Some community college transfer students get anxious about their ability to perform when it comes to taking exams. Many people think that community college simply doesn't come with the same kind of pressure as an Ivy League school, for example, but for the community college transfer students trying to ace their classes in order to ensure that their grades are good enough for transfer to Ivy League, the stress can be just as high.
Of course, the problem for more community college transfer students where exams are concerned is that they simply don't have the skills they need to study properly. And going into a test situation unprepared is enough to make anyone a little nervous. So if you want to give yourself the best chance to succeed when you take exams in community college, here are just a few preparatory tips to help you out.
1. Have a snooze-fest.
Studies have shown time and again that students who get adequate rest before exams are less stressed, have better recall, and enjoy increased overall performance on tests.
This means that it's imperative to get your full eight hours of beauty rest the night before an exam. Many students are tempted to burn the midnight oil in order to squeeze in that extra cram session, but this actually won't help as much as a few solid hours of sleep. So turn off the lights, crawl under the covers, and consider rising a little early to skim the material with fresh eyes. You might just be surprised by the difference in your performance when you change your tactics.
2. Eat right.
They say you are what you eat, and if you want to be your best when prepping for a test you need to eat the best foods for your brain and your health.
So skip the sugar and caffeine that can hype you up in the short term and then end in a crash, and forego the fats that will only make you lethargic and sleepy. Instead, power up with natural foods that are high in slow burning carbs and protein, as well as brain-boosting nutrients. Fresh fruits and veggies paired with low-fat dairy products, lean meats, and whole grains will serve you best (and make you feel fantastic, to boot).
3. Schedule study sessions.
You work on a schedule and attend classes in the same manner, so why wouldn't you pencil in study time?
Structure here will help to ensure that you give your brain plenty of time to assimilate pertinent information for optimum retention. Studying on a schedule means you'll never have to pin your grades on the results of a last-minute cram session.
4. Control your environment.
Your home can be a distracting place to work, what with other occupants making noise and interrupting you. So you need to find ways to manage your environment or else find a place that offers peace and quiet.
Try shutting down electronics that could distract you (phones, computers, the works) and putting on some ionizing headphones to cancel outside noise and pipe your classical playlist directly into your head. Or if you just can't seem to concentrate at home, head for the library, a place where noise simply isn't allowed.
5. Ask for help.
Studying solo is not easy for some students, so if you need a little help, don't hesitate to set up a study group with classmates or even hire a tutor.
Whether you're doing LSAT or GMAT prep or you're simply trying to ace your upcoming history test, having another person to guide you can definitely keep you focused and help you to get through the material more quickly and efficiently.
To learn more about studying right, check out our ebook on how to become the top student at community college.
