How to study effectively to score good grades

Finals! Examination! Test! Words that strike fear and dread into the heart of any student. Many a time the young scholar has turned to ‘intelligent’ methods of achieving a better grade. However not everything is gloom and doom. Here are a few tips to help you score better on that algebra or Spanish test…without the fear of getting caught!  Make a schedule  The only way to make sure you remember the answers to the tough questions is to make an effort to study them in the first place. Make a list of all your subjects with an estimated time allotted to each chapter or topic. This will ensure that you have completed studying for the subject by a certain date so you can set aside time to play that new videogame without worrying about getting a big fat F in the paper.  Reward Yourself  Nothing works better than motivation! If you are one of those people who distract themselves by taking a shower or getting up to eat while studying, you are not doing yourself any favors. Tell yourself that you can have that sandwich once you’re done with the first 5 pages of Spanish vocabulary, or take a nap once you’re halfway through a topic. Don’t set unrealistic goals though. Reward yourself according to your cramming abilities.  Eat light  Diet plays a huge role in your mindset before and after a paper. Healthy eating is definitely preferable to junk although if a double cheeseburger makes you feel comfortable, then you should definitely go for it. It is advisable not to overeat as it could make you feel sick or even sleepy which would definitely not be helpful.  Don’t Stress Yourself Out  Stress messes with your head; naturally you’re more likely to forget stuff. Stay calm by listening to your favorite music or make yourself a special lunch (again, don’t overeat!). most importantly, stay away from people who make you feel like you have not studied well enough for the paper. There’s also the other end of the spectrum, where there are people who might be hysterical that they haven’t studied well enough. Stay away from these people too, you might get overconfident!  Presentation  Before writing the paper, make sure that you have at least two pens and a pencil. Depending on the paper you might need extra stationery like a ruler or perhaps a compass. Make sure you carry these with you. Write your answers clearly and legibly marking off the questions when they are completed. This will guarantee that you don’t leave any questions unanswered.