Realistic time planning

Prepare a rough plan for the learning units that you gradually learn over the weeks leading up to the exam. This gives you an overview of the learning material and gradually gives you a sense of achievement.

Take breaks

It is important to take regular breaks during the learning phase. It is recommended to take a break of 1 to 10 minutes after half an hour to one hour of intensive learning. In the breaks, you should completely detach yourself from the learning material and move yourself. This is best done with fresh air. So open your window or go around the block. This is how your brain can process what you have learned and then you have a clear head to concentrate.

Form learning group

Sometimes you just can’t get on. Pounding over a learning unit without understanding the learning material. It can help to exchange with others. In learning groups one can exchange information about the subject matter, explain and query each other's things. Learning together also increases the pressure to consistently achieve learning goals and has a positive effect on motivation. It is enough to meet a few hours in the study group. You do not have to spend a whole day together.

Find your own type of learning

Scientific theories assume that we can distinguish four types of learning. Knowing which type of learner you are will help you prepare for exams. Because this way you can increase the conditions for efficient learning.

The four learning types are:

The visual - loves colours, works well with sticky notes, reads a lot, videos and mind maps help him to learn

The auditory - likes to listen to the learning material, mumbles to himself, a dictaphone can help him with learning

The communicative - advocates the learning material itself, discusses the learning material with other learners, learning groups are helpful for him

The motor skills - learning while standing or walking, going for a walk with flashcards and role playing in a study group can help  

Find suitable learning methods

There are many learning methods. Which method fits best , is very individual. Therefore we introduce you to three methods.

1. Mind-Mapping:
You write the test topic in the middle of a sheet and all relevant technical terms, theses and explanations around it. Chaotic at first sight? Might be. But it helps to arrange the learning material and is suitable for the beginning. Besides, after the first mind-mapping, you can just do one more mind-map and get the previous chaos organized.
2. Index cards:
On the side of a card, you name the term to be learned. On the other side comes the definition or explanation. Then mix the cards and then it says: practice! Expressions that you receive perfectly can then be sorted out. Go through all the cards just before the exam.
3. Speed Reading:
Especially when doing written exams, it can take a lot of time reading different texts. Really fast reading takes a lot of training. It’s much more time-saving just to scan the text. You scan him for special terms and keywords. The rest is ignored. If you mark that, the according passages will return faster.

As part of our offer to promote skills, which we reissue every semester, there are also workshops and courses on exam preparation. Just look in our event overview under the tab learning and exam coaching which events await you in the current semester. It's even easier if you subscribe to us on Facebook, because that's where we keep you up to date on our newsfeed about our and many other offers.

Multiple Choice Trainer: With this app you can create and practice tasks until you master them in your sleep; free for IOS. 

Flashcards Deluxe: With this app you can access four million flashcards from different topics or simply create your own; Chargeable for Android and IOS.

Bettermarks: No math genius? With this app you can refresh your math skills; Free for Android and IOS.

Duolingo: The app has a test center where you can take exams similar to toefl; Free for Android and IOS.

SimpleMind: This app helps to create mind maps to better prepare an essay; Free for Android and IOS.

JumpCut: Perfect, for the brainstorm: With this app you can save up to 25 phrases for your essay in the clipboard; Free for Android and IOS

Lass mal kreuzen: A quiz and learning app to prepare for the Physikum with over 3,000 questions from the IMPP; Free for Android and IOS.

Paper Toss:You need a break? With this short game you can switch off after countless practice questions. Virtually aim at bucket with paper balls. Free for Android and IOS.

Following the self-study approach and working with a good guide, you will find a lot of literature on learning, learning preparation and learning strategies in the library and in the Student Service Center in Parkstraße 6. Below are some selected examples of literature listed.

Lydia Fehm / Thomas Fydrich - Ratgeber Prüfungsangst

Ron Fry - LAST MINUTE PROGRAMM für Prüfungen und Seminararbeiten

Silke Heimes - Schreiben im Studium - das PiiP-Prinzip

Eberhardt Hoffmann / Monika Löhle - Erfolgreich Lernen

Werner Metzig / Martin Schuster - Prüfungsangst und Lampenfieber

Wolfgang Schmitz - Schneller Lesen, besser verstehen

Christine Stickel / Joachim Wolf - Wissenschaftliches Arbeiten nd Lerntechniken