The Sunday News
Evaluating your efforts
It is very important for you to always keep track of your exam preparation efforts. There should be improvement in understanding and exam skills as the exam time draws nearer. If there is no positive improvement, it is good for you to stop and revise your strategies before it is too late. Go through your exam preparation plan and examine your weaknesses. By fixing your challenges early you avoid last minute panic. You can adopt the following approach to checking your progress:
Always monitor your exam preparation plan. Ensure that you are adhering to the time allocation for each task. Try to avoid the temptation of dwelling too much on one task at the expense of others.
Draw an examination requirements checklist. The checklist will guide you regarding the nature of exam you will sit for, the venue, the dates and duration of exams, the material needs of the exam, and the way you will allocate your time to individual questions.
Attempt progress tests as a way of evaluating your progress. Progress tests may only cover specific topics. Try to draw these progress tests from your question bank.
Depending on the proximity of the exam, you may try a full test that covers all topics. Try to do this under conditions and time similar to the exam to be written finally.
You may need your supervisor to cross check the answers that you write. You may end up realising that some of the answers that you thought were correct could be wrong. If the supervisor is not immediately available, you can cross-check your answers using your study materials or lecture notes.
Failing to meet deadlines
A multiplicity of factors causes students to fail to meet their preparation deadlines. In the presence of an exam preparation plan, nothing should stop you from meeting your timelines except procrastination. They say, “Procrastination is a thief of time”. Never say that you will do a task later when you are supposed to do it now.
Certain factors cause you to procrastinate:
Failure to manage your time.
Being overwhelmed by other activities.
Lack of interest in your studies.
Inability to set and meet your own standards.
Trying to evade difficult tasks.
Trying to do too many tasks at a time.
Lack of independence in decision making.
Be determined to deal with procrastination and you will succeed. First, cultivate interest in your own studies. You can do this by looking at the joy that comes with you graduating from one academic level to another. Second, learn to manage your time by breaking down your tasks into manageable tasks with realistic deadlines. Third, learn to make independent decisions by setting yourself realistic standards.
As alluded to earlier on about preparation progress evaluation, it is good for you to observe signs of procrastination early so that you can seek help before it is too late. In case of persistence of procrastination you should seek special assistance. You can visit the Student Counselling Services department of your institution or talk to your academic supervisors.
Enhancing concentration
When preparing for an examination, you should always be alert even if there is plenty of time before you write it. There are many strategies that you can apply to enhance your concentration and hence sustain your understanding. These include:
Taking regular breaks. The length of the break varies from individual to individual. It thus, depends on your concentration span. With practice timing yourself, you can determine the size of your breaks.
You may choose to switch between tasks. Certain tasks or topics require less concentration that others and thus you can use them to ease your tension.
If worrying is your problem then, set aside “worry time” every day. This helps you to concentrate when you have to.
Partition your day in a way that you set tasks requiring more concentration at moments when you feel fresh. You may also choose study venues that support a certain level of concentration.
Relaxation
Examination preparation is usually associated with a lot of anxiety and hence stress. It is not uncommon to experience stress and fatigue. However, you should be able to manage your situation so that you can concentrate on your work. The most important thing for you to do is therefore to learn to relax. Relaxation plays a very important role in improving your wellbeing and task performance. You should choose the right place and time to relax. You may choose to close your mind and avoid your mind wondering. Breathe deeply in and exhale slowly. Repeat the process and you may find yourself feeling good.
Succeed in your next examination!
Eugine Makaya (PhD) is a university lecturer, researcher and author. Feedback: [email protected] or WhatsApp +263773208002
