Is it really possible to improve your memory?
Yes, it is! There are many things you can do to improve exam memory.
1. Maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Get plenty of sleep. This one is pretty obvious, but it’s worth repeating. Getting a good night’s sleep before an exam will help you to feel more alert and focused on the day of the test.
Eat a healthy breakfast. Starting your day with a nutritious meal will help to fuel your brain and body for the day ahead. Include some protein and complex carbohydrates in your breakfast to keep your energy levels up.
Get plenty of exercise. Exercise has been shown to improve brain function. Taking a break from studying to go for a walk or run can actually help you to remember information better. So, make sure to take some time out for physical activity during exam period.
2. Create a study schedule and stick to it.
Breaking up your study time into manageable chunks will help you retain information better. Don’t try to cram everything in at the last minute. Start studying early and give yourself time to review the material several times.
Get rid of distractions when you’re studying. Turn off your phone, log out of social media, and find a quiet place to focus.
Take breaks when you need them. Studying for long periods can be tiring and counter-productive. Your brain needs time to process and store information. To improve exam memory, get up and stretch your legs, have a healthy snack, or take a power nap to refresh yourself. Relaxing activities such as yoga, reading, or listening to music can help to reduce stress and improve your mood.
3. Organize and structure.
Researchers have found that information is organized in memory in related clusters. Try grouping similar concepts and terms together. So, if you can link new information to something you already know, you’re more likely to remember it.
Organize your notes in a way that makes sense to you. This will help you find the information you need quickly when you’re studying. Make connections between what you’re learning and real life. This will help your brain to better remember the material.
Visualize the information you are studying. Pay attention to the images, charts, and other graphics in the text books. Alternatively, create your own visual aids to help you recall information. Even making flashcards for concepts you need to remember can help cement the information in your memory.
4. Try different study methods.
Some students prefer to study with flashcards while others like to listen to audio recordings of the material. Researches suggest that reading out loud helps remember the concepts better and improves exam memory.
Also teaching concepts to a friend or study partner helps enhance understanding and recall. Experiment with different methods to find the ones that work best for you and stick with it.
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5. Rehearse and revise.
Take practice quizzes and exams. This will help you to get used to the format of the exam and the type of questions that will be asked. Many textbook publishers provide online quizzes that you can use to test your knowledge. Taking practice quizzes will also help you to identify any areas where you need to focus your studies.
Practice elaborative rehearsal. This involves linking the new information to something you already know. For example, if you’re trying to remember a list of vocabulary words, create a story that uses those words. Revise what you studied last evening. Spend a few minutes in the morning every day reviewing the information you studied the previous night. This will help to keep the information fresh in your mind.
Review the material one last time just before the exam. This final review will help to jog your memory and remind you of the important concepts. Try not to spend too much time on this though. You don’t want to overwhelm yourself with information just before the exam.
6. Be positive and believe in yourself.
Having confidence in your abilities will help you to relax and do your best on the exam. Remember that you have studied hard and you are prepared. Believe in yourself and trust that you will do well.
Develop a growth mindset. Believe that everyone can get better at whatever they do, and improve through hard work and learning from mistakes.
Do you have other study hacks to improve exam memory? Share with us in the comments below.
