By Sofiyah Omotolani, Hassan

I want to attain greater height. I want to be successful in my academics. I want to make my family proud. But are these words achievable by a mere word of mouth, or by action? No. For a student who intends to be successful in his academics, it is important to be conscious of time and develop effective study habits.

Preparing for examinations requires not just effort but also strategic planning. Without these, a student may struggle to meet academic expectations. Here are ten practical tips every student should note while preparing for an examination:

Procrastination: “Our exam is just next month, I can still do the reading later.” Students should avoid these habits, as this is a sign of failure. Start early and do not wait till the last minute.

Create a study plan: having a study plan, e.g, knowing what to read for the day and the amount of time you need to dedicate to it. This will help you manage your time, and it will help you know how well you have to do.

Knowing the exam system: Understanding the exam format will help you become familiar with the questions you will encounter in the exam you are preparing for. And it will greatly help to know the area to focus more on.

Making notes and summaries: forming notes in your own words will help you understand better than how it was taught.

Past question: studying with past materials helps to test yourself, and it will also reveal to you how far you’ve understood what you read.

Avoid distraction: during the reading process, you should do away with anything that can distract your attention, e.g, reading in a crowded place. This is totally wrong because you will focus on what is going on in the area rather than what you are actually reading.

Sharing what you have learnt: Teaching others what you have learnt helps to understand better.

Taking breaks: Avoid reading for a long time without a break. Taking a break will help to digest and retain a fresh memory, i.e, it will be easier to assimilate than to have a long period of reading without understanding.

Healthy rest: Resting well at night helps the brain to function properly during the examination period.

Cramming: relying on cramming (without understanding) during revision can distract your attention from understanding the actual content of the topic. Understanding is the key not by cramming without understanding.

These tips are not difficult to execute. If it is for students who want to attain their study goals, it is a success. There is an English adage that states, “If you fail to prepare, you prepare to fail”. Start early with strategic planning to avoid last-minute stress.