Maybe you covered a couple of extra shifts at work, maybe sports took up more time than you expected or maybe you are just a procrastinator, who put off studying for too long.
Whatever the reason is, time is running out and you need to cram a lot of information into your head in very little time.
Last minute cramming is not a recommended way of studying and early preparation is always the best way to obtain good grades. For most students it is hard to store large quantities of information in a short period of time, which is the essence of cramming. But when the damage is already done and there is no time to beat your self up, a few simple steps can help you retain more information during a last minute cramming session.
Pick a Time of Day to Study
Some people study best at 4 a.m. and some study best in the afternoon. You probably already know what time of day or night you get the most out of hitting the books, so don’t try to study at midnight, if you know you wont remember a thing at that hour. You can only cram so much and trying to study when your mind and body needs to rest is as worthless as putting your textbook under the pillow in the hopes that information will leak through to your head.
Don’t Try to Cover Everything
There is no way to memorize all the information covered in an exam by cramming, so pick areas in which you feel you know or remember the least. Trying to cover everything will kick your mind into overload and chances are you won't remember anything.
Study With Others
You are probably not the only one stressing over the exam and the lack of time to study for it. Meet with one of you fellow procrastinators for a couple of hours to compare notes and ask questions about the subjects you are uncertain in.
Instructors will often ask questions that can’t be found in the textbooks just to ensure that students attend lectures. Your classmates might have caught something you missed and the other way around.
Take Breaks
Taking breaks is most important during a cramming session. Without breaks, cramming is worthless. Go for a walk, call a friend or eat a snack. Do something to get your mind away from the books for a few minutes. Find your limit for how long you can study without loosing focus. When your mind starts to wander, it’s time to take a short break.
For more on how to optimize study time read Identify Your Learning Style-Kinesthetic, Visual and Auditory are Different Ways to Learn and Ways to Improve Study Habits-Easy Steps to Better Grades.
