Sure, the best way to prepare for a test is to faithfully attend class, take copious notes, and join a study group. But if it’s a little late for that, cramming is the way to keep that F at bay.
准备考试的最好方法时去听课，记大量的笔记，并参加学习小组。但如果那么做已经为时已晚，突击准备考试就是确保及格的好办法。

Step 1: Read over notes
Begin by reading over your lecture notes. If you don’t have any, beg and plead with a classmate to photocopy theirs.
第一步：读笔记
开始时可以先读课堂笔记。如果你没有笔记，可以向同学求助来复印他们的笔记。

Tip：Some campuses have note-taking services where you can purchase class notes.
小贴士:有些学校会卖笔记，这样你去购买就行了。

Step 2: Highlight key points
Highlight the key points in your notes.
第二步：牢记要点
牢记笔记中的要点。

Step 3: Skim textbook
Skim the textbook for anything in bold, or key definitions, sections, and charts, and highlight those portions.
第三步：浏览课本
浏览课本中用粗体标黑的内容或是重要的定义或章节，并牢记内容。

Tip：Read the first and last few pages of each chapter thoroughly, because they often summarize the information.
小贴士:要通读每章的前几页和最后几页，因为那些页数通常有要点的总结。

Step 4: Create flashcards
Create flashcards by reviewing all the highlighted portions of your notes and textbook and writing one key piece of information on each index card.
第四步：做些抽认卡
在回顾笔记和课本中的要点部分后做些抽认卡，在每张索引卡上写一条重要的信息。

Tip：Keep your energy high by drinking water to stay hydrated and eating snacks that raise your blood sugar without it crashing afterwards, like bananas.
小贴士:保持精力旺盛:通过喝水来保持生理机能，吃那些暂时能提高血糖的小吃，比如香蕉。

Step 5: Memorize
Memorize the material on your flashcards. Recite it out loud until you’re sure you’ve got it.
第五步：记忆
记忆抽认卡上的内容。大声背诵直到确定自己已经掌握。

Tip：If you’re having trouble remembering something, write it down six or seven times in a row.
小贴士:如果你不擅长背东西，可以连着写6遍或7遍。

Step 6: Sleep
Get some shut-eye. A Harvard study proved that eight hours of sleep before a test improves performance by 25 percent.
第六步：睡觉
要休息些。哈佛大学的研究表明考试前8小时的睡眠能使你在考场上的表现提高百分之二十五。

Step 7: Eat breakfast
Eat a hearty breakfast the day of the exam. Numerous studies prove that people perform mental tasks better on a full stomach.
第七步：吃早餐
在考试当天吃顿丰盛的早餐。很多研究表明吃饱后人们的思考力会更好。

Tip：Eat foods rich in complex carbohydrates and protein, like eggs and whole-wheat cereal or toast, so your energy lasts. Sugary foods will give you a quick rush and then leave you yawning in the test.
小贴士:吃那些富含碳水化合物和碳水化合物的食物，比如鸡蛋和全麦谷类食物或烤面包，以便保持精力。甜食会使你血糖快速升高，令你在考试中打哈气。

Step 8: Take your flashcards
Take your flashcards with you to your testing site and keep going over them until the exam begins.
第八步：随身携带抽认卡
将抽认卡带到考场，在考试开始前要一直回顾上面的内容。

Step 9: Relax
Right before the test starts, take several deep, slow breaths to help you relax.
第九步：放松
在考试马上要开始时，进行几次缓慢的深呼吸来让自己放松。

Step 10: Take a nap
Take a nap after the test. Studies show it will help you retain what your learned—for the semester final.
第十步：打个盹
考试后打个盹。研究表明这样会帮助记忆你所学过的内容，从而来对付期末考试。