Some of the most effective tools you will ever use is a highlighter and paper

I’ve been going back and rereading all my notes for exams soon and I think there are a few things that might be very useful for you too. Paper notes are better than phone notes. If you is a computer science student and need to write some code then use your computer, but otherwise use paper. It’s proven that you will remember things better.<br><br><br><br>Then when you are reviewing and retaking notes, use colour. Highlight things of different importance with different colours. If there is a concept that is related to something else, highlight them both in the same colour. This helps you remember very quickly and is very useful for exams.<br><br><br><br>In addition to paper I always keep Google Docs open for a running list of important things to remember. I use these for quick reference when I’m writing my paper notes and for an easy to find place for all the important things. It’s also where I write all the equations is a little list so I can always find them. Paper is great for most everything, but it’s a lot harder to keep equations in order.<br><br><br><br>Another tip is find some quiet place to study that you like. If you like the library or a nearby park, go there. Somewhere you like to be, somewhere quiet, somewhere that you can focus. It’s always better than trying to study at your desk where everything is familiar and you can very quickly get distracted. <br><br><br><br>It is very important to make large amounts of time to study. By that I mean a room of time with minimal breaks. Do not try to study for 15 minutes and work for 15 minutes. It ends up being very inefficient and you don’t get much work done. Instead set aside 4-6 hours to study with short breaks. Take breaks to get something to eat or move around a little. Do not take breaks to scroll though your phone. If you’re on your phone there’s no point in taking a break for it. You will not be able to focus when you return. Do not take very long breaks for things like watching a movie or playing games. <br><br><br>One trick I use if I’m really not in the mood is to set a timer and tell myself I have to study for 15 minutes. At the end of the timer, I tell myself to set it for another 15 minutes. At this point I’m already in the mood and I actually want to study. It’s kinda like going to the gym. You never want to, but once you’re actually there and doing it you very quickly get in the mood.<br><br><br><br>Lastly, practice exams. Make sure you have all the equations you need, make sure you can do the manipulations with them, make sure you can do the types of problems. Practice makes perfect. Always remember that. With anything. Practice makes perfect. Sometimes you have to learn to practice, and that can take a lot of practice in itself. But after you can, it’s so much easier. Practice makes perfect.<br><br><br><br>The last thing you need to do is actually study for exams. Do not wait for the night before and try to cram everything in your head. You need to study a little bit all the time and then review a lot right before. So if you have an exam in 5 weeks and you study a little bit each day, you will understand so much more than if you try to cram everything in your head the night before. Everything will be familiar to you and everything will be fresh in your mind. You will remember everything so much better. It’s better to be safe than sorry.