The end of the semester is rapidly approaching, and you know what that means: exam time is just around the corner.

You still have a few weeks to go before exams start, and according to Samantha Diamond, a former Student Success Facilitator at Fanshawe's Learning Centre and current Professor in the Schools of Business and Language and Liberal Studies, getting started on those study notes early can help you avoid a lot of stress later.

"To avoid cramming, you have to start studying sooner," advised Diamond. "The best way to prevent yourself from cramming is to start thinking ahead and planning."

There are a few different ways to organize your study notes, and The Learning Centre has dozens of information sheets that can help you figure out the most effective study methods for your learning style.

"Some people make mind-map study notes, where you have the topic in the centre, and then you have the main branches of the topic branching out," explained Diamond. "You have the supporting points off of the main branches." This could be an effective study method for visual learners, who like to be able to see physical connections between concepts.

For other learners, Diamond recommended the Cornell note-taking system. Each page is divided into three sections: class notes go on the right side; key terms and words go on the left next to the corresponding notes; and you can include a summary of what you learned on the bottom. "It makes it really easy when you go to study - you can cover up the right side," said Diamond. "Getting in the habit of doing that could be really beneficial."

No matter how you organize your study notes, Diamond mentioned that the most important part of studying is making connections. "You want to make sure you can relate material that you previously learned with your new material," she continued. "Exams will often ask you to make connections between two different topics. Really understanding how something works can help you apply that information on a test, rather than just regurgitating it."

You're studying most effectively when you're studying things you know will be on the test. Diamond suggested students ask their professors if the exam will cover material from throughout the semester or just after the midterm. She also suggested looking to the syllabus for hints about what will be on the test, and revisiting the textbook for further clues. "Use chapter reviews to practice and ensure you understand the material," she added.

And if you're the type of student who absolutely must cram, Diamond had some tips for you as well.

"What you don't want to do is stay up all night. You'll end up being tired and then you'll drink coffee in the morning. Then you'll be tired and overstimulated and you won't do well on your exams - you'll just be a mess!" she said.

"Even if you haven't finished studying as much as you want to, you need to just go to sleep at some point. You're not going to get everything in ... It's just not possible at that point. It's better to be rested than to know everything."

Another important point to remember is to arrive at the exam early to give yourself some time to calm down and mentally prepare to take the test. If you can, avoid talking to other students before going in to the test room. They will distract you, rattle your focus and make you more nervous, said Diamond. Instead, bring your study notes and try to focus on them instead.

Diamond had one final tip to do well on exams: "Have positive thoughts! Sometimes if you think negatively, you just can't perform well. If you think you're going to well, sometimes you just will. Once the stress is gone, often students leave exams and they remember the information because they're not stressed anymore. Sometimes stress can just kill people on exams."

more information about study styles and exam preparation, as well as free weekly workshops about time management, note-taking and more, visit The Learning Centre in A2019 or check them out online: www.fanshawec.ca/tlc.