2 answers
Heather
Student
Newark, Illinois
1
Question
2 answers
Paul Goetzinger MPA
Academic and Career Advisor | Freelance Writer | TRIO Program Director
1098
Answers
Tacoma, Washington
Updated
Paul’s Answer
I strongly advise against cramming, because it as an ineffective and physically draining approach to learning. You might try using the following analogies and principles:
The Marathon Analogy: Long study sessions and cramming is like "running a full marathon the day before an actual marathon competition". Basically, if a student is physically and mentally exhausted from last-minute overexertion, their actual exam performance will suffer significantly.
Mental Fatigue Limits: The brain, much like the body, and it has a specific endurance limit. It can only process new information effectively for about 20 minutes before fatigue sets in. So, study for 20 minute intervals, and then take a small break to refresh the mind.
Declining Returns: When students try to cram for long, uninterrupted stretches (such as an hour), they typically only remember the first third of what they read. Once the brain is fatigued, it stops processing new information entirely, making the remaining time spent "studying" wasted effort. If you want to test this concept, try reading a book for an hour. You will find that you only remembered the first one third of what you read. The rest was not processed because your brain got fatigued and stopped processing the information you read.
Light Review Alternative: Instead of cramming, I recommend performing only light reviews the day before an exam to alleviate fatigue and ensure that the student is at "peak performance" on the day of the test.
Success through Preparation: I can also cite the John Wooden maxim that "failing to prepare is preparing to fail," which means that that organized, interval-based schedules are the only reliable way to achieve high results.
The Marathon Analogy: Long study sessions and cramming is like "running a full marathon the day before an actual marathon competition". Basically, if a student is physically and mentally exhausted from last-minute overexertion, their actual exam performance will suffer significantly.
Mental Fatigue Limits: The brain, much like the body, and it has a specific endurance limit. It can only process new information effectively for about 20 minutes before fatigue sets in. So, study for 20 minute intervals, and then take a small break to refresh the mind.
Declining Returns: When students try to cram for long, uninterrupted stretches (such as an hour), they typically only remember the first third of what they read. Once the brain is fatigued, it stops processing new information entirely, making the remaining time spent "studying" wasted effort. If you want to test this concept, try reading a book for an hour. You will find that you only remembered the first one third of what you read. The rest was not processed because your brain got fatigued and stopped processing the information you read.
Light Review Alternative: Instead of cramming, I recommend performing only light reviews the day before an exam to alleviate fatigue and ensure that the student is at "peak performance" on the day of the test.
Success through Preparation: I can also cite the John Wooden maxim that "failing to prepare is preparing to fail," which means that that organized, interval-based schedules are the only reliable way to achieve high results.
Yoav Traeger
Bid Manager
140
Answers
Kiryat Ono, Tel Aviv District
Updated
Yoav’s Answer
It is completely understandable that as a high school senior you are looking ahead and preparing for the unique challenges of college exams, and it is a sign of great foresight that you are seeking the most effective strategies now. While there are many great study methods, perhaps the single best tip for college exams is to adopt a strategy called*active recall and pair it with spaced repetition, which means you should move beyond simply rereading your notes or highlighting and instead force your brain to retrieve information without looking at the material—you can do this by using flashcards, teaching the material to a friend, or summarizing concepts from memory on a blank page—and then intentionally review that material in short bursts over several days or weeks instead of cramming right before the test. This technique, unlike passive studying, strengthens the memory pathways in your brain by mimicking the demands of the actual exam and allows the information to genuinely stick, giving you the confidence and clarity you need on test day; remember that the way you study matters just as much as how much you study, and by mastering this skill now, you are building a foundational habit that will serve you throughout your entire academic career. You have already demonstrated a proactive approach to your future success, and I wish you the very best of luck in your preparation for college!
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