10 Good Habits for Students: How Top Students Learn

They are the Stephen Hawking or Marissa Mayer of your class and you’re probably scratching your head wondering why you can’t do it too, am I right? Many students lose motivation when someone else is thriving and you feel as though you’re lagging behind. This is not uncommon but if you’re thinking their learning ability is simply due to good genetics, you’re wrong. It’s more likely that they are using better study strategies than you.

There’s a bunch of good habits for students high-achievers are already following that may surprise you. Follow these learning tips to take the lead! Top students learn by:

1. Creating a Study Plan

This seems like a complete no-brainer but top students never fail to properly plan their future success. If you are feeling over-whelmed with the amount of work you have on your plate, a clear and balanced study plan will boost your motivation when you tick a task as complete and reduce stress by focusing on one piece of the puzzle at a time. Check out ExamTime’s Study planner tool here.

2. Taking Study Breaks

Does this study tip surprise you? Many students think they can cram a lot of information into their heads by sitting down and learning straight for a few hours. However, your ability to learn reduces the more time you spend staring at your books. Use that break time wisely and take a walk to boost your brain activity further, here’s the proof:

3. Building Their Own Study Notes

Our philosophy has always been in support of active learning by encouraging students to build their own set of study notes using Mind Maps, Flashcards and other effective methods. Countless users have shared their success stories with us saying that creating their own online notes has helped them discover a unique way to learn and enabled them to maintain exceptional grades which illustrates how powerful active learning can be.

4. Getting Enough Sleep

Exhaustion is the enemy of the elite. Here’s why sleep is important; when you properly rest, your brain strengthens the knowledge you have learned during the day by assimilating information so the better you sleep, the better you learn. The relationship between sleeping and learning is often disregarded by busy students but those at the top know the importance of this essential element of the learning process.

5. Asking Questions

Instead of passively sitting in lectures absorbing what’s going on, have you noticed what the top performing students are doing? They are engaging in the learning experience by asking questions, striking up a conversation with the lecturer and getting involved in their learning. Of course, you don’t want to be the one to put your hand up but it doesn’t mean you should not question what you are studying. Always ask why, it’s a big question for a small word!

6. Testing Themselves Regularly

Cramming doesn’t even enter the mind of a top student. Reviewing material in regular bursts ensures that information is stored in the memory over the long-term, extending the learning experience beyond the test. Many top students use the spaced-repetition concept to optimise learning by systematically reviewing notes to embed knowledge in the brain. Creating practice quizzes is another way to regularly engage your mind.

7. Enhancing their Learning based on Mistakes

If you want to build good habits into your study routine, you should start at where you are right now. Take a look back at your recent marks and review where and why you missed the correct answer. Whether it’s a question they answered incorrectly in class or a grade from a pop quiz, top students always analyse their mistakes to build on their learning.

8. Practicing Under Test Conditions

The number one way high-achievers ensure they reach their target grades is by preparing for tests in the way that they will sit the real thing. This means a certain amount of dedication will need to be demonstrated by setting a timer, putting your books away and answering questions to put your brain to work. Online quizzes are an ideal way to easily create exam-like conditions and put your knowledge to the test.
Try the timed quiz below (don’t worry it’s general knowledge!) to get a feeling for this technique:

9. Applying Learning to Real-life

Top students recognise that acquiring skills is critical for the challenges faced in life. Learning is not about studying for a test and getting good grades, it’s about understanding knowledge and what you can do with that knowledge. During the deeper learning process, students take ownership of their learning by applying core academic skills to real-life situations. Find out more about developing your deeper learning skills here.

10. Following What They Love

Those students you admire are passionate about what they are learning. They have the drive to develop their learning further based on their love of what they are discovering. This may not always be the case and is often unavoidable but if you follow what interests you and cultivate a curiosity of this area, your motivation to learn will thrive.
Not every student is the same and many top students don’t follow the status quo. The best way to create good habits for students is to try a variety of techniques and figure out what works for you.

5 Quick Tips to Help You Survive Final Exams

It’s time for the hard facts. Final exams are just around the corner and your study in the coming weeks will play a big part in your exam performance.
To make sure you obtain the best results you can, you should face these tests with a different approach to the assignments and projects you have taken part in during the course.
Take a look at the 5 study tips for finals below to help you come out of this challenge on top.

