Amidst the exam preparation season, here are a few tips that might help life science students!
- Practice the process of chunking
Revising big chunks of information is an extremely unproductive form of revision. Instead, we must break down each module’s content into smaller chunks and those smaller chunks can be further subdivided and rearranged into a suitable chronology. This will allow you to work with big quantities of information more efficiently.
– While doing this, use tools like flashcards or spider diagrams. These will allow you to retain the key information with sensible interconnectivity.
- Create a plan
This will allow you to use your time efficiently and at the same time prioritize the topics. I prefer using the blocking method.
- Use diffuse and focused thinking
Sometimes we tend to focus on a particular set of data without allowing ourselves to look at the bigger picture. Thinking and learning are active processes and hence you cannot simply block them into revision slots. Allow yourself to think about a particular problem (that you are finding difficult) outside your usual study slots, this will allow you to practice diffuse thinking and work your way through the problem!
- The Pomodoro technique (as per your concentration span)
According to this technique, one should identify the topic they want to revise and revise for a span that suits your concentration span (45 mins for example), followed by a 10-15 mins break. This will allow you to stay focused in those 45 mins and the 15 mins break will act as a reward – giving your brain the time to process the information and allowing it to cool down before the next revision secession.
- Look at your bigger picture!
Although revision is done with a focus on exams, it is important to remind ourselves that we have a bigger goal in mind! Don’t just revise for the sake of exams, revise to truly understand the material (this will help you work more efficiently towards your purpose, where this exam is just one small step towards it)!
Best of luck with your exams and I hope you found some of the tips useful!