Study Hacks Before Exams That Actually Work

Exams always seem to sneak up on us, no matter how early in the semester we promise ourselves we will start preparing. But here is the truth: exam week does not have to feel like a mountain you cannot climb. Over the past few semesters, I have been figuring out which study habits help me feel prepared, confident, and calm, when I walk into the exam hall. These habits are not hacks you will find in a random “study in one-night’ TikTok, but they are tried-and-true habits that work in real life.

Start Early and Store It in Long-Term Memory.

I have learned that leaving things to the last minute is not just stressful, it is also ineffective. Instead of trying to cram everything into my head in the final days, I give myself enough time to go over the material weeks in advance. The goal is not to memorise every line but to understand the concepts deeply enough that they stuck.

When I revise closer to the exam, it does not feel like I am learning something new. It feels more like refreshing and recalling, which is a lot easier and less stressful. The earlier you start, the more your brain has time to move that information from short-term to long-term memory.

Practice With Past Papers

Another hack that saves me every single time is past papers. There is something about practicing with actual exam-stye questions that show you exactly where you are strong and where you need to brush up. Instead of just reading notes and hoping I will remember, I test myself.

• Past papers give you a feel for the format of the exam.
• They highlight which sections tend to come up and again.
• They force you to apply knowledge, not just passively read.

Sometimes, the questions reveal gaps I did not even realise I had, which is better to discover a week before the exam than on the actual day.

Write, Don’t Just Read

I used to think highlighting was enough. I would end up with rainbow-coloured notes but struggle to recall the content. Then I realised something: writing while revising is like telling your brain, “This matters.”

So instead of only reading, I write down key points in my own words. This does not have to be fancy. Sometimes, it is bullet points on scrap paper, other times it is mind maps. The act of writing slows me down and makes me process the information instead of just skimming through it.

A small tip: after writing, go back and highlight only the essentials. That way, when you are doing your final review, your eyes land straight on the core ideas.

Plan Your Sessions, Don’t Wing It

One of the biggest mistakes I used to make was sitting down to just study with no plan. Hours would pass, and I would feel like I hadn’t achieved much. Now, break things down:

• Set specific goals (e.g., finish Chapter 3 and do past paper questions).
• Time-block my sessions (like two hours in the morning, two hours after lunch).
• Include breaks, because trying to push through five hours straight is counterproductive.

Even writing down my study plan the night before helps me walk into the day with a clear direction, instead of wasting energy trying to figure out where to start.

Consistency Over Intensity

Finally, I realised that consistency beats intensity every time. It is tempting to pull an all-nighter and feel like you have accomplished something, but smaller daily sessions build stronger understanding. I have never been an “all-nighter” person. My brain simply does not function past midnight, and I have found that respecting my limits makes me more effective.

When you treat studying as a steady process instead of a mash dash, you feel less drained and more in control. Exams do not feel like a sudden disaster you were not prepared for; they feel like the natural step after weeks of preparation.

Study hacks are not about finding shortcuts. They are about creating habits that work with your brain, not against it. Starting early, practicing with past papers, writing notes, and being consistent have all made my exam weeks calmer and less overwhelming. The key is to find a rhythm that helps you feel in control, instead of letting panic set the pace.

If exams are around the corner, try just one of these strategies. You will be surprised at how much lighter everything feels when you approach studying with intention instead of stress.