Preparing for something like a government Exam in a limited time frame is a stressful endeavor. Studying for something in a time-sensitive manner requires some skill. More importantly, it requires a focused and well-rested mind. While it is always advisable to begin studying as early as possible, sometimes it is difficult to balance life and academics together. Candidates do get behind for a variety of reasons and catching up takes immense dedication and commitment.
One of the best ways to study for government exams in a short amount of time is to find a well-known and reputable coaching center. Not only will you be introduced to other like-minded students, but you will also pick up tips to learn new content quickly. Major cities in India like Delhi offer a lot of choices when it comes to picking the ideal coaching center. Moreover, there are many institutes offering SSC coaching in Delhi. Such coaching will not only give you a leg up in the competition, but it will also help you if you have fallen behind.
The following tips may come in handy when preparing for a government exam in a short period of time:
Learn in short but effective bursts
30 to 50 minutes is the ideal window for learning new material, according to a study conducted by Louisiana State University. Anything less than 30 minutes is not enough and is distracting. On the other end, anything more than 50 minutes is a lot of information for the human brain to process in one go. It is also advisable to take 5 to 10 minutes between study sessions. This can help you remember the previous module with greater detail. Moreover, brief but consistent sessions are better than long study sessions that are less frequent.
Take Notes By Hand
Some students prefer to take notes on a laptop but using a notebook and a pencil like in the old days is definitely better for comprehension. Researchers across the world found that when students took notes by hand, it helped them listen better and were quick to identify concepts. Conversely, taking notes on a laptop does not instill facts in the mind and it has the potential for distractions like email and skype. It has been established that students who took notes on laptops performed comparatively worse compared to students who took notes using pen and paper. The key aspect here is that laptop note-takers copy down exactly what the professor is saying but the ones that use pen and paper first understand the content and then write it down in their own words.
Mental Spacing is helpful
Our mind works best when we give it time to rest in between study sessions. It is just like watering a lawn. It can be watered once every week for 1.5 hours at a time or 3 times a week for half an hour at a time. Scientists say that the initial approach is better since the grass stays greener that way. Similarly, our mind retains material when we review it two to three days after first studying it. The theory goes that there is a stronger signal given to the brain when the study session is spread out. This causes greater retention, compared to revising in rapid succession.
Take A Study Nap
One of the best ways to maintain retention is to take a study nap. Quick naps help our brain store information effectively. There was an experiment conducted in France where a group of students was asked to recall translations of 16 french words to Swahili. One group had 2 sessions on the same day. The other had one evening session followed by a sleep session and then a second-morning session. The ‘wake’ group remembered 7.5 words while the ‘sleep’ group remembered 10 words. Their study suggested that combining study with sleep had a dual advantage: reducing the time spent relearning and ensuring that there is long-term content retention.
Study in Groups
It is good practice to study in groups because each member can reinforce the other’s notes and compare them to their own. Moreover, if any member is behind, studying with the rest can easily help them get back up to speed. For example, multiple students in Delhi prepare for the Bank exam using well-known coaching institutes. There are some institutions renowned for Bank coaching in Delhi, India’s capital city. Students have other like-minded individuals with similar goals to interact with. This is positive and will help them succeed in the exam.
Conclusion
In general, it is advisable to give yourself enough time before a government exam. However, if you do find yourself in a position where you have to study quickly, the key is not to panic and follow the above steps. Not only will it make your efforts worthwhile, but it will also help you stay calm and confident before, during, and after the exam.
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