Essay On My Preparation For Examination

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Essay on My Exams

          Over the course of the past eight years, I became obsessive regarding my education goals. One of the most beneficial skills developed through my journey was the ability to perform well on academic testing. I found there were unique strategies to overcome the obstacle of intellectual assessments regardless of my previous experience with the subject matter. There are a variety of relative skills that go into acing an exam. The most prominent of which I found to be proper study habits. These habits can be broken down into three main components. The environment, the mindset, and the activity.  These interdependent components can work in concert to advance anyone’s study and improve performance on exam day.

1. Environment

Preparation for the examination should be conducted in a quiet place free from distraction. The most ubiquitous distractions in most people’s lives are digital. Silence phones, block e-mail pop-ups, turn off televisions, and do whatever else is possible to eliminate digital distractions during a study session. If possible, try to mimic the environment in which the test will be taken. This will help with recall and train your brain to perform tasks under these specific circumstances. Another useful tool is to listen to Baroque period classical music when studying. Listening to Baroque music while studying can improve mental focus, recall, and attention to detail (Pieri). The temperature in the room should be comfortable. It should neither be too hot nor too cold or this can lead to a physiological distraction that diminishes capabilities. Seating is also extremely important. The chair should be comfortable, but not so comfortable that it incites sleep. The room should be well lit as eye strain can also lead to decreased focus and increased fatigue. Taking these steps to set up the appropriate environment prepares the body for the required state of mind necessary for effective study.

2. Mindset

Mental focus is paramount for the retention of concepts and the ability to successfully recall them. Interestingly, most of the crucial elements to improve mental focus and mindset occur well before the study session begins. These elements include proper sleep, diet, and exercise. It is recommended for students to obtain at least seven hours of sleep daily (Watson, et al.). If sleep-deprived, the mind experiences periods of fogginess and concentration becomes improbable. Many students attempt to gain benefits from the addition of supplements like Ginkgo Biloba, vitamin B, caffeine, L-theanine, or ginseng; however, the science is still inconclusive on their benefit for mental focus and memory support. It is more effective to eat a proper diet composed of balanced nutrition to helps maintain a vital memory and enhance studying capability. The third leg of the stool is physical activity. Exercise can help boost immune function, reduce mental fatigue, and increase awareness and focus while studying (Mandolesi, et al.). Perform moderate aerobic activity at least three times per week to reap the benefits of exercise during study sessions.

3. Activity

As young children most of us are taught to study diligently; however, very few people are ever taught how to study. An important lesson I learned was to utilize purposeful and specific tactics to emphasize the most crucial elements of a subject. One of the most vital things to do before taking any notes is to have a rough idea of what you are going to be studying. Start by reading the end-of-chapter quiz questions. It is also prudent to read section headers within each chapter for more guidance. If the source material is not a textbook, skim through each page and look for pictures or keywords throughout that might provide some reference points to focus on. After reviewing chapter questions or keywords, then take notes or come up with questions regarding the material. This method will make the reading process more active rather than passive which increases comprehension. Another useful tactic is to improve reading speed. Contrary to popular belief, speed readers tend to have higher levels of comprehension than average readers (Rayner, et al.). It is due to the increased level of focus required to speed read. As a comparison, consider the amount of focus it takes to drive a car 23 MPH vs. the focus necessary to drive a car 95 MPH. The higher speed requires intense focus while the slower speed allows the brain to wander and become distracted. The brain is a supercomputer capable of accomplishing far more than we usually ask of it. Increasing reading speed permits students to digest a larger amount of data in a shorter period with greater focus.

Conclusion

Preparation is the key to the successful accomplishment of missions. It is unfortunate that so much effort was put into teaching kids what to study instead of how to study throughout academic careers. It is akin to jumping out of a plane with or without a parachute. Having the parachute does not guarantee you will survive the experience, but it greatly enhances your chances. These study habits are that scholastic parachute. Study sessions should occur after receiving proper sleep, nutrition, and exercise. Studying is most effective in environments clear of digital and other forms of distraction to enhance focus. Lastly, they should incorporate elements of pre-study review to enable comprehensive attention to detail and concentration. There is no guarantee these study habits will ensure you perform well on all exams; however, they put your body and mind in the most advantageous state possible to improve memory, focus, and recall. Take my advice, if, given the opportunity, you should opt to bring the parachute.

 

Works Cited

 

Mandolesi, Laura et al. "Effects of Physical Exercise on Cognitive Functioning and Wellbeing: Biological and Psychological Benefits.” Frontiers in Psychology, Vol. 9, 509. 27 Apr. 2018

Pieri, Dayani A. (2017). "The Effect of Background Baroque Music on Work Accomplishment and Student Concentration on Days of Rapid Weather Changes”. The St. Catherine University Repository.

Rayner, Keith, et al. "So Much to Read, So Little Time: How Do We Read, and Can Speed Reading Help?” Psychological Science in the Public Interest, Vol. 17, No. 1, May 2016, pp. 4–34, doi:10.1177/1529100615623267. Accessed 07 August 2021

Watson, Nathaniel F et al. "Recommended Amount of Sleep for a Healthy Adult: A Joint Consensus Statement of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and Sleep Research Society.” Sleep, Vol. 38,6 843-4. 1 Jun. 2015, doi:10.5665/sleep.4716. Accessed 07 August 2021