Time Management Hacks to Help You Prepare Better for Competitive Exams

Time and tide wait for none. Who understands this better than students studying for their competitive exams that are right round the corner! If you learn to organize your time for course preparation, then passing a vital exam is not something that is that difficult to achieve.

If you understand this, you can handle the tests that you will have to take in life better. This is because taking tests does not necessarily end when your school days are over with.

Effective utilization of time is a crucial factor when studying for exams since you can accomplish more in a given period of time. Here are some stellar time management concepts that you may find helpful in so many aspects of life and certainly when dealing with academic tests.

Organize Your Schedule Wisely
You have to be organized. Being organized helps clear confusion, alleviates stress, and helps you manage your time better.

• Chart out the time that goes into sleeping, eating, exercising, shopping, using social media, and so on. This will give you a fair idea about the time you are left with for studying.
• Try to figure out if you can cut out some things that you perhaps really do not have to do.
• Now, write down the number of preparation days left and the total number of topics that have to be covered.
• For each day, assign a fixed number of hours to eating, sleeping, and exercising (the fundamentals) and assign the rest of the time to studying.
• Now you have built a winning schedule.

Prioritize and Set Goals
Once you start to follow this schedule, you should see your grades improve and you will be better prepared for finals. Segregate your school work into three categories: the hardest class, the classes that are challenging but where you have a firm grasp on the subject, and the course you perceive to be the easiest.

Work on the toughest topics the most. Simultaneously, make quick, crisp notes which will come in handy during this studying process. You do not have to study that much for the easiest class but you still need to devote some time to it; that professor is still going to challenge you in some way. Work your schedule so that you understand this topic but leave more time for the topics that you know are perhaps more critical for your major/career and that are more difficult for you to handle.

Some people are weak in science and math for instance. If that is the case for you, then you know you need to spend more time on these topics since failure is not an option.

Make sure you stick to this schedule and so you can accomplish your goals and do well in finals week. Treat yourself with a muffin or a slice of pizza after every successful goal accomplishment! You have to eat! And of course, while you study, mix in some occasional yet limited breaks to refresh and re-energize yourself. Go play some basketball if you want. No compromises on your power naps, sleep, and diet. Though you can have a treat once in a while.

Assess and Revise
Track and assess your scheduled goals’ table with the targets achieved in the given time frame. If you are able to satisfy your study regimen by 80 percent or more, pat yourself on the back for sticking to it. If not, then brace yourself since you have some improvements to make.

You may alter your schedule to conveniently make up for the delay. You should know that wasting time watching TV, spending time on social media sites, or irrelevant phone calls may hurt you.  Stay committed so they do not overpower your focus, at least for a few days!

You can take some mock tests to see where you stand. Using 3×5 note cards for studying purposes is very helpful. You can use these cards while waiting for your food to warm up or if you are standing in a line somewhere.

Refresh and Relax
Last but not least, in light of all this studying pressure, you need to remain calm and relax.

A recently developing body of multidisciplinary research illustrates that refreshing activities including working out, book reading, music (playing an instrument or listening, you can listen to some music when driving, working out, or when waiting in some line), short afternoon naps, and meditation boost productivity and enhance learning capabilities. Though you may not have time for any pleasure reading when studying for some tests, it is fantastic to read throughout the year.

This plan of action and time management guideline will do wonders if followed appropriately for your entrance exam preparation. Now you can rest easy since you have a plan!

And no matter how much you want to relax and watch a movie (not Star Wars: The Force Awakens, you do not need to waste your time with that movie, you will probably be disappointed) and/or hang out with your friends, you can do this after your test taking. You will deserve a break and some rest since you have been working hard up and until now. Relaxing at certain times throughout life is essential to healthy living.

Written by Benjamin Roussey

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