How to Survive Final Exams

Developing a positive mindset can act as motivational boosters and fight exam stress. There are ways you can encourage your brain to adopt this attitude to help you produce outstanding exam results:

1. Plan your Success Strategy

The final examinations are condensed into a few weeks. Once you start, it’s difficult to structure your preparation time. It’s crucial that you have a study schedule planned previously, bearing in mind the time you have available as well as the subjects you need to study.

2. Actively Review your Study Notes

Don’t just study the topics you have covered most recently. Finals exams include questions related to the entire subject and the exam questions will assess the overall ability of the student.
It’s important to master the foundation of the subject by covering introductory theory before advancing to deeper topics. Flashcards can help you understand key definitions and terms to build your base knowledge. Using these study aids will also allow you to quickly review your notes before the exams.

3. Reduce the Clutter

If you have to study previous topics again as well as cover new areas, you will start to wonder where you will get the time. The key is to reduce. Yes, you read that correctly, reduce. This does not mean that you should remove topics or paragraphs at random. You should find a way to reduce the volume of what you have to study without harming your level of knowledge.
The key is to use Mind Maps. The trick with mind mapping is to use keywords and logically relate them in a way that your brain is capable of filling in the gaps. Your brain should be capable of developing a paragraph with sense for every node or keyword outlined in the map. Create Mind Maps with the free GoConqr tool, it’s free!
Here’s an example Mind Map to show you how to create a topic overview:

4. Strengthen your Memory Skills

Once you fully comprehend the structure and format of the exam for each of your subjects, you can develop a strategy to test yourself. For example, preparing for an MCQ type of test will require a different skill-set than essay answer format.
Engaging your brain in active recall on a regular basis enhances your learning and strengthens your memory. Building confidence in your learning ability will also motivate you to study for longer and reduce exam stress. Take a look at the GoConqr Quiz tool for more information and some examples.

5. Read Everything Carefully

On the day of the exam, nerves can play a big part and sometimes negatively affect your performance. This can lead to reading questions incorrectly and approaching the answer in the wrong way.
Don’t let this happen to you! Spend time carefully reading the questions and jotting down some notes for when you are writing out your response. Having the structure of your answer clear before you put pen to paper can help you focus on the task and include details that will get you those extra marks.

Exam Writing Tips: How to Answer Exam Questions

This is what it all comes down to; you’re sitting in the exam hall, waiting to get your hands on that anticipated piece of paper. You’ve jammed a ton of information into your brain and your fingernails are non-existent – it’s time to get down to business!
Yes the exam environment may be different across disciplines. Computing students will sit some tests in front of a computer with their fingers poised to code. A practical element will contribute to science student’s final grade. It doesn’t matter if you’re studying English, Economics, Psychology or History, every exam can be approached in much the same way with these exam writing tips.
We’re here to give you some help answering and writing exam questions that will show your knowledge to the person who reads your paper.

How to Answer Exam Questions

Pay attention! These quick tips should be common sense but many students who are under exam stress fail to see their mistakes. We’re going to help you avoid a major exam disaster by pointing you in the right direction.
Here’s our top exam writing tips to help you understand how to answer exam questions:

1. Practice Past Papers

There really is no better way to get exam ready than by attempting past papers. Most exam bodies should have past papers available online but your teacher will get you started on these in class.
This process isn’t just about preparing an answer for a specific question, it’s about understanding how you approach a question in an exam, how to structure your answer, the timings you should assign and what information will get marks.

If you want to create an easy way to test yourself with past papers, try the GoConqr online quiz maker:

2. Read All Questions Carefully

The stress of the situation can cause you to misread a question, plan your answer out, start writing your response and then realise you made a mistake and wasted vital time. Even though you generally won’t be writing answers to every question on the paper, reading all questions thoroughly will ensure you make the right choices and can highlight how much you know about the topic.
Don’t forget to attempt all questions that you have selected. However, be careful of MCQ questions with negative marking. If you’re not sure of the answer you could cost yourself some valuable marks.

3. Manage Your Time

This is where you need to be strict on yourself. Once you have assigned a time limit for each question, you MUST move on once you hit it or you won’t be able to give the next question your full attention.
Remember to leave yourself some time at the end to go back over your answers and add in little notes or pieces of information about the topic. You never know, this could help bump you up a grade!

