By Mireille Yael Tanzil, Secondary 3 Courage 

As the mid-year exams approach, a mix of excitement and nerves begin to settle in. One thing is certain: we all desire satisfying grades. So, how can we make that a reality? Habits. The habits we cultivate play a vital role in shaping how we study, and they significantly impact our education. The first thing we need to do is develop effective study habits. How can we do this?

#1 : Organize your thoughts and direct your focus towards your studies. 

We can begin by organizing our thoughts and directing our focus towards our studies. Avoid letting our mind wander to distractions; it’s more important to concentrate on our exams than on temporary concerns. If we get easily distracted, we run the risk of not retaining information and losing focus. Therefore, whatever we review will be pointless. 

#2 : Be in a space where you feel at ease.

Some people prefer studying in a quiet environment. Finding a quiet, peaceful space to concentrate could enhance productivity by increasing our focus and reducing interruptions. There are those who enjoy studying with their friends and studying together in an environment where you feel most comfortable can also aid in revision.

#3 : Manage your time.

Essentially, we should be able to effectively manage our time. Thus, preparing for our tests would not be crammed into a single day. Cramming can affect our mental health. We become anxious and experience a great deal of pressure. Learning to manage your time well ensures that you are well prepared, organized and focused to manage your daily activities and complete academic assignments on time. 

#4 : Remember to take breaks

Lastly, remember to take breaks since the brain can’t absorb all the information at once. Taking breaks increases productivity and the ability to focus rather than decreasing it as it could refresh our brain and body. For instance, you may become less motivated and productive, retain less knowledge, and be burned out if you study for two hours straight without any breaks. 

Stress and pressure management

Has there ever been a time when you were overburdened by pressure and stress and didn’t know how to handle it? There are multiple options on handling that emotion, so don’t worry. 

#1 : Sufficient rest

By having sufficient rest , we may improve our overall performance. It will also promote physical growth for adolescents. By enabling the brain to organize and process emotions, sleep helps people deal with stress and overcome obstacles. Furthermore, getting enough sleep inhibits the production of stress hormones helping to control anxiety, foster calmness, control our emotions, and lessen stress.

#2 : Break things down 

Start having a schedule where you could manage all your studies and be able to finish all your schoolwork in time. So, you wouldn’t have to cram everything under a day which could increase productivity and promote clarity. We will be more alert, have a longer attention span, and be able to focus and concentrate better.

#3 : Positivity 

Maintaining a positive attitude is crucial when facing challenges. Rather than fixating on problems, focus on finding solutions. By shifting negative thoughts, you foster resilience and personal growth. Equally important is taking care of yourself—whether through rest, enjoyable activities, or mindfulness practices—to support your overall well-being. A positive mindset helps you approach difficulties with confidence and clarity, allowing you to move forward with a sense of hope and possibility.

Improvement 

Reflecting on our work helps us see where we can improve and do better in the future. To learn better, we can focus on understanding the material, constantly revise, and connect the ideas to what we already know. This helps us remember what we learn throughout the year, not just for exams. Using simple study techniques like making summaries, using flashcards, or practicing past papers can also make learning easier. Staying focused can be done by setting clear goals, taking short breaks, and working in a quiet space. Avoiding distractions and managing our time well helps us stay consistent and avoid last-minute cramming. If we don’t enjoy the subject or struggle with the teacher, we can try to stay motivated by finding real-life examples of the material, setting personal goals, or using other resources like videos or group discussions to make learning more interesting.