It is during this accelerated phase that a question needs to be reconsidered: does learning more truly equate to greater effectiveness? And what is the appropriate schedule for this short but crucial period?
Don't learn more, learn smarter.
In reality, an effective schedule doesn't begin with filling up all the available time, but must be built by "listening" to oneself. Having achieved outstanding results in the entrance exam, Tran Quang Huy, a student in class 10/7 at Phan Chau Trinh High School, considers this a key factor.
In the 2025-2026 10th grade entrance exam, Huy surpassed thousands of candidates to be admitted to one of the top schools, and also passed the school's specialized math class. "That result isn't just about the numbers on the report card, but the fruit of a sound study strategy," Huy shared.
In the final stages of preparation, Huy chose not to prolong his study time. He stopped studying after 11 PM. Instead, the period between 5 and 7 AM became the golden hour for systematizing formulas and learning vocabulary. According to Huy, this is when his mind is most alert, and memorization occurs more naturally and deeply. During the day, Huy also intensified his practice with exam questions according to the actual exam schedule to hone his reflexes and maintain a stable mindset.
Huy also reorganized his study methods. Instead of studying for extended periods, he divided his time into 60-90 minute sessions, interspersed with 10-15 minute breaks. During breaks, he avoided using his phone, only engaging in light exercise or listening to music. This adjustment helped maintain focus without becoming overwhelmed. After each break, his brain was "refreshed," ready to receive information more effectively.
With time running out, realizing that cramming in new knowledge wasn't effective, Huy went back to reviewing his mistakes and areas where he'd lost points, filling in the gaps. This way, his revision stayed focused, concluding the final push with solid foundations instead of spreading himself too thin.
Focus on the psychological aspect.
In the final weeks, the pressure comes not only from the sheer volume of material to learn, but also from the feeling that time is running out. As the intensity of revision accelerates, mental state becomes a direct factor influencing learning effectiveness.
Nguyen Dang Luan, the second-highest scorer in the entrance exam for the 10th grade specialized English class at Le Quy Don High School for the Gifted, chose to build a goal-oriented study plan as a way to relieve stress. "Every day, I set 2-3 main goals, maybe completing a math test or finishing a specific English topic," Luan shared.
According to Luan, this schedule provides the necessary flexibility during periods of high pressure. Instead of "tying" himself to a fixed schedule, Luan adjusts his study pace according to his own actual state. This ensures progress is maintained without creating overwhelming pressure.
Conversely, creating a detailed schedule down to the minute, with the expectation of maximizing control over the remaining time, can sometimes backfire, easily leading to stress when students fail to meet their planned targets.
"The most important thing is to maintain both physical and mental stability. You need to eat and sleep on time because health is very important. At the same time, you must divide your time between specialized subjects (if any) and regular subjects reasonably to avoid discrepancies in grades," Luan emphasized.
Based on her own experience, Ho Khue Minh, a 10th-grade student specializing in Literature at Phan Chau Trinh High School, particularly emphasized the importance of balancing psychological factors during exam preparation. “I always arrange my study and leisure time to run parallel. When I feel overwhelmed, I return to my personal hobbies to relieve stress,” Minh said.
For Literature, Minh proactively organized evidence by topic to make it easier to remember. In the final weeks, Minh continued to follow current events to supplement material for her social commentary essay. At the same time, she maintained the habit of reading literary works to keep the flow of emotions and enrich her vocabulary.
Through his focused learning approach, Minh not only excelled in the 2025-2026 10th grade entrance exam, ranking in the top 40 at Phan Chau Trinh High School, but also went on to win a Silver medal in Literature at the traditional April 30th Olympic Exam in 2026. This result is proof of a sustainable learning method: proactive, strategic, and, more importantly, maintaining mental balance – a crucial factor during periods of high pressure.
Source: https://baodanang.vn/thoi-khoa-bieu-cho-giai-doan-nuoc-rut-3335970.html
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