Top 5 Common Mistakes Students Make When Preparing for Exams

Written By Scholarly’s Editorial Minion, Rashini D Selvasegaran

You heard us right! Exams are around the corner. We are sure most of you are cramming your revisions in the libraries or huddling in study groups to prepare for your upcoming tests. Whether you realise it or not, you may be making these 5 mistakes that are hindering your productivity!

Read on to find out how you can quickly correct them.

P.S. Our intern spills her favourite study tools!

1. Procrastinating

Every teacher, parent, and motivational speaker will relay the same message:

Stop procrastinating!

This simple principle is the hardest to cultivate, requiring resilience and discipline. To make stu-dying less of a chore and more of an innate drive for self-improvement, check out these famous studying applications students use:

Forest (Android & iOS)
This application helps you stay focused by growing a virtual tree as you work. If you leave the app, your tree dies, motivating you to stay on task.

Our editorial intern grows her tree like her life depends on it.

Habitica (Android & iOS)
Turn your tasks into a game! Habitica transforms your to-do list into an RPG where you can level up your character by completing tasks.

Focus To-Do (Android & iOS)
This application combines the Pomodoro Technique with task management. The cute interface entices students to stay focused!
Study Bunny (Android & IOS)
This cute and interactive app lets you study with a virtual bunny companion. Earn coins to care for your bunny when you stay focused on your task.

These applications cultivate students’ discipline of staying focused whilst making studying engaging and fun!

2. Not Creating Study Notes

Guilty of saying that you will write down your class notes once you reach home? Chances are, you will only cram them before an examination.

Having a digital tool is an easy way to cultivate the note-taking habit that can act as your revision notes! If you are not a fan of physical notes, below are some note-taking applications that we recommend!

Microsoft OneNote (Android & iOS )
A versatile digital notebook that allows students to organise notes, add multimedia, and sync across devices.
Evernote (Android & iOS)
A popular app for capturing and organising notes, tasks, and reminders, with features like tags and document scanning.
Notion (Android & iOS)
A powerful tool for taking notes, organising projects, and collaborating with others, all within a flexible, customizable workspace.

3. Poor Time Management Skills

Being a student is not easy. Having to juggle school, extracurriculars, and supplementary classes may wreak havoc on your time management capabilities. That’s why having a trusty organising tool works wonders in organising your day-to-day.

A clear visualisation of your tasks reduces the risk of forgetting important assignments. Besides having a physical planner to jot down your schedule, here are some digital applications we recommend!

Google Calendar (Android & iOS)
A popular and easy-to-use app for managing your schedule, setting reminders, and syncing events across devices.
Microsoft Outlook (Android & iOS)
More than just an email app, Outlook includes a powerful calendar feature for scheduling and managing events, with integration across devices.
Todoist (Android & iOS)
A task management app that also offers calendar integration, allowing you to organise your schedule and tasks in one place.

4. No Study-Life balance

Studying is important, but resting your mind and body should also be prioritised. If you push yourself too hard when studying, you risk having an emotional and physical burnout right before your examinations.

Eat well, play well and study hard.

That’s the balance we wish every student could achieve.

Understand that while academic goals are important, you deserve a rest. Doing some exercise, eating a meal with your friends or journaling your thoughts are ways to incorporate balance into your daily schedule.

5. Not Seeking Help

It may be frustrating for students to not grasp certain concepts taught in school. If you have consulted your teachers after lessons, form study sessions with friends, and still don’t understand certain topics, what should you do next?

Well, it’s time to consider having a tutor to guide you!

At Scholarly, our marketplace offers over a diverse range of tutors with stellar portfolios and expertise. Students can view the tutor's profile, read through their qualifications, and see past students' reviews to assess their suitability. And the best part?

Our application is completely free to use!

Download us from the Google Play Store or the Apple Store and start searching for a tutor to support you during your exam preparations!

Moreover, recognise when you need additional support during your schooling days. We want you to know that it is perfectly normal to feel down at times. What's important is to recognise when your emotions get too heavy to carry them on your own. If you can’t cope with school, meet with your school counsellors or someone you are comfortable with to share your thoughts. Sharing your worries with someone you trust relieves stress and prevents a detrimental impact on your mental health.

If you find yourself needing more support, please visit CHAT mental health resources for assistance.

Remember, it is brave to seek help.

We hope this article helps you identify and correct these mistakes before your tests. Being in control of your time is the first step to ensuring your exam preparations do not cost you your health.

From the team at Scholarly, all the best for your examinations!