4. Structure Your Answer

Don’t just jump into writing your answer. Take the first few minutes to plan the structure of your essay which will save you time when you are delving into meaty parts. Always stay on topic; if you’re discussing the role of women in society as portrayed by the author in Of Mice and Men, don’t digress and start outlining other themes in the book for example.
Most essays should have an introduction, three main points and a conclusion. A lot of students see a conclusion as a final sentence to finish the piece off. A strong conclusion give an A grade student the chance to shine by bringing everything together and fortifying their opinion.

5. Explore Both Sides of an Argument

Building your argument in the main body of your exam answer will give your overall opinion credibility. English language questions, for example, encourage you to explore both sides of an argument and then conclude with a critical analysis of your answer.
Many questions you approach will look as though they seek a straightforward answer but in reality they want you to fully outline a structured essay. Don’t fall into the trap of providing a one-sided view, get your hands dirty and open your mind to other possibilities.

6. Review Your Answers Thoroughly

Smart students can still make the mistake of handing their answer book in without checking through what they have written. Proofread your answers as much as you can to correct any spelling mistakes and add any extra comments you think are worth mentioning.
You will be surprised what you can spot in those last few minutes. This is your last chance to throw in that quotation, list other relevant points or even draw a quick diagram. Now is not the time to drop your game, show the examiner what you’re made of!

Remember, the exams are not designed to trick you. Don’t panic on the day of your exam or this brain freeze could mean that you get a lower grade that you truly deserve. Convince yourself that you know how to answer exam questions and your almost there.
Are there any exam tips that helped you? Leave a comment below!
GoConqr is a free elearning platform which students can use to create, discover and share learning resources. Our Mind Maps, Flashcards, Quizzes and other learning tools can motivate students to learn by engaging in active learning. Get started here.

Last Minute SAT Tips From Actual Students

Ok so the SAT test is just around the corner and you’re starting to panic, stress out and cram. All those nasty exam time traits are taking hold and you want to conquer them. Well it just so happens that the we have put together 10 Last Minute SAT Tips just for you. Now, these tips weren’t merely conjured up by us here in ExamTime, no, we hit the World Wide Web and asked people at random who have already taken the SAT test. We hassled people on Twitter, invaded SAT groups on Facebook and even had some of the ExamTime members of staff (who have taken the SAT) offer their two cents. So without further delay, your 10 SAT Tips:

Last Minute SAT Tips from pm1e

So, from Boston to Cornell, Bronx Science to Sault Area, we have picked the brains of students across the US and hope these tips will serve you well on test day. There are a few weeks left before the next instalment so why not take a trip over to our SAT Test Page where you can find heaps more tips, advice, interviews, resources and more. If you liked these tips and feel they may help you out, make sure to share them with your class and friends. If we left something out please leave us a comment below and we will be sure to add them to the next batch. Oh, and good luck in the test.

Study Tips & Study Skills

Students with better study methods and strategies score higher on their exams.
Everyone is different. Different methods work for different people; the following are only suggestions on improving upon your current studying techniques.
It is best to review the material right after class when it's still fresh in your memory.
Don't try to do all your studying the night before the test. Instead space out your studying, review class materials at least several times a week, focusing on one topic at a time.
Have all of your study material in front of you: lecture notes, course textbooks, study guides and any other relevant material.
Find a comfortable and quiet place to study with good lighting and little distractions (try avoiding your own bed; it is very tempting to just lie down and take a nap).
Start out by studying the most important information.
Learn the general concepts first, don't worry about learning the details until you have learned the main ideas.
Take notes and write down a summary of the important ideas as you read through your study material.
Take short breaks frequently. Your memory retains the information that you study at the beginning and the end better than what you study in the middle.
Space out your studying, you'll learn more by studying a little every day instead of waiting to cram at the last minute. By studying every day, the material will stay in your long-term memory but if you try to study at the last moment, the material will only reside in your short-term memory that you'll easily forget.
Make sure that you understand the material well, don't just read through the material and try to memorize everything.
If you choose to study in a group, only study with others who are serious about the test.
Test yourself or have someone test you on the material to find out what your weak and strong areas are. You can use the review questions at the end of each chapter, practice tests that the teacher may give out or other pertinent materials.
Listening to relaxing music such as classical or jazz on a low volume can relieve some of the boredom of studying.
Don't study later than the time you usually go to sleep, you may fall asleep or be tempted to go to sleep, instead try studying in the afternoon or early evening. If you are a morning person try studying in the morning.

