As much as we tend to avoid them, your professors in college are there after years of experience in teaching students, and rest assured, when they tell you they've seen every kind of student, they are usually serious about that.  

We all love the memes about exams, but a large majority of us still take it for granted, often opting to preparing the night before the exam and hoping for the best, because that one friend of yours who never studies but still gets good marks by studying the night before the exam. The fundamental flaw with that method of studying is thoroughly debunked by the professors stuMagz spoke to. Here's what they had to say.  

1. Prepare a schedule ahead of time

Since most of the professors we spoke to were from engineering colleges, this advice was universal. When you're studying a course which requires student's practical application instead of just theoretical, it becomes prudent to prepare a schedule way ahead of time and stick to it without fail. 

2. Make it a point to study regularly  

I'm sure we've all heard this advice from our parents, almost every day in some people's cases, and often by professors as well. Guess it, it really works. Studying regularly ensures you don't panic study at the end of the semester and right before the exams. A professor likened it to body building, or learning a new skill. No amount of hard work on the night before will get your body into shape, it is literally impossible. Similarly, you cannot learn to play a guitar in one night, so, he questions, why would students think they'll get adept at the subject in one night. 

It doesn't even have to be every night, the many professors echoed the same advice, even thrice a week, or twice a week would do, as long as you study properly. Of course, if you're a daily studying types person, then it's the best thing you could do for yourself as a student. 

3. Don't be afraid to ask your professors for help 

Your professors are more than willing to help you out in studying before the exam, only if you let them help you. It goes without saying that someone who doesn't want to be helped, will not be helped, and neither will help come seeking you when you need it. Call up your professors, or speak to them in the college, sit with them, discuss the subject, crunch numbers with them. They are there to help, and help they will. 

4. Listen to the class  

A professor from my alma mater lamented the fact that students tend to not listen to lectures and end up being completely clueless as the end of the semester approaches. Great professors tend to teach the class in a way you remember, which helps you immensely in understanding concepts much faster when you're studying. As a personal note, I'd like to add that this method works for me as well, I liked a class back in my college days so much I listened to every class carefully, which led me to prepare for the exam with ease. To date it remains one of the best exams I've written. 

5. Stay till the bitter end 

Another point all the professors unanimously agreed to, stay till the end of the exam, no matter what. Fight till the last minute, write as much as you can. If you leave early, you're denying yourself the chance of writing more that could make all the difference in your marks. By making your stand and writing till the end, you give yourself more room for inspiration to strike and continue writing.