Achieve Exam Success: Realistic Goals
Are you feeling overwhelmed by the prospect of your upcoming exams? Many students find themselves unprepared and anxious in the lead up to exams. But by taking a structured approach and setting the right objectives things will become much easier. In this blog post we explore strategies for setting smart goals and learn how a structured study plan can enhance your performance on exams!
Preparing for an exam can be a stressful and overwhelming experience, but it doesn’t have to be. Setting achievable goals is key to managing your stress levels as you study and make progress towards exam day. Here are our tips on how to set goals for exam preparation so you can approach them with confidence!
Plan, Plan, Plan
The old proverb ‘failing to plan is planning to fail’ definitely applies here; the earlier you can start creating a plan of action for your studies, the more likely you are to achieve your goal. Planning ahead gives you time to break down big topics into manageable chunks, order them in priority and allocate enough time each day/week/month (as relevant) so that come exam day, you’re as comfortable as you can be with each topic.
Having said that – if you have left things until the last minute there’s still no need to panic. Being structured and organised with what time you do have will get your much further than diving in blindly and hoping for the best. The principles of setting goals and prioritising your work apply no matter how early you start revising – be it 3 months or 3 days before exam day.
Set SMART objectives
Once you have identified what areas need focus during revision sessions, use this opportunity to set SMART objectives:
S = Specific (identify exactly what needs doing) – within each topic be specific about what you want to learn/what approach you want to take. So for example as part of your maths exam you know you need to spend some time revising Macbeth for your English Literature so need to set some time and energy aside for that.
M = Measurable (what quantifiable result should you aim for?). Going back to our Macbeth example, what is it you want to learn? Do you need to memorise 10 facts about each character, or 10 important quotes? Maybe you’re focussing on pages 10-15. However you do it, make sure you can quantify the amount of work you’re aiming to do.
A = Achievable (make sure the task isn’t too daunting or unrealistic given available resources). So, back to our example, it would be ridiculous to set a target to ‘Know Everything About Macbeth’ in your first revision session. Break it down into small chunks that you can achieve and you’ll get further, faster.
R = Relevant (do not waste time studying things which will not show up in exams!). Make sure you pay attention to what will be included on each paper on what format the questions will take. It’s no use preparing to write a 10 page essay on Lady Macbeth if all of your questions are going to be 4-5 markers.
T = Time-bound (give yourself clear deadlines). So once you know what you’re trying to achieve (specifically) and have an idea of how you’re going to achieve it then give yourself a time frame. Maybe, you set yourself 2 hours to study Act 1 of Macbeth and you build a 15 minute break into this. At the end of the 2 hours look back at what you’ve achieved and learn from it – was it harder/easier than you expected? If something isn’t working then fine tune until adjustments yield better results.
Create rewards around milestones
Recognition of a job well done is an excellent motivator. And whilst your family may be around to provide high-fives and ‘well-dones’ don’t rely on other people to make you feel better. Only you know exactly how much work you are doing and so you are the best person to reward that.
When you’re creating your revision timetable make sure you include regular points of ‘reward’, but make sure it’s appropriate to the amount of effort you’re going to put in. Maybe you’ve got a particular topic in physics coming up that you know you are going to really struggle getting through. Getting through it deserves a big reward – maybe it’s the rest of the night off, maybe it’s an hour on your games console…. It should undoubtedly feel like a bigger reward than spending an hour revising something you’re more comfortable with.
Use memory tools
There are lots of really useful techniques out there which help commit facts to memory in an effective way. We are all different and learn in different ways, so find one that works for you. Some popular ones include:
- using visual images rather than just study notes as the brain can process these more easily.
- Using mnemonics or acrostics e.g., BODMAS = Brackets, Orders, Division, Multiplication, Addition, Subtraction;
Find a routine but be flexible with it
When we start anything new it is hard. Your body will need to mentally and physically adjust itself to a whole new timetable so expect the first few days to be hard going. Make sure not to overload your first few days with topics that are extremely hard, instead ease yourself in with more familiar topics until you’ve built up a bit of a routine.
Once your body has adjusted to the new routine things will get easier but we’re not robots. You will find some days are easier than others – the key is to recognise when your concentration is dropping off. There is really no point in sitting mindlessly staring at a chunk of text that you know you are not absorbing. If this happens, mix things up a bit. Take a break, or perhaps take an alternative approach and watch a video on the topic instead. The key is not to give up. Recognise when you are struggling and make adjustments.
Take care of yourself
Over the period you are revising you are going to be asking quite a lot of your body. You may feel like you’re just sitting in a chair all day but all that learning needs serious brain power.
You’re not going to perform at your best if you don’t take care of yourself so make sure you eat well, sleep well and stay hydrated.
Avoid anything too sugary or that’s strongly caffeinated as these things can cause highs and lows in your energy, which is not what you need. Make sure you get plenty of fresh air too – the vitamin D you absorb naturally will provide a much needed boost, but do all you can to take care of yourself. Lots of fresh fruit and vegetables and even so vitamin supplements.
The build up to your exams will be stressful, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By setting achievable goals and breaking them down into smaller steps, you can reduce your stress significantly. Having achievable goals will help keep you focused and motivated. Setting achievable goals will not only reduce stress but will provide some much needed structure and direction By setting SMART goals you will know you’re heading in the right direction!
FAQ’S
Q1: How can goal setting help me during exam preparation?
A Goal setting is an effective way to break down long-term goals into smaller and achievable tasks. This helps keep you organised and focused while making sure that all aspects of the task (e.g., studying, taking practice tests, etc.) are completed in a timely manner.
Q2: What should I include when setting goals for my exam preparation?
A2: When setting your goals you need to know what you’re aiming for but you also need to devise a plan as to how to achieve it, which is why SMART goals are so effective. When setting your revision plan make sure you include plenty of breaks and rewards to keep you motivated too. Most importantly remember things will change – no matter how much you plan something unexpected will always turn up so try to build some flexibility into the way you work to ensure you can deal with whatever comes your way.
Q3: How frequently should I review my progress towards my goals?
A: At the end of each session make sure you take some time to look over what you’ve achieved. By doing this you’ll be able to target your time going forward in the most beneficial way.
Q4: Is it okay if I switch up my goal plan during prep?
A: Absolutely! And recognising at the very beginning that this WILL happen is key. Expecting your revision timetable to be set-in-stone the minute you set it is unrealistic. You will undoubtedly find some topics harder/easier than expected so approach your planning in a very flexible way and recognise that if you’re not changing things around then you’re probably not taking enough time to reflect on what you’ve been doing.
Q5: Is there anything else I should consider when working towards these goals?
A: Yes – take care of yourself. You will be working intensely in the period leading up to (and through) your exams so make sure you are ready for it, both physically and mentally. Eat well, sleep well and build in time to relax and re-energise. Doing this will provide you with the best chance of success.
Interesting Info:
- Taking regular breaks during study sessions can boost concentration and help maintain focus.
- Writing out specific goals for what you want to achieve will help keep you focussed and organised.
- Incorporating activities that will help you relax and switch off (like reading, watching a movie, going to the gym or walking) will help relieve stress, which will also boost your productivity.
