How to prepare for the examinations

Since generally examinations are conducted in written format, its preparation has also to be done like wise i.e. in writing. While reading a chapter in the text book, it appears to the student that the subject matter is known to them, but while writing only a part of it comes out. Therefore preparation for final examination has to be done since day one of the joining the class. Any kind of short cuts or ready made notes will not help. Many times more has to be studied throughout the year so that at the time of examination, at least enough comes out. The final phase of preparation should be devoted in solving old question papers only in an examination-like environment at home.

The best way to prepare the up coming examination is to maintain a cool brain and the aspirants should follow the standard text books prescribed for the examinations. By resorting to too many books in the subject concerned, it may create tension. Clarity in the subject is essential and to proceed in the right direction, a notebook enlisting the progress of the study in a particular chapter and incorporation of important points to be elaborated in the examination should be properly logged down. Such a systematic approach would be very vital for smooth preparation.
The authoress has taken pains by noting down all relevant points so that the examination should not appear as a hurdle to the aspirants.

Regular study of the subjects and to have positive attitude at all the costs are the best means to succeed in the examination in a brilliant manner.

In one daily paper, Dr.J.Sangumani, a doctor of Madurai Government Medical College given the following suggestions to the students preparing for examinations:
1.Using Cotton dresses is good. There is possibility of sweating in excess during summer, so it is better to wear cotton dresses.
2.After taking bath, hair should be dried immediately.
3.Drinking more water, that too the water should be boiled before drinking.
4.Not consuming fast foods. Eating half belly food as full belly leads to sleepy.
5.While reading using cleaned apple, orange, grapes etc which energize the body as well brain.
6.Keep the body without constipation. Using carrot, greens, beans etc is good.
7.To avoid tooth ache, brushing twice both morning and night is good.
8.Position of sitting while reading is much important. Lying on the ground/bed and reading should be avoided. Sitting in a correct position in a chair, relaxed position is good.
9.Specs wearing students should wear the specs without fail to avoid head ache.
10.Excess sweating lead to have head ache.
11.Not to wear tight shoes or slippers and avoiding old/wet socks is good.

Sri Ramakrishna Mutt released a book ‘Students! This is for world to watch you' and the tips to improve in examinations as mentioned in the book.
• Tension before examination and fear of memory can be avoided by relaxing our mind one hour before the examination
• Some students remembers but while enters into the exam hall forget everything. To get rid of this problem students should study the subjects well with clear understanding but without mugging up.
• Many students unable to write in the examinations though studied well. To remove this fear, students should train themselves by writing the studied subjects.
• A question raised in students as writing practicing is a time waste. This is not correct as one time writing is equal to ten times reading.
• While reading one subject the other unread subjects are coming in mind in some students' case. To remove this problem the students should fix time for each subject and concentrate in the reading subject by having in mind that they are going to study in the next allotted time.
• To avoid distraction the concentration from studying the students should 1. Stop watching Television, cinemas etc., 2.using mobile often 3.wandering outside 4.discussing or thinking about sports and games.
• When having confusion in mind it is unable to study is the complaint of many students. To get rid of this the suggestion is lack of interest and lack of target leads to confusion. Lest, Intention and hard work leads to the level of out of confusion.
• How to get rid of the interferences is the question in some students. For this, the interferences should be analysed whether is from our side or outside and plan accordingly to get rid from this.
• Using Mobiles and computer distract our concentration may be correct on one side, the students should see the limitation of using them with purpose.
• Some students may ask whether individual preparation or group study is better. Answer for this is explained as unless one student have something with him to explain/share with others group study is waste and in such cases the students should study individually to get himself to that level.
• A question rose among the student whether loud study or silently study is better. For this silent study is best as loud study may interrupt others.

Parents play an important role at the time of examinations and during the preparatory holidays. It is quite common that fear and tension would try to find some space at this juncture and a positive motivation is needed from parents and teachers. Time management is crucial one which helps the students to cover the syllabus and make a proper revision and parents have to monitor their schedule periodically. Previous years' question papers and some ready reference should be practiced well and the running notes should be gone through. Reading hours should be strictly followed and early morning hours are best reading time apart from night studies. Proper sleep should be there and night continual study should be avoided before the day of the exam. This results in exertion in the examination hall and chances of forgetting what we have read may not be ruled out.

While attempting the question papers, one should go through the paper thoroughly and attempt the questions which the candidate is sure of and confident. This would help in gaining confidence and attempting the other questions.

Start preparing beforehand and consume moderate hours for study instead of studying whole day when the exams are fast approaching. Study the chapters in the order you feel comfortable, but maintain a notepad or notebook for that purpose. Whatever notes you prepare should be kept neat and tidy.

Read the textbooks also and find out the assignments behind each chapter.

When the exams are fast approaching, begin revising.

Only a healthy student will be able to prepare well for the examination and as the exam approaches, more care needs to be taken when it comes to health and well-being. However, the opposite happens. As exams approach, we see that students, especially those who have not prepared for their exams well, start skipping their balanced meals and randomly pick something unhealthy that can be finished within minutes on the go. They do this so that they can use the rest of the time to learn the subject as much as possible. Consequently, they are subjecting themselves to more stress. Already, the mind is under so much stress and when the body is not taken good care of, it does not support the mind in any way. Therefore, the priority should be to eat well-balanced nutritious meals at frequent intervals throughout the year and especially during exam time.

Secondly, it is important to get adequate sleep. It is because sleep helps in reducing stress. Sleep deprivation can decrease the attention span. Consequently, students will take up too much time in understanding and in learning the concept. Also, they will find it difficult to recollect or remember what is already learnt. Thus, never sacrifice sleep for studies. As the exam approaches, students need to relax more and revise. It is not a period to learn anything new. Learning has to be done throughout the year followed by frequent revisions.

Experiment a little with your study place. Vary locations a little. Sometimes students should study on their own. Sometimes, they can form study groups with their friends. Sometimes they should study in their study room sitting on their chair in front of their study table, sometimes in their friends' homes, and sometimes in their school library. Sometimes they can study in their garden or a public park. This location change will not bore them and always keep their mind refreshed. The brain forms a connection between the concept that is studied and the background. When the background is frequently changed, it will enable the student to remember the studied content more easily. It improves memory retention.