How To plan your studies in 6 steps

How much time do you have to invest in exam preparation and  how many days is that time spread over? Consider the example of a student - studying two hours each day for five days - and another student studying ten hours the night before, although they are both investing the same amount of time. The second student will become fatigued, overloaded and stressed more easily; he or she will not have opportunities to consult with a tutor in problem areas as they arise. Breaking the work down into manageable pieces and spreading it over several days is essential.

Step One: Choose a good location to study

This place should be clean, quiet, well-lit, a cool temperature and away from all distractions, such as friends, television, computer or cell phone.

Studying in a place similar to your exam environment might make you more comfortable during the test itself, as familiarity will help to reduce the fearsome feeling of testing.

Always be certain to take everything with you that you will need to work, including books, lecture notes, past assignments, pens and pencils.

Step Two: Stay on the plan

If you become stuck on a problem, clarify it. (You may take the help of your tutor).You might go over your allocated time and need to schedule more time for later. This is fine; your study plan is just a guideline, not an absolute. Catch up as soon as possible, and continue as planned.

Step Three: Revise the previous lessons- Redo past assignment problems and sample problems from the text, noting how techniques are used.

If you cannot explain the reasoning behind a mathematical process, then you likely don't understand it fully.

Step four: Memorize major concepts.

 As you study, jot down items that you need to memorize and carry the list with you throughout the day. Review this material when you are caught standing in line or with time to spare between classes.

Step five: Selectively review your texts.

Do not re-read your text book; you have already done it once and to do so again would overload you. Review sections you have highlighted (underlined), any notes you made in the margins, formulae, definitions and chapter summaries.

Step six: Study in a Chronicle order.

Begin your studies with the material from the first class and move forward in chronological order, spending only small amounts of time in low priority areas and more time in higher priority areas. This review will give you a stronger basis from which to master the more important material when you get to it. If you choose to study in chronological order, be careful to pace yourself so that you do not leave a critical study part to do the night before the exam.

Tips

• Planning more than one week in advance is ideal, especially when you have more than one exam to juggle.
• Before all this prepare a schedule which meets your needs.
• It’s also a good idea to keep some spare paper next to you while you’re studying so if you think of anything you need to do later you can write it down and put it out of your mind, then get on with the studying
  
  GOOD LUCK !

Sources : http://www.wikihow.com/Plan-Your-Studies