This semester, I’m gonna pull myself togeteher! I’ll attend lectures, take detailed notes, highlight the most important things, and above all, I’ll plan studying, so I’ll be chilled for the exam period.” And suddenly POOF – you don’t know where all these months went, and you wake up the day before the exam with an empty mind. Now what?
First of all, chill – stress is your worst enemy. As long as you are before the exam, all is not lost, and you could still pass it. Take a deep breath, make yourself your favorite tea (possibly get a coffee, leave an energy drink as the last resort), and get to it! Where to start?
Ask your friends for the notes
If you have your own notes, that’s great. However, it won’t hurt to also use materials of other students from the group. For a good wine or chocolate, many people will share their notes with you, where you’ll surely find additional information needed for the exam.
Besides, reading others’ notes helps memorize the material better. It’s a new text, so the brain focuses more on familiarizing itself with the information. Just don’t overdo it on the amount of notes. You simply need 1-2 sets.
It is also worth asking colleagues from the year above if they have any ready questions for the exam. Let’s not pretend to be saints – student groups often deal tests from previous years. They may not match 100% of what you will find in the exam, but there is a good chance that many of them will repeat themselves. Even so, at least you’ll know what kind of questions to expect, and that’s a big advantage.
Ensure energy and rest
On the day before the exam, the most important thing is the plan and implementation time. So do not delay your studying. As soon as you wake up, deal with the issue while your brain is fresh and rested. Turn off any distractions – the world won’t really collapse when you check out the new TikTok uploads the day after. Yes, this also applies to study breaks!
Speaking of breaks… Make sure you plan them! For example, the Pomodoro technique will work great here. It assumes work in blocks of 25 minutes – 5 minutes break. After 4 such sets, you take a longer, approx. 15–20-minute break. Each time, try to move around during – it will do your body good and allow your brain to rest.
Also, remember to give yourself a good kick of energy. However, don’t do this with energy boosters. Better plan a wholesome meal and drink plenty of water. A well-nourished and hydrated body is a cooperative brain that, instead of focusing on the deficiencies in the body, will begin to absorb new information better. This also applies to sleep, so try not to pull an all-nighter.
Use effective studying methods
Highlight the most important information
The brain doesn’t like monotony. When it sees a wall of text, it slips up. Therefore, to make the assimilation of information a bit more pleasant, circle the most important points in your notes. You can also draw patterns or small drawings. This will be a good starting point for remembering where the required information was located.
Create a mind map
It is one of the most effective methods based on association. How does it work? To create a mind map, write the topic you want to work on in the center of the page in capital letters. Then write around it in the form of a “tree” all associations, elements, subgroups of issues, definitions, quotes from lectures or excerpts from the textbook that are related to the selected topic. Use printed letters, colors, drawings, arrows, and anything else that will make it easier for you to remember it all. The more ornaments, the better!
Create a cheat sheet!
When plan A fails, prepare plan B early on. Writing cheat sheets is also an excellent studying method through topic repetition. Nobody said that you have to use them, but being aware of having study aids will surely give you confidence during the exam.
And if you want to… the Forbidden Pen ® will help you with that! Check out our offer and stock up effectively for the exam.
Sources:
https://interviewme.pl/blog/technika-pomodoro
https://elingwista.com/skuteczne-metody-nauczania-mapa-mysli/
FAQ – How to prepare for a difficult exam in one day
Is it possible to prepare for a difficult exam in one day?
Yes, but only if you focus on the most important topics. Instead of trying to learn everything, concentrate on key concepts and high-impact material that is most likely to appear on the exam.
What should I study first when I only have one day?
Start with the topics you don’t understand and the ones that appear most often in exams. Prioritizing correctly is the most important factor when time is limited.
How can I learn a lot of material in a short time?
Use active recall and short study sessions. Testing yourself and repeating key information works much better than passively reading notes.
Should I try to memorize everything before the exam?
No. It’s more effective to understand the core ideas and focus on the most important information instead of trying to remember every detail.
How do I stay focused when studying under time pressure?
Remove distractions, set clear goals, and divide your study time into shorter blocks. A structured approach helps maintain focus even in stressful situations.
Is it better to study alone or with someone last minute?
Studying alone is usually more efficient when time is very limited, but discussing key topics with someone can help reinforce understanding quickly.
What are the biggest mistakes when studying one day before an exam?
Trying to learn everything, rereading without testing knowledge, and studying without a plan are the most common mistakes that reduce effectiveness.
How important is sleep before a difficult exam?
Sleep is crucial. Even if you study intensively, lack of sleep can reduce focus and memory recall during the exam.