I'm taking on the challenge of the university-wide unified entrance exam.
Overcoming weaknesses and persevering through exam preparation until the very end.
Overcoming weaknesses and persevering through exam preparation until the very end.
# Entrance exam preparation experiences
Chiyu Nakamura
Faculty of Faculty of Business Administration Department of Economics
Entrance examination method: University-wide unified entrance examination: First term
Entrance examination method: University-wide unified entrance examination: First term
2025.11.18
This time, we interviewed Chiyu Nakamura, a first-year student in the Department Faculty of Economics Department of Economics. For her entrance exams, she took the university-wide unified entrance exam: first term. During her exam period, she faced her weak subjects head-on without avoiding them, and improved her abilities while developing her strengths. Through reflecting on her performance in mock exams and refining her study methods, she gradually gained confidence that "if I try, I can do it."
Please enter your text.
I'd like to hear about your experience taking the general entrance exam.
Q1. Please tell us the type and content of the entrance examination you took.
I took the university-wide entrance examination: both the first-term and general entrance examinations. The subjects were English, Japanese language, and Japanese history.
Q2. Why did you choose that entrance examination method?
Based on my mock exam results and my strengths and weaknesses, I decided that I could focus on English and Japanese history. I was particularly confident in my ability to memorize Japanese history, and thought it would be a strong point for me.
Q3. What were your reasons for choosing your current faculty?
I chose to major in Faculty of Economics because I believed I could acquire knowledge that would be useful in a wide range of fields in the future. I thought that learning about economics and money, which are the foundation of society, would broaden my future options.
I took the university-wide entrance examination: both the first-term and general entrance examinations. The subjects were English, Japanese language, and Japanese history.
Q2. Why did you choose that entrance examination method?
Based on my mock exam results and my strengths and weaknesses, I decided that I could focus on English and Japanese history. I was particularly confident in my ability to memorize Japanese history, and thought it would be a strong point for me.
Q3. What were your reasons for choosing your current faculty?
I chose to major in Faculty of Economics because I believed I could acquire knowledge that would be useful in a wide range of fields in the future. I thought that learning about economics and money, which are the foundation of society, would broaden my future options.
Please enter your text.
Please tell me about strategies and preparations for the entrance exam.
Q4. What kind of preparations did you make for the exam?
I made sure to take good care of my health, using masks and hand warmers to keep myself warm. I also made an effort to go to bed early and wake up early, and I think I was able to establish a routine of studying at school and then going to cram school.
Q5. Do you have any recommended study methods?
I studied using the English vocabulary book "System English Vocabulary" during my free time. I repeatedly reviewed the pocket-sized vocabulary book, making use of my commute time and other spare moments. At the cram school, the policy was "master one textbook completely," so I made sure to complete one book without spreading myself too thin.
* "System English Vocabulary" www.sundaibunko.jp/systan/
Q6. What were some of the difficulties you faced while studying for the entrance exam?
First of all, I think I started studying for the entrance exams too late. I attended cram school from the first grade, but I didn't start studying seriously until the summer vacation of my third year. I think I should have started earlier.
There was also a period when, despite studying every day without fail, my English scores kept dropping with each practice test I took. During that time, I overcame it by slowly and carefully redoing past exam questions and repeatedly reviewing English vocabulary.
Q7. Do you have any methods for overcoming a slump? What triggers it?
When I started studying for the entrance exams in late August, I realized the huge difference between my own academic ability and the universities' required scores, which made me quite anxious. I checked the passing scores in past exam papers and compared them to my own scores, feeling the gap. Seeing my friends diligently studying on their own motivated me to work hard as well.
During that time, I consulted with my tutor at the private tutoring center a lot. Because it was one-on-one instruction, I could ask questions easily, and the mental support I received was a great source of strength for me.
Q8. What was your method for cramming right before the entrance exam?
In the final period leading up to the exam, I avoided tackling new problems and instead repeatedly reviewed past exam questions and practice tests. By eliminating my weaknesses one by one, I was able to approach the exam with a sense of confidence that "I'll be alright."
Whenever I just couldn't find the motivation, I would watch videos by the YouTube study vlog "SOY" to boost my spirits.
*YouTube channel "SOY" https://www.youtube.com/@user-soy
In addition, I made an effort to maintain a lifestyle of going to bed early and waking up early in order to push myself harder. I also tried to be the first one to arrive at cram school, and I think I did things in my own way to boost my motivation.
I made sure to take good care of my health, using masks and hand warmers to keep myself warm. I also made an effort to go to bed early and wake up early, and I think I was able to establish a routine of studying at school and then going to cram school.
Q5. Do you have any recommended study methods?
I studied using the English vocabulary book "System English Vocabulary" during my free time. I repeatedly reviewed the pocket-sized vocabulary book, making use of my commute time and other spare moments. At the cram school, the policy was "master one textbook completely," so I made sure to complete one book without spreading myself too thin.
* "System English Vocabulary" www.sundaibunko.jp/systan/
Q6. What were some of the difficulties you faced while studying for the entrance exam?
First of all, I think I started studying for the entrance exams too late. I attended cram school from the first grade, but I didn't start studying seriously until the summer vacation of my third year. I think I should have started earlier.
There was also a period when, despite studying every day without fail, my English scores kept dropping with each practice test I took. During that time, I overcame it by slowly and carefully redoing past exam questions and repeatedly reviewing English vocabulary.
Q7. Do you have any methods for overcoming a slump? What triggers it?
When I started studying for the entrance exams in late August, I realized the huge difference between my own academic ability and the universities' required scores, which made me quite anxious. I checked the passing scores in past exam papers and compared them to my own scores, feeling the gap. Seeing my friends diligently studying on their own motivated me to work hard as well.
During that time, I consulted with my tutor at the private tutoring center a lot. Because it was one-on-one instruction, I could ask questions easily, and the mental support I received was a great source of strength for me.
Q8. What was your method for cramming right before the entrance exam?
In the final period leading up to the exam, I avoided tackling new problems and instead repeatedly reviewed past exam questions and practice tests. By eliminating my weaknesses one by one, I was able to approach the exam with a sense of confidence that "I'll be alright."
Whenever I just couldn't find the motivation, I would watch videos by the YouTube study vlog "SOY" to boost my spirits.
*YouTube channel "SOY" https://www.youtube.com/@user-soy
In addition, I made an effort to maintain a lifestyle of going to bed early and waking up early in order to push myself harder. I also tried to be the first one to arrive at cram school, and I think I did things in my own way to boost my motivation.
Please enter your text.
Please give some advice to students taking entrance exams.
Q9. On the day of the exam, please tell us if there was anything you were glad you had done at the exam venue, or conversely, anything you regretted not doing.
I went to the venue early and ate a rice ball. I tried not to look at the other test-takers around me. I think it's very important to avoid looking at others, especially people who have past exam papers for universities with higher academic rankings than mine, because it puts pressure on me.
Q10. Please give a message to high school students who will be taking the same entrance exam.
Taking entrance exams for other universities before the actual exam can help alleviate anxiety. It's also important to consider multiple exam formats. Above all, I believe that believing in and consistently using a study method that suits you is the shortest path to success.
I went to the venue early and ate a rice ball. I tried not to look at the other test-takers around me. I think it's very important to avoid looking at others, especially people who have past exam papers for universities with higher academic rankings than mine, because it puts pressure on me.
Q10. Please give a message to high school students who will be taking the same entrance exam.
Taking entrance exams for other universities before the actual exam can help alleviate anxiety. It's also important to consider multiple exam formats. Above all, I believe that believing in and consistently using a study method that suits you is the shortest path to success.