Just as with everything in life you need to put in effort in order
to succeed. Math is the same, if you give your time and effort you
will be able to get an A+ for your tests.
Understand the subject
Before you even begin to study for tests or exams make sure you understand
what you are going to study. Do some research, or take time to study
the text book. It will do you no good to walk into the exam room without
proper preparation. Understanding your subject is vital to success.
Color Coding
Use color coded stick-on's to mark your books. This way it will be
easier to identify where you are and what you are busy with. You can
make an index to know what color you are using for what problem or
project. This way your study time will be a bit more organized.
Finding your niche
Get a place where you can study alone and regularly. It should be
quiet, comfortable and without any traffic. Concentration can easily
be distracted by others. Make sure you have a desk or table and a
comfortable chair. Enough fresh air will ensure that you will not
get tired too quickly.
Conquer the mountain first
Start your study time with the difficult subjects. It will be no
good to study when you are tired or have been busy with other subjects
for an hour. Your brain will be exhausted and you won't be able to
concentrate. Give yourself a fresh start.
Making notes
Make notes of difficult problems with their solutions and stick
them where you can see them. The bathroom mirror or the fridge, this
way you will be able to read them with regular intervals and they
will start to sink into your long term memory.
Take time to exercise
Exercise helps the blood flow to release more oxygen and it will
give you the mental ability you need. Your mind will be sharp and
you will absorb more when your brain is alert. You will also sleep
better and feel rested.
Study breaks
Take a break when you start to feel tired. It will do you no good
trying to study when your brain is exhausted. Take regular intervals,
eat something and go for a walk. Then come back and study again. This
way you can observe more.
Diet
Most people crave foods like hamburgers, hot dogs or any other take-away.
It's more convenient and easy to get without taking time to prepare
it yourself. This will do you no good as your body needs fuel to perform.
Invest in healthy foods when you study. A lot of fruits and vegetables
will increase alertness and help you to concentrate better, try eating
some nuts as well. Avoid too much sugar as it will tire you.
Get Organized
Having a lot of papers lying around will just confuse you. Take
time before you study to organize your desk. Get rid of all clutter
and organize everything you need so that when you start to study you
can be focused and nothing needs to distract you from the subject
at hand. Nothing can be as debilitating as to look for a highlighter
or notes.
Don't cram your brain
Have you ever experienced blankness during a test? This is because
you try to cram your brain in a short period of time. Your short term
memory gets overloaded and stops in its tracks. Take time to study
beforehand, and get a good nights rest before the test.