Learning from Students Who Excel: Their Approach to Exam Prep

Image Credit: pexels.com

In the lead up to exam season, we wanted to understand how top performing students build their study routines. Student developed strategies have a particular value. They emerge from real deadlines, real pressure, and real trial and error. The following perspectives come from two of our student staff who have refined their methods over time. The first is a third year psychology major referred to as Julia, an alias. The second is a pre-law student referred to as Bernard, also an alias. Their approaches differ in style yet converge on core principles that support both performance and wellbeing. Campus resources such as Student Academic Success Services (SASS) at Queen’s University complement their strategies and offer additional structure when needed. 

Perspective One: Julia, a Third Year Psychology Major (Alias) 

Active Engagement 

Julia’s preparation begins with active engagement rather than passive reading. She avoids relying on highlighting since it often creates the illusion of learning without strengthening memory. She practices material in the same format in which she will be tested, using AI generated multiple choice questions that reflect exam design. This reduces uncertainty and prepares her to recognize the patterns and logic behind exam items. She deepens understanding through both short and long responses that require her to retrieve information from memory. This technique aligns with principles from cognitive psychology, which show that active recall strengthens long term retention far more effectively than rereading. 

Spaced Learning 

Her study plan follows a month-long structure. She rotates between courses at steady intervals so that she returns to material repeatedly over time; a study strategy known as interleaving. Spaced practice prevents overload, strengthens memory through reactivation, and reduces the risk of leaving large topics untouched until the final days. Julia also tracks areas she finds challenging and devotes extra attention to them, knowing that weaker concepts improve only through targeted practice. 

Balancing Group & Private Study 

Group study is used carefully. She chooses peers who create a supportive atmosphere, since comparison can heighten anxiety and disrupt focus. Her wellbeing practices are deliberate. Sleep is treated as part of the learning process because fatigue weakens memory, problem solving, and emotional steadiness. She avoids relying on energy drinks because they create sharp spikes in alertness followed by crashes and can increase anxiety. Greater water intake and balanced meals give her steadier energy across long study days. 

Seeking Professional Support 

She attends office hours with teaching assistants and professors whenever clarification is needed. A short conversation often resolves misunderstandings that might otherwise carry through an entire subject. Practice exams serve as one of her key tools. They reveal gaps, provide clearer pacing, and allow her to experience the structure of the assessment before the actual test. She treats exam anxiety as a normal reaction and encourages students to seek support from SASS when tension becomes overwhelming. 

Focus Techniques 

Julia works in concentrated intervals using a Pomodoro style method: twenty minutes of focused work followed by a five-minute break. Short bursts make it easier to begin difficult tasks and keep her attention steady without exhaustion. She studies at a quiet campus corner near natural light, which she finds improves concentration, and she remains motivated by imagining how her efforts contribute to long term goals in mental health research. 

Perspective Two: Bernard, a Pre Law Student (Alias) 

Time Management 

I like to start preparing well before an exam. If my exam is on the 14th, I usually give myself 10 to 12 days to review. That window lets me map out what needs to be covered, including readings, cases and any practice questions, without feeling rushed. I also begin each term by looking closely at the course outline, the types of exams and the weight of each assignment so I know exactly what I am preparing for. 

I rarely spend an entire day on a single subject. I combine different tasks and courses in one study day so my brain does not fatigue from focusing on the same material. For example, I might review cases in the morning, outline an essay in the afternoon and finish with practice questions in the evening. That rhythm reflects what exam periods feel like, when multiple courses demand attention at the same time. 

Active Recall 

A lot of my studying relies on active recall. I write my own practice questions and hypothetical cases, then try to answer them from memory. This helps me test what I actually understand and strengthens both my reasoning and my ability to apply material to new scenarios. As the exam gets closer, I add timed practice questions and short written answers. Simulating exam conditions helps me manage pacing and reduces stress on the actual day. 

Strategic Breaks 

Breaks are essential. Sometimes I use the Pomodoro method to structure focused blocks with short pauses. Other times I study for a few hours, then rest in bed or step away for a longer reset. Those pauses keep me from burning out and help me return with more focus. 

Sleep is a priority. I aim for 7 to 8 hours each night, especially during busy weeks. Caffeine drinks are fine in moderation, but they never replace proper rest. I notice that my reasoning, writing and memory decline quickly when I cut sleep. 

Quality matters more than sheer hours. Studying for eight hours while distracted is rarely as effective as five hours of concentrated work. During focused blocks, I put my phone away, keep notifications off and work in a quiet library corner so that my attention stays on the task in front of me. During exam periods, I set specific windows to check messages so digital distractions do not take over. 

Physical Activity 

Movement also supports my studying. The gym is my main break activity. Exercise clears my head, reduces stress and makes it easier to sit down and focus afterward. I keep regular meals and try to move every day, even if it is only a short walk. 

Balancing External Support & Private Practice 

Most of my studying is independent because I focus best on my own. Once or twice a week I meet with classmates to talk through cases or arguments. Hearing how others reason through the same material helps me see gaps in my understanding and sharpens my own arguments. If a concept still feels unclear after I review it, I take it to office hours or ask a teaching assistant. Small misunderstandings can grow quickly in law-related subjects, so I try to clear them up early. 

This combination of early preparation, subject rotation, active recall, intentional breaks, solid sleep and focused study time helps me manage a demanding pre-law schedule. When motivation drops, I think about why I chose pre-law and picture the kind of advocacy work I hope to do. That reminder keeps my daily routine connected to my long-term goals. 

Why These Strategies Work 

Many of the habits described by Julia and Bernard align with well studied principles in cognitive psychology. Spaced practice supports long term memory. Active recall strengthens understanding by forcing the brain to reconstruct information rather than passively receive it. Practice that mirrors exam format improves both accuracy and confidence. Sleep stabilizes attention and consolidates learning. Breaks prevent mental fatigue and protect motivation. 

Their approaches also demonstrate that different disciplines require different emphases. Julia’s work centers on conceptual understanding and memory. Bernard’s focuses on argumentation and timed reasoning. The underlying principles are similar, yet the applications reflect the demands of their fields. 

Conclusion 

These two perspectives show that effective exam preparation depends on consistent, intentional habits rather than last minute intensity and cramming. Active recall, long range study plans, subject rotation, practice assessments, healthy routines, selective collaboration, and structured small steps create a reliable framework for success. Students can adapt these strategies to their own disciplines, drawing on campus supports such as SASS to strengthen confidence and wellbeing. The work may be demanding, yet gradual structure, thoughtful practice, and steady routines create a foundation that supports both academic performance and long-term learning.