5 Common Study Mistakes you should avoid

Exam season is right around the corner so I thought why not share five of my worst study mistakes with you. These are mistakes that I have made from literal trial and error. If you want the best study method, you should check out REP: https://toniashlaay.wixsite.com/toni-ashlaay/post/the-rep-study-method-by-toni

REP is a study method I came up with a few years ago that will help you in preparing for your exams. It takes a 3 step approach and if you are interested you should check it out.

1. The first study mistake that you should avoid is using only reading as your study method. It really does not work unless you have photographic memory, especially for technical topics. I did this for an exam and when I went into the exam, all I remembered was bits and pieces but not the complete thing. When the question asked me to explain, all I could remember is part of the definition, so i knew what it was but I didn't remember the details to it because I didn't memorize it. Don't try reading alone as your study method, especially if you have time. If you have weeks or months to study do the right way, do it the REP way.

   
   

2. Studying the night before exam really pushes you into that 50/50 zone of passing or failing. I did this probably once in my life and I absolutely could not function the next day. I could not think straight because I was so tired. I even felt a bit paranoid because I didn't sleep all night. Don't try this if you can't handle it. Some people can but I absolutely can't. You might fall asleep in the exam or even forget everything, don't take the chance.

   
   

3. Studying the morning of the exam is the only thing worse than studying the night before. This one is crazy. This is the ultimate cramming. You have the exam in less than two hours and you are trying to cram everything into your brain. In my experience doing this is strictly a luck situation. I've done this before and it so happened that what I was cramming right before came on the exam. That was 100% luck and God. Don't try this at home kids.

   
   

4. I hated study groups, they were just not my thing. I think that they are only effective for revision purposes but not learning. They only make sense if everyone has already done some studying independently. I engaged in a study group before and honestly you are pretty much a spectator or "asking questions to the other persons." If you don't learn like that then this study method is also a big waste of your time.

5. Memorizing is key for any and every exam even those that require application. This is because you have the foundation and the knowledge to apply. Memorization doesn't have to mean word by word but it can mean concept by concept and idea by idea. This is key along with repetition. Don't make the mistake of not memorizing for your exam. Don't try it.

-Toni