Exam season is characterized by clocks running through the hours much faster than usual. Very few are unsurprised by how many hours sneak past them as they tackle their lessons before the exam. This, combined with the pressure to excel academically results in stress and anxiety. One thing that can help manage your time and reduce the stress levels during exam preparation? Prioritization i.e. the ranking of tasks based on their significance, allocating time accordingly and then, getting them done. And it is an art.
Why Prioritize?
Every student has the same 24 hours per day and many wish for more, especially near the exams. What can be done is manage these 24 hours effectively. A key to proper time management- prioritization.
Not all topics in your syllabus are created equal. Some need more attention than the others because of their complexity and importance to the course. The ‘others’ may need just a quick review. While these are important for your understanding of the subject, without prioritization, you might waste more precious time than these ‘others’ are worth.
Studying uses up energy- another scarce commodity during the exam season. You can’t go all out during your study session- pulling all-nighters for days in a row only to fall asleep during the exam. You need to channel your energy into the right tasks to see results. Prioritization helps you streamline your study session and invest your energy where it matters the most. Such rationalization of your efforts is also important for keeping your stress levels within control.
How to Prioritize Like a Pro?
1.Set a Schedule
At the start of your study session, facing the mountain of study materials can be overwhelming. At this moment, remember to break down your mountain into molehills. Creating small manageable tasks is a key step in prioritization. But that doesn’t mean you blindly cut up your syllabus into small chunks and attack it right away.
Hence, the first step is to create a comprehensive list of topics to be covered for the exam. Categorize them based on the following criteria:
- Difficulty level
- Your familiarity with the topics
- Importance for the exam
Depending on the time available with you, you could assign different weightage to these criteria. The last criterion is especially useful during the last leg of your study period before the exams kick in. To understand a topic’s importance in an exam, refer to past exam papers and other resources to determine the topics that are a favorite among the examiners.
Once you’ve categorized the topics, create a study schedule. Set clear and realistic goals in your schedule. Instead of putting in “study for exam”, try being more specific with goals like “complete chapters 3 and 4” or “solve 10 practice problems from chapter 7”. This will leave you with a clear roadmap and a sense of progress as you get through each task.
This structured approach to your exam preparation gives you an added advantage- it will help you stop procrastinating. It is necessary to stick to your plan, but don’t stop yourself from making adjustments to get the most out of your strategy. Also, remember to celebrate the completion of your goals to keep yourself motivated throughout the preparation process.
2. 80/20 Rule
According to the 80/20 rule or the Pareto Principle, 80% of results come from just 20% of your efforts. Meaning, a select 20% of your efforts is responsible for 80% of your understanding, and consequently, marks. How does it work for your study session? Identify and prioritize topics based on their relevance to the exam, past exam patterns, and your own strengths and weaknesses. This will help you master the core concepts before moving on to other topics of lesser importance.
3. Strategic Breaks
Prioritization isn’t only about study time; it also involves taking strategic breaks. Uninterrupted study sessions can lead to poor focus and worse, burnout. Include regular breaks in your schedule to recharge your mind and prevent fatigue. Here, techniques like the Pomodoro Technique, which involves 25-minute focused study sessions followed by a 5-minute break, will help you maintain optimal productivity.
Relaxing and rejuvenating activities should fill your break time. This could be stretching, taking a short walk, or listening to calming music. By including strategic breaks into your study routine, you can enhance your ability to retain information and sustain a high level of concentration throughout your study sessions.
4.Tap into Tech
Today, there are numerous tools to help you in effective prioritization and time management. There are easy to use apps that are aesthetically pleasing as well. Use these to create to-do lists, set reminders for study sessions, and track your progress. Calendar apps can help you visualize your study schedule and make sure that you allocate sufficient time to each subject. Online resources and educational platforms provide interactive study materials, practice quizzes, and virtual flashcards. Give them a try and choose the one(s) that work for you.
In the end, prioritization is not about doing more, but about doing what matters the most. Hence, remember to focus on the essentials. This will arm you with the knowledge you need to face the exams and another, possibly more important thing- a time management skill that helps you face your future challenges like a pro.
