Time to cram

“No matter how much I study, I just can’t remember.”

“I write everything yet I am not getting marks!”

Is this you and your thoughts before and after the exams? You are not alone! I was in your shoes, feeling the same emotions and questioning my grades and at times even my knowledge base. As you are reading this, the same feelings may be swallowing you, but worry not we got you covered!

In an era of “instant” let’s not beat around the bush and jump right into the topic of how to address the above issue. I am sure we can’t change the ground rule which is to study, but we surely can find efficient ways to address exams holistically. Brace yourself and let’s make ourselves exam proof!

“I just can’t remember.”

I am guilty of saying this common statement multiple times. So how can we improve upon this? First, we must break down what we cannot remember. Are we being information-loaded or stress-loaded? Both information and stress can hinder us from remembering important topics. Everything we read is not required information, so how do we filter what is needed and what is not?

This step begins in the classroom. Listen closely to topics that are stressed upon, repeated, and at times, the teachers give a hint of important portions. Focus on those. But then again, who doesn’t feel drowsy in a class, especially after lunch and we can miss out on a lot, so what do we do now? This is where one pulls out the syllabus and uses it as a filter.

By now you must be thinking, “So how does this help me remember what I am studying?” Well, when you are aware of what you are studying, your brain processes it faster, helping you understand and thereby remember. This ultimately reduces stress, and reduced stress means increased brain functioning. It’s a win-win situation.

Talking about classrooms, are you aware that more often than not students score less because they are inattentive in the classroom? Teachers tend to drop nuggets of hints before the exams like a treasure hunt, hence be alert and keep your ears open.

Then again you could counter-argue and say, “Our teacher does no such thing.” Then the next best thing is to keep your eyes open. When you are presented with your question paper, follow the rule of 3. What’s that you ask?

The rule of 3 is basically Read, Re-read, and Reconsider.

1. You read the question paper and get the gist of it.

2. Then you re-read and choose the question you can attempt.

3. Now you reconsider the questions depending upon the marks assigned and how much you think you can score.

The first two steps are easy to understand but the third step is the crux of cracking the question paper and scoring better. Once you select a question, reconsider it with the given score.

An example:

1. “What is sociology? Briefly explain Marxist Theory and how is it applicable in contemporary times with an example. 4+8”

2. “Briefly explain Marxist Theory and how is it applicable in contemporary times with an example. 12”

Which will be a better question to answer? If you chose 1, you’ve already cracked the code! Always opt for questions with broken scores for the chances of scoring better. This will require time, so give yourself the first five minutes to devour the question paper, and once you’ve made up your mind, start writing the answers.

But the biggest roadblock to scoring better is sadly not understanding the question. The question could be, “Elucidate on strength-based theory in contemporary times of working with women in tribal communities while mentioning the crux of the theory.”  Here if the students write 2 pages of strength-based theory and 1 paragraph on its relevance to women in tribal communities, the student will score less. Understanding the main task of the question is crucial, hence you follow the 3Rs.

I did tell you information overload causes the brain to crash hence let’s just hold on to this bite-size information and customize it according to our liking and needs. Look at your exam and the process of it as a game; a puzzle that can be played with various strategies. But in all this always remember James chapter one and do not forget to ask wisdom and knowledge from God. A man who sows will reap during the harvest, so let’s get sowing.

Anugrah Lepcha