How to study multiple exams at the same time

How to study multiple exams at the same time is a question that many college students ask themselves, especially after a period of deadlock in which they were unable to pursue their study program.

The desire to catch up is great, but one must also be aware that preparing more than one exam at the same time, requires applying more effort and having a well-organized study plan.

Anything is possible as long as you start organized, which is why we have prepared this guide to help students who want to give more exams next session.

The starting point for studying multiple exams at the same time

First of all, we should always keep in mind that everyone is different in the way they approach studying and especially that exams are not all the same:some are more challenging, others less so, it is important to keep this in mind in the organization of the study plan.

If you load yourself with too many expectations, too much pressure and too little organization, you risk arriving close to the session without being sufficiently prepared in any subject. One must set goals that are feasible and achievable.

Studying several subjects at once is absolutely possible, but to do so one must have the correct perception of one’s abilities and limitations and be able to organize oneself in the correct way.

Let’s see together how to do it!

Create a study plan

First, it is important to determine how many exams to give per session. The number can vary depending on the preparation and attendance in class. However, we recommend not overdoing it and sticking to 3, 4 at most.

We said that exams are not all the same; they differ in study load and difficulty. So, if the goal is to prepare several of them at the same time, it is necessary to select them precisely according to these criteria. Ideally, for example, you should choose one large and two smaller exams.

In this way, it is possible to balance energies and be able to perform better in examinations as well.

Start by studying the topics most asked

By studying for multiple exams in the same session, you cannot expect to arrive with flawless preparation; no matter how organized and precise you can be, you always have to deal with time. So what needs to be done?

A key step is to inquire about the most popular topics. Following lectures is certainly an effective way to identify the professor’s favorite topics, i.e., those on which he or she tends to focus, and consequently to ask most frequently during the examination.

The notes taken will become an essential tool. Organizing your study with concept maps will help you study multiple exams at once. To learn more, also read our article Study methods: how to make a concept map

Another thing you can do is to go and listen to other students’ appeals and write down all the questions and also evaluate whether the answers are appreciated or not, so that you know how to process them when it is your turn.

Set daily goals

Now that we know which exams to prepare and what needs to be studied, the next step is the most important one: scheduling.

In the beginning, you always start out full of enthusiasm, but without planning you arrive at some point, in total confusion and risk throwing away all the work done up to that moment.

Creating one’s own schedule and dividing the study into many small daily goals helps to avoid focusing on the idea of upcoming exams, a source of anxiety, and to approach preparation with less pressure and more calm.

Give yourself breaks

Using your time effectively is really important, finding a balance between studies and rest. Time management techniques such as Pomodoro’s technique (study for 25 minutes, break for 5 minutes) can be used to maximize productivity.

Take advantage of downtime, such as travel by bus or train, to do a quick review of notes or delve into some material.

Preparing to tackle multiple programs involves a lot of mental effort; moments of relaxation will be needed to disconnect, regenerate and regain motivation.

In the schedule, it is also essential to mark an entire day to devote to something else: a sport, an excursion, an outing with friends. The important thing is not to be in books.

Study in groups

Studying with your classmates can be helpful, as you can share knowledge and explain topics to each other.

On the In-Domus campuses, there are spaces designed precisely for organizing study groups, also allowing each resident to invite their university colleagues during the day, just so that they can organize group study sessions and tackle subjects they have in common together.

Conclusion

We have seen that taking several exams at once is not an easy task but neither is it impossible; one must have the right spirit and willingness to apply greater effort.

Each person has his or her own learning style, so we also recommend experimenting with different strategies and always adapting your study plan according to your personal needs.
With proper planning, determination and commitment, anyone can succeed in this endeavor.