“All progress takes place outside the comfort zone.” — Michael John Bobak

Every year millions of students appear in competitive exams like JEE and NEET. Still, only a fraction of them manages to secure their spot in top colleges. As per the data released, a total of 1,55,538 students appeared in both papers (1 and 2) of the JEE Advanced Exam 2022, out of which only 40,712 candidates have qualified for the exam.

Every student works hard to achieve their goals; the difference lies in preparation, study techniques, and consistency that separates toppers from the lot. Some students implement effective study techniques and score success by studying only for 6-9 hours daily, while others spend 10-14 hours and still get dissatisfactory results. If you are amongst the latter, wondering how to study effectively for competitive exams. In that case, we present ten effective study tips you can utilise to crack competitive exams like NEET and JEE.

Top 10 tips to Study for Competitive Exams and advice from ALLEN Overseas’ experts:

1. Make a schedule and stick to it:

One of the most effective ways to Study for Competitive Exams is to create a well-planned, realistic and productive study schedule. Plan every hour of your day, allotting specific hours to each subject and topic and completing your work before moving on. It is better to write your study schedule on paper and stick it on your wall or somewhere visible to you. It will be a constant reminder of what needs to be accomplished in a day.

2. Set up your study area:

Set up your desk before you begin studying. Sit in a quiet and comfortable place with adequate lighting and space for your stuff. Remove distractions, switch off your mobile phone, and clear the clutter. Keep your study space clean and organised. Take everything you need, like notes, textbooks, practice sheets, and stationery, to save time.

3. Revise and re-revise:

Revision is the most critical study technique that could make or break your results. Revision improves your ability to retain and recall information during the examination. Of course, you can spend more time on complex topics, but revising everything (your complete syllabus) is advisable without leaving anything behind. Revise what you’ve learned every day before going to bed, and re-revise your whole week’s syllabus on weekends.

4. Make your own SMART notes:

Just reading and re-reading information won’t cut for top-level competitive exams like JEE and NEET anymore. Smart study techniques involve making SMART notes in your own language. Write down short summaries, and create flashcards, mindmaps, flowcharts, diagrams, bullet points, etc., to better understand the information. For equations and important formulae, use flashcards and keep them with you so you can revise them whenever you have spare time.

5. Take refreshing study breaks:

Instead of long and exhaustive study sessions, effective study tips involve studying in small sessions divided by regular and refreshing study breaks. It allows you to study for long hours without getting tired. Also, taking a small break after a rigorous study session provides enough time for your brain to retain that information better. Therefore, take a short 5-minute break after every 25-minute study session and longer 15 minutes break after 2 hours, and do something productive to re-energize your body and mind for the next session.

6. Test your knowledge:

It is equally important to apply your knowledge by taking regular tests. Practice as many questions as possible, and solve previous year’s question papers, question banks, and daily practice sheets to ensure that you understand the concept and its application correctly. In addition, take regular topic-wise and major tests of the complete syllabus in real-exam-like conditions to learn effective time management and evaluate your performance to rectify the gaps in your preparation. This will also acquaint you with the exam pattern, boost your confidence, and help you strategise your approach accordingly.

7. Set realistic study goals every day:

Qualifying for competitive exams is not an overnight thing. It’s a long-term process of persistent efforts, hard work, and effective study practices that will take you toward your goals. Therefore, you must set daily study targets for each subject and ensure you achieve them before retiring. For example, decide that you’ll study Ohm’s law in the next hour and practice all its relevant questions. Remember, for your journey towards success, every day counts.

8. Study before bed:

This may seem a little weird but scientifically proven to be one of the most effective study tips. Studies suggest that when you sleep, your brain refines and reorganises the information you’ve learned to retain it better and recall it when required. That’s why rather than pulling up all-nighters, revise all your notes or important concepts before you go to bed.

9. Learn to teach someone:

You must learn and understand something thoroughly to teach it to someone else. Therefore, it is recommended that when you are learning something new, try to think about how you would explain this new concept to someone else. What examples would you use, how is it connected to your previous topics, and how can you define its application? This technique will help you invent your own style of learning and understanding new information for quicker recall.

10. Ask for help:

Lastly, if you are stuck somewhere, and can’t understand something, any topic, equation, numerical, or concept, do not hesitate to ask your teachers or mentors for help. Leaving your doubts unsolved can cost you your whole year. Therefore, ask for help and guidance whenever you need it.

These are the top 10 study tips that you can use to accelerate your journey toward success. If you need more help and guidance, contact our experts with your queries, concerns, or problems and receive the best career advice for unparalleled academic excellence.

