Do you notice that during study sessions you end up answering messages, staring out of the window or cleaning your room? With these tips you can stay focused on your studies.

• Put your phone away or give it to a roommate.
• Put your phone in 'do not disturb' mode, so you don't get distracted by messages.
• Go to the library or another study area.
• Put a notebook next to you, so you can write down any 'to-do's or other thoughts that pop into your head.

Sometimes it can be hard to get started or even to know where to start. These tips can help you to get studying. 

• Study with other students so you can motivate each other.
• Agree with someone that you'll explain the material to them. This is a good way to create a deadline for yourself.
• Divide the material into smaller section to make it more manageable.
• Reward yourself when you finish or start something.
• Plan enough breaks so you don't get overwhelmed.
• Ask other students how they motivate themselves. They might have the golden tip!

Do you find it hard to make a good plan? Or do you plan way too much or too little for one day? With these tips you can make a realistic plan for your exam revision. 

• Make sure you don't plan too much for one day by breaking the material into smaller sections.
• Work backwards from the exam date when making your plan, so you know exactly when you need to start.
• Include buffers in your plan, for example an extra day only for revision.
• Take your leisure activities, like sports or hobbies, into account when making your plan.
• Also include time for relaxation and other activities, for example meeting friends or going for a walk outside.
• Make a plan that's right for you. For example, if you're not a morning person, don't plan to start studying early.
• Make sure you don't focus on just one subject. Create some variety.
• Write down specifically what you want to achieve or finish during each (part of the) day

Good exam preparation is also knowing what to expect on the exam.

• Take a good look at the course objectives, which can be found on Brightspace or in the prospectus course description. Your lecturer must test whether you have met these objectives.
• Go back to the preparatory assignments or questions you used during your group seminars. 
• Pay attention to the subjects that the lecturer dedicated a lot of time to during lectures.
• Do the practice exam so you know whether to expect multiple-choice or open questions, and on which subjects you need to spend some more time.