We asked students from around the world how they keep their focus as exam time looms. By Camilla Berens, freelance journalist.
Keeping focused on your studies is tough. There's always plenty to distract you. For example, it can be particulary difficult when you're under pressure in your job and exams fall at your busiest time at work. How do CIMA students face up to the challenge and keep their motivation?
'To keep motivated, it's essential to prepare a study timetable and stick to it,' says Barati Mogane, a Unilever trainee in South Africa. 'Having a clear study plan also helps to track your progress and stay on target to cover the entire syllabus by exam time.'
Spread out your studies
Simon Steel, a student in Australia, begins his new studies as soon as he can after each exam.
'I spread out my studies as much as possible, as invariably it gets busier in the office just before exam time.'
This also helps Simon to keep an even pace to his life as a student. 'Motivation can be tough especially if you're distance learning,' he says. 'But I set myself a realistic goal of say, reading one chapter, and the relevant questions, per week.'
Customise your revision timetable
In Iran, CIMA student Ladan Nasiri is also methodical about her studies. She dedicates the month leading up to each exam to revision.
'This gives me the time to pace myself,' she says. 'However, I'm lucky because my busiest times at work are at the beginning and end of the year. So it's quite easy for me to structure my study timetable in a way that it doesn't clash too much with work commitments.'
In Malaysia, Benjamin Chin Fook Chuan says he works best under pressure and has formulated his revision timetable accordingly.
'It's a fancy way of saying I'm a last minute person,' he laughs. 'I normally leave serious studying to about a month before the exams. During this time, I use my 1-2-3-4 formula,' he continues.
'This means one week of reading and note taking, two weeks of doing questions, three days of reading post exam guides and practising questions; and a final four days of reviewing all the materials.'
Practice exam papers
When it comes to studying past exam papers, it's a case of practice makes perfect. Herman Chow, a CIMA student in Hong Kong says doing well in exams is just as much about speed as knowledge.
'It's really important to keep practising examination papers,' he says. 'You can't win this game if you're slow or you spend too much time on certain questions. It's a simulation of the real life workplace and you need to become proficient in time management.'
Don't be tempted to cut corners either.
In Ireland, Deloitte trainee Alice Carroll says this is particularly important with the accounting papers. 'Answer the questions without having the answers nearby,' she says. 'There's a temptation just to read the questions and then read the answers. But you don't get any benefit from that. You need to challenge yourself to find the solution without any help.'
Make time for yourself
Alice also points out that students shouldn't forget to reward themselves once in a while. 'To study well, I need to feel focused and positive,' she says. 'That means making sure that I have a good balance between work and leisure.' Alice has CIMA lectures on Sundays and afterwards she goes horse riding.
'It's good to have a proper mental break from work. It wouldn't be the same if I just sat down in front of the TV. I'd always be thinking that I ought to be studying.'
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