Preparing For Exams NARRATOR: There is no perfect way for prepping for your exams. Everyone has a different strategy that works for them. What you need to do is find the strategies that work for you, the routine which helps you achieve success and decrease your stress. What are the exam study strategies that work? How can you stay relaxed during exam season? STUDENT 1: My biggest source of stress during the exam season is that I'm usually always on the verge of burnout. Having studied so hard during the semester, it's difficult to stay motivated, when you're facing a huge ball of stress. My coping method is to take some time away. It may seem counterintuitive with the mentality that you have to study for 24 hours a day, but I find that I actually do better when I relax, go for a walk, and spend some time with friends. STUDENT 2: Usually like to do is I put the dates for my exams inside my journal. So if, for example, I know that I have my history on the 22nd, then I will make sure that I plan to study for the other chapters weeks before, so that on the day of my exam, I would've already been prepared for everything. STUDENT 1: When I was in first year, I used to try to read the entire textbook and rewrite my entire semester's worth of notes. But I found that that wasn't the most efficient way to study. In reality, I learn best when I actually engage with the material and try to apply it. So working in a study group, coming up with my own questions, and writing out hypotheses is the best way for me to study. STUDENT 3: I'm actually from Seattle, so calling home and talking to my parents and having them give me a little bit of a pep talk usually helps. And if I have a break during exams or a study break even, just giving a quick little call home. Everyone's really in their zone during exam period, so having somebody outside of that structure is really nice. STUDENT 4: I go exercise, I go to the gym, and someone I also take my dog out. And since I like driving, every two, three hours, I will put down the books and just go out for a drive. STUDENT 5: So I have two strategies for exams. I like to really set up camp wherever I go, so I will make sure that I am close to a restaurant so I can get lunch and dinner really easily. I'll make sure I'm wearing my comfiest clothes, and make sure I have everything that I could possibly need, like extra pens, erasers, and whatnot, just to make sure I don't have to move, and I'll make myself super comfy, even if that means bring a blanket into a library, looking absolutely ridiculous. STUDENT 3: I try to prepare my meals ahead of time, as well. So making sure that when I'm going to the library, I have my breakfast, lunch, and dinner ready, or I plan for breakfast, lunch, and then plan to go to the Village for dinner or something. So I make sure that I have all the supplies that I need for the day without needing to go in and out of studying. STUDENT 4: I listen to classical music when I study. I think that really helps me to clear my mind and make myself very calm. STUDENT 5: I also like to library hop, so instead of just staying at one library throughout the whole exam season, I like to keep things new and fresh, and just try out a new library every once in a while. And that really keeps me going.