Cramming is inevitable, especially for college students. A test just creeps up on us and before we know it we have six hours left to study. We know we shouldn't cram, but sometimes... well sometimes we just do. Here's how to cram to make sure that you get the most out of your time and put the least strain on your body.

Cram Smart, Not Hard
The most important thing when you're cramming is to only focus on what you need to know. There are ways of finding out what will be on the test, or at least getting a pretty good idea.
You can also do things like making and taking a practice test and focusing on your weaknesses. You can make a practice test by looking over study guides from the teacher and the table of contents or syllabus for the course. There are all sorts of things you can do to optimize your studying - try a few different things and see what works for you.

Watch Your Time
This is a close second for "most important thing to do when cramming." Make sure to keep a very close eye on your time - you only have so much 'cause you're cramming. Write up exactly how much you have to do and split up and budget your time to make sure you get it all in.

You may also want to use a study system, such as the Pomodoro Technique, to keep track of your time. I personally use the Pomodoro Technique, even when I'm not cramming, and it is a great way to make sure you optimize your study time and stay focused.

Teach Someone Else
This is a classic way of making something stick in your head. When you teach someone else something, you realize pretty quickly the parts that you're a bit weak on. There are a few ways you can teach someone else - you can have a parent sit and listen, or an indulging friend. Something else you might try is going on an answer site, like Yahoo! Answers, and answering questions about your topic. If you find one you can't answer, then you know that's something you need to work on. Don't put up questions directly from your test though! That's called cheating... teachers tend to frown on that for some reason.

Get Some Sleep!
You need to take care of your body! Even if you're cramming, you still need to get some sleep. Pulling an all-nighter is never a good idea. It's better to go to sleep and get up a little earlier if you have something due than to stay up really late and get it done. Your body functions better on rest, and your brain is part of your body!

You never really should cram, we all know that, but if push comes to shove and you absolutely have to, at least you know how to do it and make it work... and also not kill yourself with it!

For more information on cramming, how to do it and why you shouldn't, check out Test-Taking-Tips.net. The site is packed with other study tips, too. Check it out!

By Maximilian A Hart