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| Cramming: A student’s
last resort when studying for exams |
Sarah Howell
Features Beat
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Jacque Lenz | The Appalachian A student studies before an
exam to learn class material. Many students wait to study until
final moments, which can prove to be a detrimental habit. Studying
over the course of a semester can be less stressful.
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It never fails.
It’s midnight, your final exam is in less than 12 hours and
you can’t even remember what the textbook you were supposed
to be studying all semester looks like.
Months of procrastination have finally caught up to you. Get the
books, grab the coffee and take one last look at that beautiful
bed—it’s time to cram.
As long as there are college students, there will be cramming,
and everyone handles all-nighters differently.
“I usually take a nap around 9ish and then get up and study.
I drink a lot of caffeine, mostly Coke,” sophomore marketing
major Lisa E. Glass from Fuquay-Varina said. |
“I
drink a lot of Dr. Pepper and smack myself,” junior special
education major W. Andrew Stover from High Point said.
Cramming, although it is never the best learning tool, is inevitable.
There is always that one class. However, as overwhelming as learning
an entire course in one night can be, cramming can offer a chance
for success, if done properly.
The most important aspect of cramming is organization.
The Counseling and Psychological Service of the University of
North Carolina at Chapel Hill (caps.unc.edu) offers a four-step
cramming process that can help organize some of that last-minute
chaos.
The first step is making choices. You cannot learn it all in one
night. Decide what material is vital and learn that material forwards
and backwards. Sometimes making an outline can help. Do not try
to go over everything lightly; chances are, you will not remember
any of it under pressure.
The next step is to understand that flashcards are your friend.
Rewriting the information from your outline or your notes to index
cards will not only help engrain it into your brain, it will also
allow you to study faster.
Step three: Recite ad nauseam. Repetition will burn the facts
into your head. Repeat the information aloud again and again and
again. Even when you are sure you have the information down, say
it again. Pacing back and forth can also help with memorization
and the motion will keep you awake.
Finally, try to stay relaxed. Resist that urge to panic. Take
breaks, or try a few relaxation techniques such as deep breathing.
Whatever you choose, make sure it will not take more than 15 minutes—your
goal is studying.
According to the Unofficial Student Manual (www.student-manual.com),
environment is another key factor while cramming.
Get away from all distractions. This includes turning off the
television and the precious instant messenger, especially if you
are using the computer. The temptation to chat might be too much
and will definitely get you distracted.
Music is OK if it helps, but try to pick something upbeat with
no words.
As far as clothes, comfy—not snuggly—is the way to go.
Slippers and pajamas are for sleeping, not studying.
Finally, settle down in an upright, non-cushy chair. Do not study
on your bed; when the wee hours of the morning roll around those
pillows will start looking more and more comfortable and before
you know it, exam time has come to find you running across campus
with unread notes in hand.
So you’ve been studying your flashcards, in your non-distracting
upright position for about three hours now but man, you are tired
and hungry.
Most students immediately run to the coffee pot or the vending
machine, but those are not necessarily the most energizing substances
for your body.
GetSchooled.com offers an alternative to caffeine and junk food
titled “The Granola Approach.”
This method relies mainly on a huge well-balanced dinner and healthy
snacks.
Eat as much as you can at dinner, but not so much that it will
take forever to digest. This will give your body the energy it
needs to push through the night.
While studying, drink a lot of water and snack on dried fruit
and granola bars.
Water keeps your body refreshed and can actually be more energizing
than coffee, which dehydrates you.
The granola provides protein, which also gives your body bursts
of energy.
However, for those who have a strong bond to their coffee mug,
caffeine can do the job. Just remember to span it out and always
drink lots of water.
Do not use drugs. Not only do they have unpleasant side effects,
they do not guarantee to get you through the night, especially
if you take too much.
“I had to study for three tests so I took two Yellow Jackets
after drinking some caffeinated tea, even though the package says
specifically not to do that; I thought I was special. I fell asleep
after an hour and threw up the next day,” one student said.
Most diet pills such as Yellow Jackets that students take to get
through the night contain ephedrine—a potentially dangerous
substance that works a lot like ecstasy. It raises your metabolism,
which strains your heart.
Caffeine is a much safer alternative.
Always remember, cramming is a last resort not a replacement for
actually learning the material.
It also does not guarantee a good grade. Hopefully neglecting
your bed for a night will pay off in the end. If not, tack that
awful test grade up on your refrigerator as a wonderful reminder
of what not to do. |
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