VCE STUDENTS across Australia are hitting the books as they study for exams in preparation for further study options and exciting careers, organisation and stationery is its companion.
Usually, students have at least four exams and each comes with a copious amount of resources to review in a short period of time; so, introducing a colour for each subject can make retrieving its data quick and easy and create more time to focus on the material.
It’s never too late to get organised, is it?
Study sessions are best performed in a peaceful, tidy area, with minimal distractions. If you haven’t already created one, now’s the time!
It’s also time to make a daily commitment to study around school, employment, sport and family activities.
Passive activities such as watching TV may need to be delayed or rescheduled until study sessions are finished.
Begin a fresh, gather all papers and equipment related to the exam and the coloured stationary you have chosen for its subject.
Research suggests that the week before an exam is the ideal time to revise information for its test as during sleep the information is processed and stored and it is easier to recall when its recently been seen or done, also that handwriting helps commit information to long term memory.
After reviewing the material it’s time to discriminate on its importance or relevance to your future exam.
Is the material easy to understand?
This could be an indication that its contents have been committed to memory, and perhaps its contents only need a glance, if the opposite is the case, indicate its importance with a colourful tick using a coloured high lighter or post it note to help it stand out.
When it comes to packing up your study session you can further organise papers by sorting them as priority learning and placing those into a plastic pocket, so they become a portable study resource.
A traditional desktop calendar and a diary are useful to help organise a study time table with a matrix of colour guiding organisation rather than hurried scrawl.
Electronic devices, while distracting, can assist good study habits with alarms set to motivate the beginning, middle and end of a study session.
Scheduling time to spend with family and friends and also opportunities to rest and do the activities which bring you joy is important to create balance and confidence to help move through the challenging chapter of exams.
Preparation is the key to finding ways to make reading, writing and solving problems fun and routine.
A good study session usually lasts 40 minutes and it is an investment your future self will thank you for.
Good luck to all the students taking exams over the coming weeks. You got this!
