How to catch exam hints your teacher gives away

Have you ever found yourself scribbling so fast during class that you’re not even sure what you’re writing anymore? You’re madly taking notes, trying to keep up, but then you realise you’ve missed something important. Maybe the teacher just gave away a clue about what might be on the exam… and it went straight over your head.

We’ve all been there. It’s what I call survival mode note-taking. And when you’re in it, you’re not really listening, let alone comprehending. You’re just reacting.

But what if there was a better way?

How not to frantically scribble, but actually learn in class

There’s this idea called the 80/20 classroom rule. Spend 80% of your time listening and 20% writing. I know, it sounds completely unrealistic at first. You’re probably thinking, sure, like that works in real life. 

But here’s the secret. If you do a little prep before class, it actually becomes possible. 

Here’s how to make it work and listen to exam hints 👌

If you read the topic in advance and prepare a few key headings or notes before the lesson starts, you’re no longer starting from zero. You actually have some knowledge! Your brain has a framework to plug new information into. You’ll feel more confident, less panicked, and you’ll have more space to listen for the important stuff, like the exam hints!

Because here’s the secret: many teachers give away exam clues without even realising.

They repeat something twice. They pause for longer. They say, “You’ll want to remember this.” That’s your moment to tune in. But if you’re so focused on copying every word, scribbling like crazy or worrying about messy notes, you’ll totally miss it.

Try this in your next class

1. Skim the topic the night before. Just 10 minutes of previewing can help (hint: find out what the topic is in advance from your teacher. I know, nerdy, but it works)
2. Set up headings or key questions in your notebook ahead of time.
3. Aim to listen more than you write. You won’t get it perfect, but you get better over time. 
4. Watch for voice changes, repetition or strong emphasis. That’s usually a big juicy hint.
5. Circle, star or highlight in the moment, rather than writing down every detail.

You can always fill in the gaps later from the textbook, ask your teacher for clarification, or chat with a friend. But you can’t go back and catch a teacher’s casual exam clue once it’s gone.