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Editor's note
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I finished school more than ten years ago but still, I frequently have dreams that I’ve completely forgotten to study for a maths exam, and it’s tomorrow! There are variations on this nightmare. Sometimes I have studied, but I arrive too late and the examiner won’t let me in; or the exam was yesterday and I’ve missed it and now my life is ruined forever.
Thousands of Australian students are in the middle of, or about to start, their end of year exams – unlike me, they can’t just wake up.
But hopefully, the evidence-based tips in our five-part exam package can help them better deal with this stressful period. And actually, as psychologist Mandie Shean explains, stress isn’t so bad. It’s an evolutionary strategy our bodies need to help us succeed – approached correctly, stress can work in our favour.
Of course, we find exams so stressful because we believe the rest of our life hinges on them. But higher education expert Tim Pitman shows that’s not entirely true. Even if you don’t get a great ATAR, or don’t have one at all, there are alternative ways of getting into the university course of your choice.
We’ve also got some cool information on memory to help you study: tips on how to get better exam marks aside from studying; and a piece on whether music helps or hinders study.
Good luck!
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Sasha Petrova
Section Editor: Education
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If you let it work for you, stress can be your secret weapon.
from shutterstock.com
Mandie Shean, Edith Cowan University
Stress is actually our body getting us ready to take on a challenge. A stress response can increase oxygen to the brain and improve attention, focus, energy and determination.
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Knowing how your memory works can help you study better.
from shutterstock.com
Amina Youssef-Shalala, Australian Catholic University
There are three types of memory: sensory, working and long-term. Activating sensory memory is the first step to better learning. This means learning through as many senses as possible.
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More students get into university without having an ATAR than those with one.
from shutterstock.com
Tim Pitman, Curtin University
Universities are increasingly accepting more students into degree programs without an ATAR. Here are some of the most common ways in.
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The amount of sleep you get before an exam can make a difference to your results.
Gregory Pappas/Unsplash
Tom Gordon, University of Sydney
There's no substitute for study, but if you want to help yourself do better in exams, you should get enough sleep, exercise and try to enjoy the process.
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Does music usually put you in a better mood? That might help you try a little bit harder and stick with challenging tasks.
Shutterstock
Timothy Byron, University of Wollongong
Research suggest it's probably fine to listen to music while you're studying - with some caveats.
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RMIT University — Melbourne, Victoria
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Featured events
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B117, Melbourne School of Design, Basement Level, Glyn Davis Building, The University of Melbourne, Parkville , Victoria, 3052, Australia — The Conversation
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Learning and Teaching building, 19 Ancora Imparo Way, Clayton campus, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia — Monash University
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