10 Study Tips to Achieve your Goals in 2016

1. Set Study Goals

There is lots of credible research suggesting that goal setting can be used as part of a strategy to help people successfully effect positive changes in their lives, so never underestimate the power of identifying to yourself the things you want to achieve. Just make sure to ask yourself some key questions: Am I setting realistic goals? Will I need to work harder to achieve those goals? If you’re happy with the goals you’ve set then you should aim to develop your study plan for the year ahead with your goals in mind. Which, as it happens, leads us to Tip #2!

2. Make a Study Plan

Time is precious. Nobody is more aware of this than the poor student who hasn’t studied a thing until the night before an exam. By then, of course, it’s too late. The key to breaking the cycle of cramming for tests is to think ahead and create an effective study plan. Not only will this help you get organised and make the most of your time, it’ll also put your mind at ease and eliminate that nasty feeling you get when you walk into an exam knowing that you’re not at all prepared. As the old saying goes, fail to prepare and be prepared to fail.

3. Take Regular Study Breaks

None of us are superhuman, so it’s important to realise that you can’t maintain an optimum level of concentration without giving yourself some time to recover from the work you’ve put in. This can take the form of a ten-minute walk, a trip to the gym, having a chat with a friend or simply fixing yourself a hot drink. If it feels like procrastination, then rest assured that it’s not: taking regular short breaks not only help improve your focus, they can boost your productivity too.

4. Embrace New Technologies

Studying no longer means jotting things down with a pen on a scrap of paper. The old handwritten method still has its place of course, it’s just that now there are more options for personalising study that ever before. Whether it’s through online tools, social media, blogs, videos or mobile apps, learning has become more fluid and user-centred. If you want to try a new learning technology,  GoConqr’s free platform is a great place to start, even if we do say so ourselves!

5. Test Yourself

It’s a strange thing, but sometimes simply entering an exam environment is enough to make you forget some of the things you’ve learned. The solution is to mentally prepare for the pressure of having to remember key dates, facts, names, formulas and so on. Testing yourself with regular quizzes is a great way of doing this. And don’t worry of you don’t perform brilliantly at first – the more you practice, the better you’ll become. Don’t believe us? Then just take a peek at what the experts have to say.

6. Find a Healthy Balance

Take this opportunity to evaluate yourself both physically and mentally. Is your engine running on low? Instead of  complaining “I never get enough sleep” or “I’m eating too much convenience food” take control and do something about it! Make the change and see how it positively affects your attitude and study routine. This should motivate you to maintain a healthy balance in the future.

7. Be Positive

Your attitude has a big impact on the level of study that you get done and the effectiveness of your learning process. If you keep saying that you can’t do it and won’t commit to the idea of learning, attempting to study is only likely to become more difficult. Instead, focus your mind on positive outcomes and on how you can use your own individual strengths to achieve them. When you think positively, the reward centres in your brain show greater activity, thereby making you feel less anxious and more open to new ideas.

8. Collaborate with Study Partners

At this stage of the school year, you should know your classmates pretty well. This is a good point in time to select a couple of study partners who you know you work well with and are motivated to achieve good grades also. Don’t worry if you can’t meet up too often, you can use online tools such as GoConqr’s Groups tool to communicate and share study notes with one another.

9. Turn lessons into stories

Everybody likes to read or listen to a good story, and with good reason – not only do stories entertain us, they help us to understand and memorise key details too. You can apply this to your studies by weaving important details or facts into a story – the more outlandish and ridiculous you can make it, the better (since you’ll be more likely to remember a particularly crazy story).

10. Establish a Study Routine

Your study routine is comprised of more than planning what to learn and when. One of the main concerns is your study environment.

Find a place to study that is quiet and with few distractions. Alternatively, you could also try switching it up by sitting in a different place in your school library every day and seeing how this works for you.
There really aren’t any hard and fast rules to play by when it comes to best times for studying or how long you should work for. Everybody is different, so the best way to establish a routine is to try different things and see what works best for you, then modify your routine for maximum learning effectiveness.