The post Study Tips: How to Study for Competitive Exams? appeared first on ALLEN Overseas.

Though many students will feel like they need to study all the time to get desired results. However, effective exam preparation techniques involve taking frequent & refreshing study breaks that allows you to reconnect after a tiresome study session. It is recommended that students should manage their time using the Pomodoro technique of study to improve their focus, productivity & motivation levels.

Here’s how the Pomodoro technique of study works…

Step 1: Pick A Task (It can be finishing one topic or solving a set of questions)

Step 2: Set the timer for 25 minutes (Pomodoro)

Step 3: Start working on your task with complete focus till the timer hits zero

Step 4: Take a five minutes break

Step 5: Repeat the same process again

Step 6: After four Pomodoro sessions, take a longer 15-30 minutes break.

Pomodoro technique of study allows students to break down complex topics/chapters into small actionable study sessions. This method help students to stay focused and study for longer durations without getting tired and frustrated. Remember the only way to eat an elephant is taking one bite at a time.

The effectiveness of Pomodoro technique of study lies in its model of allowing frequent study breaks. If you are wondering, here’s how these frequent small study breaks will benefit you…

Benefits of taking study breaks…

1. Optimize Productivity:

Taking regular study breaks will help in sharpening your brain & make it more attentive during study sessions.

2. Prevent Mental Fatigue:

Taking refreshing breaks will help you in warding off mental fatigue you are bound to feel after long & rigorous study sessions.

3. Improve Concept Retention Ability:

A small break provides enough time for your brain to better understand and retain the concepts you just learned.

4. Help You To Study For Longer Hours:

A break re-energizes your brain and prepares it for next study sessions, thus allowing you to study for longer hours.

ALLEN Overseas experts firmly believe that no exam preparation techniques ever worked without effective study breaks. But as important as taking study breaks, it is equally important to use your breaks for fun & productive activities that charge up your study sessions.

Here are a few ideas & tips for effective study breaks…

Study Breaks Tips For Smaller Breaks –

1. Stretch Your Body:

Stretching your body for 5 minutes helps in loosening your muscles & releasing pent-up tension. This way you can prepare your body for next study session.

2. Meditate:

Meditation helps in calming your mind & improving your concentration. Sit in a quiet place, close your eyes and take a few mindful deep breaths to reinvigorate your brain so that it gets ready to soak more information.

3. Reply To Your Messages:

Instead of checking your phone after every fifteen minutes, you can read & reply to important messages or check your notifications during your break time. This will save your time & eliminate distractions from your effective study sessions.

4. Eat A Healthy Snack:

Eating healthy and nutritious snacks during your breaks will refill your energy and keep you more focused during study sessions. Healthy snack options include fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, eggs, cheese, dark chocolate, yogurt, popcorn, etc. Avoid junk food in any case.

5. Tidy Up:

Organizing your notes, books, cleaning up your study space will relax your brain while maintaining the same productivity level. This way you can return to a neat & tidy study space with a relaxed mindset.

Tips & Ideas For Longer Study Breaks –

1. Take A Power Nap:

Research shows that taking a quick power nap of 20 minutes will boost your productivity, creativity, memory & reset your brain for better focus. Remember to always set an alarm so that you can wake up on time. However, if you are among those who feel more tired, disoriented & lazy after a nap, this study break technique is not for you.

2. Cook Something Delicious:

Engaging yourself in refreshing activities like cooking will take your mind off study anxiety and provide you with something to look forward to at the end of your study session. Whipping yourself a quick healthy meal will also help in fuelling your body with the required energy for effective exam preparation.

3. Take A Small Walk:

Walking is beneficial in improving your concentration by restoring your mind and body. Even a short 10-15 minutes of walk will improve your blood circulation and oxygenate your brain for better functioning. So step outside and get some fresh air during your break.

4. Talk To A Friend:

Isolating yourself from friends and family will slowly deteriorate your mental health. That’s why it is recommended to use your break time for a friendly chat. Having an open conversation with your friends will relax your mind and clear out your worries.

5. Do Something Creative:

Indulging yourself in creative activities like drawing, dancing, coloring, etc. will take your mind off from the task at hand, boost your energy and enhance your mood. These kinds of activities will lessen your stress and reboot your mind for better focus.

Effective Study Breaks – Tips & Ideas:

Don’t forget that effective exam preparation techniques involve regular and effective study breaks. Try the Pomodoro technique of study and implement those tips for effective study breaks and see the wonders they can do for you. If you have any queries, comments, and suggestions, feel free to reach out to us, we will gladly assist you.

The post How To Prepare For Your Exams With Effective Study Breaks? appeared first on ALLEN Overseas.