The days leading up to a test can be exhausting, especially if you have not yet mastered the material. If you are going to be tested on a large amount of content, it can also be a lot of work to go back and remember what you learned weeks ago. There is nothing more irksome than planning on accomplishing something but ending up getting distracted, unmotivated, or discouraged from the task at hand.

A significant factor that may play a part in the amount of work you are actually getting done, is your physical location. While the library may be ideal for some, it may not work for others. You may study best at home, outside, in a study room, or at a coffee shop. Having a location where you are focused and driven to continue your work makes a difference in your productivity. It is also a good idea to change up where you study. I normally study at the library; however, this can get boring every once and a while, so I try to get some fresh air and study outside. You can get creative with where you study whether this is in a hammock, in different buildings you never thought of, or anywhere that motivates you.

If you realized you have been in the same spot for hours but haven't got nearly as far as you hoped you would, maybe reconsider your study methods. If your current methods have not been effective for you, it is never too late to explore new study methods. There are a variety of tests scattered over the internet that identifies your learning style, and based on this, it gives you suggestions for study techniques. You can study with a group of friends and discuss the concepts in your owns words, make flash cards with index cards or online tools such as Quizlet or Anki, watch videos and actively take notes, listen to an audio of the material while exercising or maybe just review your weaknesses. Your study method may vary from class to class as some classes are dependent on memorization, while others may test how well you can think through problems. For instance, I study for my chemistry class by repeatedly doing practice problems. For some other classes, I study by drawing out what is happening.

You may find that studying with the right people will improve your test scores. Those who get distracted easily may find they are most productive while studying alone. It may be fun to study with your friends, but you may want to think about if you are really getting anything done. I've found that studying with acquaintances is very effective for me. You are with someone who you are friends with so the situation is comfortable, someone you can ask questions and discuss the material with, and you may not get too off-topic as you would studying with your best friends. Also, being around someone or a group of people that are hard-working and motivated is also ideal because that positive energy will spread.

Studying for an upcoming test is often a multi-step process. Maybe you have to review your notes, relearn certain topics, or even go to office hours to get help on a concept. Although I would recommend studying and asking questions as you learn the material, new questions and confusion can easily arise after attempting to regurgitate a massive amount of information. Because of this, organization is key. Try putting together a clear study schedule where you outline day by day the steps you are going to take to obtain the grade you want. For example, Monday may consist of reviewing notes on two topics and asking a question you have. It helps to write it all out because then you can visualize each step which may motivate you to follow through with your plan. Be sure to be as specific as possible.

Lastly, taking breaks and rewarding yourself is just as important as the difficult aspects of studying. If you have been studying for an hour straight, try getting up, stretching, visiting a friend, or going for a walk to clear your mind. Studying for hours on hours is stressful and you will not be able to focus as well as you would if you gave yourself a break. Your break is often not as relaxing as it should be if you go from staring at your computer screen to staring at your phone. In addition, don't forget to reward yourself as you go! You worked hard and devoted much time and energy to accomplishing a goal, which calls for some sort of reward. Whether this means taking a day or a moment to relax, getting a coffee or hanging out with your friends, treating yourself serves as a motivator to do it all again.