How do I prepare for my assessments

If you’re here, it’s because you need help preparing for exams/assessments and managing your stress! I have what you need, and I’ll explain how I do it.

1. Making notes for your lectures: an important step 

I create a mind map to brainstorm: it allows me to put all the knowledge I’ve acquired from a chapter, for example, down on a blank sheet of paper. Having a visual memory, I need to make mind maps or flashcards. I try my best to stick to my color-coding system (important concepts, examples, course content, formulas, dates, etc.) while being careful not to end up with a rainbow of notes, which can be more confusing than helpful.

To properly exercise my brain (yes, it’s a muscle! It needs to work like the others), I’ve set up a little routine:

• – I take a blank sheet of paper. No drawings, no colors. Then, I write down everything I’ve remembered from the lesson (formulas, definitions, dates, examples, anecdotes…) to see where I stand with my revision and learning. I do this step using only one color, blue, for example.
• – Then, I go back to my lesson, my exercise,s and everything related to my course,se and I complete my mind map using another color (red for examptor to highlight the elements I have forgotten and need to work on.

I ask myself typical questions: I redo typical questions from the course to see if everything is OK!

This is where your friends come in! A fun and motivating game is to give your notes or mind map to a friend and let them ask questions, just like a student asking a teacher! Then you try to answer them. Your friend should pretend not to know the material and to want to understand the lesson. It’s even better if they genuinely don’t know the material! If you can simply re-explain each concept, you’re ready to ace your assessment!

I make my notes: I take a sheet of paper in the format that suits me, A4, A5… the ones from Oxford are great because you can scan them directly using the SCRIBZEE app, so you have them with you every day! Once I’ve found the right size sheet, I take my mind map and make notes. Always following my color-coding system (it’s super important so you don’t fall behind…), I add a few examples. It’s always good to have some, and you can also add some striking anecdotes if needed (in history or philosophy, for example!).

2. Review and do exercises for better memorization 

• – I try to revise at least a week in advance: If there are certain concepts I don’t understand, I ask my teacher questions. He will then answer all my questions so that I am as prepared as possible during the exam/assessment.

• – I review my lesson: The definitions, the examples, the dates… I can even make a list (to-do list) to know exactly what I need to revise.

Personally, right from the start of each chapter, I assign a sticky note to it. As soon as the teacher specifies that a particular concept is important, I don’t hesitate to write it on my sticky note to prioritize the important and less important concepts during my revision.

• – I redo exercises, practicals, or tutorials, over and over again. First, I try to do the exercise with the answer key so I can follow along and understand it better. Second, if I manage to do the exercise with the answer key, I try another one, but this time without the answer key! I can then see where I get stuck and what I need to improve before the assessment. Finally, if I manage to do the exercise on my own without too much trouble, I tackle a more complex exercise (a past exam question from the Brevet/Baccalaureate, for example).
• – The night before: I prepare my equipment, bag, pencil case, calculator, snacks, water, etc., so I’m ready for the big day and don’t have to do it in the morning. This way I’ll have more time to rest in the morning ;).

3. How to manage stress? 

As someone who gets very stressed/anxious, I’m going to share some tips with you to help you relax on exam day! (peace and love)

• – Getting enough sleep it’s‘s essential! It’s incredibly important to sleep well because if our body is tired, our mind is too. I swear, I’m not kidding!
• – Relaxing: I try to do relaxation exercises. For example, I do yoga,a nd I manage to relax and feel more zen! There are different types of yoga, and there are even clubs in some cities, so look into i,; it’s worth checking out!
• – Doing sports: It’s super important! Of course, I’m not asking you to run a half-marathon, just walk, stretch your legs! You’ll think about something else, and it will do you good!
• – Eat well  : Aim for the healthiest diet possible. Even if it’s difficult, a good diet gives your brain maximum energy! You can still treat yourself to a little fast food now and then!
  There are plenty of great recipes for students with lots of vegetables and fruits, simple and effective!

And above all, it’s not effective to cram like crazy an hour before the exam… By cramming at the last minute, your brain won’t retain the important information, and you’ll likely get stressed. Of course, you can reread your notes, your flashcards… but revising while sitting in the hallway won’t do any good. And I’m speaking from experience: we’ve all done it, and personally, just because I reread the material 5 minutes before the exam didn’t mean my grades were better, far from it! Everything will be fine, no stress! Let go, relax. I advise you to plan yourrevisione, to schedule your tests to avoid this kind of situation.