Ideally, everyone would complete their assignments and study for assessments well in advance. However, there will inevitably come a time when we push off our work just a little too much, sending us into a frenzy of last-minute studying. Whether life simply doesn’t allow you the time to prepare beforehand or you’re just a chronic procrastinator, knowing how to have an effective cram session can be invaluable for saving your grade.
First, create a good study plan, making sure to prioritize material that you’re unfamiliar with. Your teacher likely has some kind of syllabus or review guide detailing what content will be on the test. Focus on identifying and reviewing key concepts, and come back to smaller details if you have time. You should try to understand and memorize these core ideas before getting distracted by less important topics. Since you’re running short on time, you need to allocate your available time wisely. Set a target amount of time that you will spend on each main idea, and be realistic about what you can accomplish – if you know you can’t focus for extremely long periods of time, take some short breaks in between to refresh your mind.
Next, choose your study strategies wisely. Make sure they’re appropriate for what class you’re cramming for (e.g. doing practice problems is probably more useful than rereading your notes for a math class), and make sure that your strategy works for you. There are dozens of study techniques, ranging from using flashcards to the Feynman Technique, but not all of them are effective for every person. Try to use active learning techniques that require you to actively engage with the material, rather than just passively rereading or highlighting.
For conceptual classes (e.g. math, chemistry, etc.) that focus on understanding and applying material, try using practice questions, past papers, mind maps, and the Feynman Technique. If you get any practice questions incorrect, remember to figure out why you were incorrect and how you can avoid this mistake for the actual exam.
For more memorization-based classes (e.g. history, psychology, etc.) that focus on rote memorization, try using flashcards, summary pages with only the most important information, or the memory palace technique. Flashcards are often the easiest and most effective strategy for memorizing information, but it may not be appropriate if you spend too long making flashcards.
While you study, it’s important that you minimize distractions. Close any unnecessary tabs, turn off your phone, and find a quiet environment that you can properly focus in. However, remember to take breaks occasionally. It’s much more effective to take a quick break and give your mind some rest, instead of forcing yourself to study for hours on end, leading to burnout and less memory retention.
Finally, get a good night’s sleep – you won’t function well without it! Sleep is essential for processing memory and consolidating memories, and taking an exam while exhausted usually doesn’t end well.
While it’s certainly possible to do well on an exam after doing some last-minute cramming, it’s definitely not the best strategy. Sometimes cramming is unavoidable, but prioritize being a good student and developing a good work ethic. Good luck!
Sources:
- https://medschoolinsiders.com/study-strategies/how-to-cram-for-exams/
- https://studyright.net/blog/7-essential-steps-to-cram-for-an-exam-without-losing-your-mind/
- https://success.uark.edu/get-help/student-resources/effective-cram-session.php
Images:
- https://mylearningspringboard.com/much-learn-little-time-effective-cramming/
- https://www.wizeprep.com/blog/how-to-create-an-effective-study-schedule-cd5547c3-3ecf-4ad0-b19d-9ea5222f6b47
- https://todoist.com/inspiration/feynman-technique
- https://www.languagementoring.com/vocabulary-flashcards-for-language-learning/
- https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/sleep/getting-good-nights-sleep
