Why Cramming One Night Before Your Exam Works, and Why You Should Do It

Every time exam season rolls around, I can feel the anxiety creeping in. It’s usually because I haven't reviewed my notes in time, or worse, because I’m scrambling to make notes while everyone else is already revising. But when you’re juggling a lot, cramming isn’t just a choice — it’s survival. For me, it started unintentionally, then became a habit (one I keep saying I’ll change, though we all know how that goes). If you find yourself in the same boat, cramming can still work, but it has to be efficient. Here’s what helps me make it through without tanking my grades.

Prioritize.
If you’ve reached the point where time is almost up, accept it and focus on what really matters. There’s always a part of the syllabus that’s more important or easier to understand than the rest. Aim to master the simpler concepts rather than wasting time trying to barely grasp the harder ones. You’re better off being confident about the easy marks.

Learn passively.
Sometimes the hardest part is just getting started. If you can’t bring yourself to open the books, ease in by absorbing information passively. Watch a YouTube video, chat with a friend about the topics — anything to get your mind in gear. It might not be enough to ace the exam, but it sets the stage for when you need to really dig in.

Review Strategically.
Scoring well isn’t just about knowing the material, but understanding how the exam works. In a time crunch, this becomes even more important. Look at past papers and sample questions to familiarize yourself with the format. This helps avoid the panic of “this looks nothing like what I studied” when the actual exam lands on your desk.

Be Realistic.
Cramming isn’t the best approach if you actually want to dive deep into the material. But let’s be honest — sometimes it’s all you’ve got. Focus on your genuine interests, and power through the rest. At the end of the day, it’s about getting through the exam, not becoming an expert overnight.

It’s Okay.
The night before an exam, cramming always comes with that classic promise: "I’ll never let this happen again." But sometimes it will, and that’s okay. Cramming is what gets you through when life gets in the way, and sometimes it’s exactly what you need to do.

Just don’t make a habit of it (even though we all know how that goes).