In which methods you can use to memorize complex issues

Get an overview

First things first: The huge pile of lecture content must first be examined more closely. The best thing to do is to make a to-do list in good time with all the things that you have to deal with in the preparation for the exam.

Which chapters do you have to work through for which subject, which exercises are important?

At the beginning of the exam preparation you are faced with a mountain of tasks and you can quickly lose track of things. So, put it on paper - that’s the first step.

Create learning plan + template

Do you just live into the day, do not plan leisure activities, time with friends and family or university appointments and just see what happens? NO? Then you shouldn't let yourself down while studying, because having a study plan is half the battle for stress-free exam preparation.

Simply use the to-do list you created previously as input for the learning plan and arrange your tasks chronologically according to importance and time required. Think about how many weeks before the exam you have to start studying in order to cope with the subject matter. With the learning plan you always have an overview of what you still have to do, how long you study for which exam and you don't get confused.

You can download a simple and clear template for creating your study plan for university here for free. So there are no more excuses!

The learning plan not only helps you to keep track of things, it also gives you little sense of achievement in between that will motivate you! You can tick off points that you have worked through and simply cross them off the learning plan. So you can see what you have already achieved and how the work is getting less and less - nice!

Contingency Plan - What to do when you have less than 48 hours to spare

Your exam is in a few days or even tomorrow and you absolutely have no idea how to start?

Here comes our ultimate 48-hour emergency plan to help you get the most out of exam preparation! Here we go:

Step 1: Define the learning time

First of all, find out where possible focal points for the exam could be and filter what you absolutely have to learn. Simply ask your fellow students what they have learned, go through old exams and write down a rough breakdown of the main topics.

Step 2: assess realistically

Let's be honest: you will probably not be able to learn EVERYTHING. But that's okay, getting ready for it doesn't help anymore. Take another look at the exam-relevant content and think about what you can realistically manage and what you can't. What you can no longer create, you can radically cross off the list and concentrate on the essentials.

Step 3: create a schedule

Don't spend too much time on this step. A maximum of half an hour should be enough to write yourself a to-do list for the next 48 hours. Think about how much time you have to spend on which topic and use this as a basis to create your personal schedule for the next few hours and days.

Step 4: find a resting place

Make sure you have a quiet place for the next 48 hours to go through with your plan. The best thing to do is to go to the university library and secure a place in the relaxation room where you can concentrate one hundred percent. If this is no longer free, just let your roommates know that you will disappear into your room for the next two days and that you need some rest.

Step 5: eat properly

Of course, you can no longer think of long lunch breaks and cozy dinners. Nevertheless, your brain needs energy to be able to process the knowledge optimally. So stock up on brain foods and increase your ability to concentrate.

Step 6: pull it through!

Take a deep breath, focus and just pull it off! Stressful hours are coming your way, but see it this way: It will all be over in 48 hours. It's best to do something after the exam that you can really look forward to. This will help you stay on the ball and follow through with the 48-hour contingency plan. You can do it!