Summary
Highlights
The speaker acknowledges the panic associated with having only 24 hours before an exam, often due to procrastination or other commitments. He recounts past experiences of feeling overwhelmed and failing, but asserts that it's possible to make a significant difference in this short timeframe.
The first crucial step is to realistically assess available study time. This involves blocking out non-negotiable activities like sleep (8 hours) and other commitments. Planning like this helps identify actual study blocks, showing that 24 hours isn't all usable study time but highlights the specific gaps to utilize.
Instead of working through questions first, the speaker advises studying directly from mark schemes and answers. This ensures learning correct material and focuses on the 'bare minimum' content examiners look for. It's an efficient way to identify known topics and concentrate efforts on weaknesses, similar to filling potholes where needed rather than spreading resources thinly.
Study sessions should be structured using the FRILS method: frequent, regular, intense, limited sessions (ideally around 60-90 minutes). This approach leverages the brain's highest productivity in the initial hour, making learning more efficient. Active learning methods like flashcards, past papers, and utilizing spaced repetition by incorporating breaks are recommended for better retention.
Multi-sensory learning is highly effective, especially when time is short. Watching educational videos (like Cognito for biology concepts) or walkthroughs of past papers can provide fresh perspectives and link visual and auditory senses to theoretical knowledge, aiding understanding and memory, particularly for complex or practical subjects like math.
The final tip is to manage anxiety during the exam. Once all preparation is done, panicking can hinder performance. Students are encouraged to trust their efforts, relax, and focus on demonstrating their knowledge, as anxiety can lead to losing easy marks. Results are a reflection of actions, emphasizing the importance of staying calm.