Preparing for an English Examination: Study Strategies
Studying is one of those things people think they know how to do, and everyone seems to do most of the same things. The reality is, most of the time, students are doing ‘busy work’ rather than studying effectively. Not necessarily because this is intentional or because they are procrastinating, but because studying is a skill not often explicitly taught. It should be.
Like all skills, studying takes practise. It’s not something you will pick up right away – and, like many things, not all strategies will work for everyone, or for each subject. Variation – and testing – is key. It’s a matter of trial and error. Get it right in year 7, or 8, 9, or 10, and enjoy a much less stressful experience in years 11 and 12.
So, what are some strategies that are worth trying?
Tables are always useful, particularly when it comes to learning quotes, techniques and their effects. Try to avoid memorising word-for-word analysis - this should reference the set question on the day.
Colour-coding can help to organise content by theme or idea.
Mind-maps can also help to organise content by theme or idea. This is also a good way to deconstruct an idea or to draw links between content.
Reduce ideas, themes, quotes, etc. to symbols or images. Think about what is most ‘essential’ in each – simplifying and considering symbolism can help make things easier to remember, as well as challenging you to break content down into ultimate ideas. Infographics can also be incredibly helpful with timelines, transformations (of character, or themes, etc.) or explanations. Practising content in as many different ways as possible helps reinforce it without needless (boring) repetition.
Posters - placing your mind-maps, tables or colour-coded dot points around your study space or your room can help keep them ‘fresh’ in your mind. On the outside of a glass shower screen or the back of the toilet door are other options (and surprisingly useful).
Recordings - if you learn by listening to information, perhaps record yourself (or someone else) reading your notes aloud. You might play this while you go for a walk or a run.
Study buddies - find someone you can work with (not gossip with) and bounce ideas off of. This kind of discussion can help you to refine and extend your understanding of themes, the text as a whole, and the effect of techniques, etc.
Practice papers under timed conditions:
Prepare yourself for the exam style assessment task. You might mark this yourself or have a friend do it for you (swap). Marking criteria are available online or you might ask your teacher for one (assessment notifications should contain marking criteria).
Prepare to answer different questions - this will help you look at the content from new perspectives, drawing new links between information and drawing new conclusions about the texts.
Be aware of your physical space: make sure that your study space is conducive to actually studying:
Remove technological distractions.
Ensure that you take breaks appropriately.
Tidy the space so that you are able to focus properly.
Have everything you need ready to go before you start studying - don’t interrupt yourself.
Take appropriate breaks: this means being active, seeing friends, spending time with family. Moving to the couch to watch Netflix is not a break for your eyes or your mind.