Exams are coming, stress is rising and your pile of course notes has never looked so high? That is normal at this time of year. A successful study period is mostly about organisation: a good start, a sustainable pace, active studying and a few reflexes on exam day.
What is the blocus, and when is it?
In Belgium, the blocus (called « blok » in Flanders) is the period of intensive study before an exam session. In higher education, it comes round at least twice a year:
- during the winter holidays, before the January session;
- in May and June, before the June session;
- in summer, for those sitting resits, held from mid-August to early September depending on the institution.
At the end of secondary school, many pupils go through a first « mini blocus » before the December or June exams. The advice below applies to both, with an adjusted length.
How do you get into study mode in 48 hours?
The first challenge of the blocus is often not the material but the transition. Going from series and nights out to full days of study does not happen by itself. We put it off, allow ourselves « one last episode », and two days are gone. Here is how to make the switch in one weekend.
Day 1: set your rhythm
- A fixed time to get up and go to bed, the same every day, with 7 to 9 hours of sleep. Sleep is when the brain consolidates what you studied during the day.
- A morning routine of half an hour: get up, shower, get dressed, eat a proper breakfast. This starting signal helps you get into the working day far better than studying in pyjamas in bed.
- A first review of your courses: are your notes complete, which chapters are missing, which exercises need redoing. Fill the gaps from reliable sources (course handouts, the lecturer's materials, trustworthy classmates).
Day 2: protect your concentration
- Phone out of reach: in another room or in airplane mode during study sessions. Every notification breaks your focus, and getting it back takes time.
- Short, clear sessions, for example with the Pomodoro technique: 25 minutes on a single task, a 5 minute break, and a longer break after four rounds.
- A stable place to work, tidy and kept for studying as much as possible.
Social media is often the first obstacle to getting started. We have written an article about it: the impact of social media on students' lives.
Take stock and plan your study period
Having an overview of what lies ahead lets you measure the work to be done. To estimate the time each exam needs, start from concrete criteria:
- the amount of material;
- the share of theory and exercises;
- the quality of your notes;
- your progress, interest and ease in each course.
If you do not know your pace yet, try a test day working a little on each subject. Then write your plan, with goals for each day and each week, and keep some slack for the unexpected.
Switching subjects within the same day often helps you stay focused. Also plan time to review courses you have already covered: what is not reviewed is quickly forgotten.
Study actively: understand rather than reread
Studying is one thing, remembering is another. Rereading your notes gives the feeling that you know them, without checking. To test your knowledge:
- redo the exercises and, where available, past exam papers;
- explain the material out loud, to a friend or to yourself;
- quiz yourself with flashcards: a question on the front, the answer on the back.
Do not let the amount of material swallow you up. Build an overview of the course (an annotated, colour coded table of contents helps a lot) and look for links between chapters. The order of the chapters often has a reason.
Put yourself in the lecturer's shoes: what goals were announced at the start of the course? What questions might they ask? Find out the type of exam, because you do not prepare for an oral the same way as for a written exam or a multiple choice test.
For more on study methods, also read our 5 tips to study and pass your exams.
Staying the course: sleep, food, free time
A study period lasts several weeks. Looking after your body is part of the work, because tiredness reduces concentration and memory.
- Sleep: sleeping less to study more does not hold up. A short night is paid for the next day.
- Food: simple, varied meals, foods that release energy slowly (vegetables, whole grains) and plenty of water. Fast food and energy drinks often bring a slump a few hours later.
- Free time: move, get some fresh air, see friends. Plan these moments and set yourself a time to be home in the evening, to protect your sleep.
If you study in a group, keep breaks that are real breaks (a few stretches, fresh air) rather than long chats that pull you out of your work.
Exam day
A little stress is normal, and it even helps you stay alert. A few reflexes depending on the type of exam:
Written exams
- Read each question to the end: the last part often specifies what is expected.
- Answer the question asked, without copying out the whole course.
- Structure your answer into parts. In science subjects, justify each step and highlight the final result.
- Stuck on a question? Move on to the next one and come back to it later.
Oral exams
- Manage the time allowed and take your lecturer's habits into account.
- Speak calmly, articulate and look at your examiner.
- Show that you have understood the core of the course: reciting word for word rarely convinces.
- If orals stress you, practise answering a friend's questions out loud.
Multiple choice
- Read the instructions: « all correct answers » and « the best answer » are not the same thing.
- Go through once answering the obvious questions, then come back to those that need more thought.
- If wrong answers cost points, only answer when your reasoning leads to a clear answer. With no penalty, answer everything, working by elimination.
What if your study period will not get going?
Some students cannot make this switch on their own, or feel lost in a particular course. Outside support can help you stick to a plan, catch up on a subject or work on your study method.
At My Sherpa, an educational advisor chooses the right coach for your needs, for private tutoring in higher education or study skills coaching. Lessons take place at home anywhere in Belgium, or online.
