Stop the Exam Cram

March 29, 2025

Main Message: Feeling overwhelmed is normal, but panic won’t help you retain information. 🚀

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Feeling the Finals Frenzy?

Exams are around the corner, and the panic is starting to set in. The material is piling up, the deadlines are looming, and no matter how many hours you stare at your notes, it feels like you’re getting nowhere. Sound familiar? You’re not alone.

The good news? There’s a smarter way to approach exam prep. Cramming until 3 AM, downing energy drinks, and hoping for the best isn’t the answer. What you need is a system — a structured, effective study plan that brings order to the chaos. And it’s not too late to put one in place.

Let’s break it down step by step.

Step 1: Get Clear on What You Need to Study

Start by taking a deep breath. Then grab your syllabus, lecture notes, and assignments. Identify exactly what topics will be covered on your exams. Prioritize what’s most important by considering:

• Which topics were emphasized the most in class?

• What concepts are still unclear to you?

• Are there past assignments, quizzes, or practice exams you can review?

Create a master list of all topics to study. This helps you see the full picture and avoid last-minute surprises.

Step 2: Break It Down Into Manageable Chunks

Once you know what to study, break it into smaller, bite-sized sections. Instead of thinking, “I need to study everything for biology,” say, “Today, I’ll review photosynthesis and cellular respiration.”

Use the Pomodoro Technique:

• Study for 25 minutes

• Take a 5-minute break

• After four sessions, take a 20-minute break

This keeps your mind fresh and prevents burnout.

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Step 3: Schedule Your Study Sessions

Cramming happens when there’s no clear plan. Instead, use a digital or physical calendar to block study sessions. Be realistic and build in time for breaks, meals, and sleep.

Here’s a simple approach:

• Morning: Focus on challenging topics when your mind is fresh.

• Afternoon: Review concepts with practice problems or quizzes.

• Evening: Light review like summarizing notes or watching concept videos.

Pro Tip: Rotate subjects to keep your brain engaged. Three hours of non-stop calculus will drain you, but alternating with a humanities subject can make studying more manageable.

Step 4: Use Active Learning Methods

Passive studying (like rereading notes) isn’t effective. Instead, engage in active learning using these techniques:

• Summarize: After reading, explain the concept aloud as if you’re teaching a friend.

• Practice Problems: Solve as many practice questions as possible, especially for subjects like math, physics, or chemistry.

• Flashcards: Create or use AI-generated flashcars for key terms and definitions.

• Mind Mapping: Visualize complex concepts by creating diagrams and mind maps.

Step 5: Test Yourself Often

Testing yourself is one of the most effective ways to study. Try these methods:

• Use past exams or practice tests if available.

• Turn textbook questions into mock quizzes.

• Time yourself to simulate real exam conditions.

This builds confidence and highlights areas where you need to focus more.

Step 6: Prioritize Rest and Recovery

Studying 24/7 may seem productive, but it’s counterproductive. Sleep is crucial for memory consolidation. Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep each night.

Stay hydrated, eat nourishing foods, and move your body. Even a 10-minute walk can clear your mind and boost productivity.

Final Thoughts: Stay Calm and Trust the Process

Feeling overwhelmed is normal, but panic won’t help you retain information. By building a clear study system, you’ll reduce anxiety and increase confidence. Stick to your schedule, adjust as needed, and remember — progress is better than perfection.

You’ve got this. Now go tackle those finals with clarity and confidence!

Good luck!

 🚀

Before you go, here are few things I can help with:

I have private coaching spots next week for something I call the Scholar Sprint — a focused, 7-day experience to help you level up how you study, organize, and use AI to get academic work done faster (and with less stress).

It’s designed for students, researchers, or professionals who are:

• Feeling scattered, stuck, or behind

• Curious about using tools like ChatGPT, Notion, or Obsidian

• Wanting to finally build a system that actually fits their life

Here’s what you get: 

✅ Three 1:1 coaching calls (Zoom or Microsoft Teams)
✅ A custom academic dashboard built for you
✅ 7 days of support + check-ins
✅ My AI writing + study prompts vault
All for $500 flat.

Only 3 spots are open — and if you’ve ever wanted help applying what I share in the newsletter to your real life, this is it.

Sign up for your first session here: https://calendly.com/advisorgreg/scholar-sprint-intro-call