This used to be me -- yes I was that kid -- before every single test I took. Most people seem to think that cramming is an effective last-minute study tool. In reality, it causes the test taker unnecessary added stress as well as causing their mind to become jumbled. Studies show that cramming can actually cause students to do worse than those who don't. This fact came to light while I was googling helpful study to tips for the AP exam I will be taking in May, and I decided to try it out in my classes at school. I've definitely noticed a difference. Now, instead of racing to remind myself of key points, I take the time to calmly collect my thoughts and allow my brain to sort through the material I know.
The second half of my title, "Take a Hike", is in reference to an odd pre-test routine that my middle school Spanish teacher taught all her classes. She had read that walking backwards before an exam initiated a person's fight or flight response. In nature, when an animal is threatened, they will either A) fight back or B) run away. Walking backwards heightens our awareness and supposedly allows a student to pay greater attention to detail.
While I haven't read any official scientific studies on the subject, I have noticed that I seem to do better when I walk backwards before a test. Maybe it's the placebo effect, and I'm only doing well because I think I'll do well since I followed my routine. Either way, I'm grateful for the process.
Both of these examples personally surprised me a lot. I was hesitant to stop cramming at first, but now I've realized that it is benefiting me academically. And while walking backwards might seem weird, and I do have to explain myself to my classmates at times, I really believe that it too has had a positive effect on me as a student. Maybe some people do benefit from cramming, and maybe the idea of getting up and walking before a test just isn't for them. Everyone learns differently and everyone has a different formula for success. This is part of mine.