cross references your friends will be asking and going over to make sure everyone got the same answers correct.  

What’s done is done now, enjoy your well-deserved break / get ready for your next exam!

Tag someone who needs to start studying!

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