17 useful things you can learn in 60 seconds

1. Chew the same flavour gum

Surprisingly, chewing the same flavour gum during an exam as you did when study will improve memory recall. Bonus points for chewing different flavours for different subjects.

2. Clean out your computer keyboard with a sticky note

Slide a sticky note between your keys and the dust and dirt will stick to the sticky edge. Amazing!

3. Long assignment to write? Overwhelmed by your word count?

Use a website like 750words.com to commit to writing it in small chunks every day.

4. Speed up recorded lectures and seminars

Use free software such as Audacity to record your lectures and listen back at twice the speed. You’ll still understand and absorb the info, but in half the time!

5. Staying up late to study? Drink more water throughout the day

Being hydrated gives your body less to do whilst you sleep so you can cut an hour or two off with minimal impact.

6. Eat the frog

Not literally of course – just do the worst thing on your to do list first, and the rest of your day/study period/test will be a lot easier.

7. Wave bye bye to Facebook procrastination

Get the Google Chrome extension ‘News Feed Eradicator’ to stop the endless scrolling.

8. Make the lock screen on your phone your lecture schedule or map

9. Struggle to finish your tests on time?

Work out which questions or sections net you the most marks quickest, and answer those first.

10. Use a kanban board to track your assignments

11. Sore throat and can’t afford to miss your class or exam? Chew marshmallows

The gelatine soothes the throat and is much tastier than a lozenge. The sugar will give you a little boost of energy too. Vegetarians and religiously observant eaters could consider a spoonful of honey or agave nectar.

12. Laptop overheating

Shove a large empty egg cartons underneath – they  make great laptop ventilators.

13. Always snoozing your alarm and missing class

Put your phone in an empty glass on the other side of your room. The glass will amplify the alarm, and you’ll have to get out of bed to turn it off – making you more likely to stay awake.

14. Get example exam questions to practice

Google “site:edu [subject] exam” to find what you need.

15. Need to speed read

Change your documents to Times New Roman – it’s the fastest font to read. If you’re dyslexic, download ‘Dyslexie’ font created by fellow Dyslexic Christian Boer to aid his reading.

16. Learn the Cornell Notes System

Developed at the prestigious Cornell University, this method of making better notes that will actually help you revise.

17. Write down all important dates, formulas and names at the beginning of an exam

Make sure you write down important information whilst it’s fresh in your mind, and use the notes as a key throughout. Trust us, it’ll take the pressure off.

Jen Smith coaches entrepreneurs in social media.