How to Prepare for an Academic Science Competition

Preparing for a science competition is a bit different than preparing for a math or history competition. While the basics may be slightly similar, the method of preparing for the subject itself is quite different. Below is some advice on how to prepare for an academic science competition.

Science is a varied field, you need to be strong in every field

Science requires not only being good in computation, it also requires you to have excellent memory and more importantly have excellent analytical skills. Science is putting theory into practice. If you know the laws of gravity, you need to be able to demonstrate how these laws work on a certain set of problems. If you know the mass of a certain object, you need to know how to use this data to compute for the velocity this object will achieve when thrown into space. Simply possessing data in science is not enough. You must be able to know how to use this data to arrive at the correct answer. Science is a combination of rote memorization and present analysis. You recall embedded data, and use this data to interpret the problem posed in front of you.

Long-term memory is stronger than short-term memory

Memory recall is like planting a tree. The longer it has been planted, the deeper its roots go and the harder it is to supplant it. New memories are easy to lose because they are not planted deep enough in your brain. While recalling it may be easy, retaining it is harder. That is why if you're depending on short-term memory, you can only count on memory stored for one day. Any longer than that and it gets harder to recall it. Long-term memory on the other hand requires constant repetition and use in order for it to be ingrained in the brain. As you constantly recall it, access to these memories become easier until remembering becomes as easy as breathing. That's why you hardly have difficulty saying your prayers, or singing a song, or recalling how to ride a bike. These memories are embedded deep in your brain, planted deep through repetition.

Once you have been fully prepared, let go of your worries and rest easy

It's easy to overexert yourself and push harder than ever. But pushing yourself beyond your limits can only have disastrous results. Your brain has a certain limit, once it cannot perform past this limit, it won't do any good how much you push it. It is therefore much more sensible to maintain your brain in its optimum performing capacity rather than run it rough shod and bring it to the competition in a sorry state. You want your brain to be a well-oiled machine functioning perfectly. Prepare as well as you can, but rest a few days before the competition begins.

Back to basics

This does not need to be said, but sometimes, the smartest people can be the most obtuse ones. A night before the competition, sleep early so you can wake up fresh and ready to go. Eat a healthy breakfast so your brain has fuel it can use to function. Bring small bits of sweets and water to replenish your sugar stores. Thinking burns a lot of sugar and you need to replenish this if you want your brain to keep on functioning. Know the competition rules well ahead of time. You don't want to fail because of technicalities. If the competition has certain requirements and materials you need to bring, make sure to bring them. Make a checklist so that you will not forget anything.