Preparing for Exams
I have to take an exam. Now what?
I HAVE A WHAT?!
You just found out you have a big exam at the end of the week. Panic immediately sets in. You can feel the stress building and you can see the sleepless nights that are in your near future. You begin to ask yourself did I take detailed notes? Did I pay good enough attention during the lecture? You start to freak out. You don't know how you are even going to begin to prepare for the exam.
Keep calm and follow these tips, they will help!
Get Organized!
When beginning the studying process it is important to know if you have the proper materials at hand.
- Make sure you have all lecture notes, textbooks, and other handouts within reach while studying.
- Prioritize what items should be studied first.
- Layout a plan of how long you want to spend on each topic.
Pick an Environment!
There are many different places to study. Try some of these different places to see what works best for you:
- Library
- Coffee Shop
- Your Room
- It is important to find out if you study best in a quiet environment or with a little background noise. It can make all the difference!
Set a Goal!
When preparing for an exam everyones goal is to ace it. Here are some study goals to set to get there:
- Have a clear idea of what you want to accomplish going in.
- Take your major goal and divide them into smaller goals.
- Write goals in a positive format. It's not about what should avoid doing. It's about what you can do and will do.
- Write down your goals and reward yourself once you achieve them!
Find a Study Style that Works for You!
There are many different ways to study and not everyone studies the same way. Here are some different ways to try studying before your next exam:
- Do some practice problems.
- Make notecards.
- Make a sheet that summarizes the chapters that will be on the test.
- Make a practice test and see what you know.
- Look over past exams so you have an idea of what to expect.
- Try studying with a group!
Time Management!
When studying for exams it is important to keep time in check.
- Spread out your studying throughout the week.
- Set aside time to study in shorter increments during the day. That way you do not spend 4 hours staring at the same subject without retaining the information.
- Try studying for an hour then give yourself a reward. The reward can be anything from a snack to giving yourself an hour of "free time."
- DO NOT CRAM! Give yourself plenty of time to get the job done.
Keep Calm You Can Do It!
Before the exam it is important to stick to your routine. Do not forget to:
- Get plenty of sleep the night before.
- Eat a substantial breakfast the morning of the exam.
- Don't panic at the last minute! Be confident in what you know!
To find more tips on preparing for exams try the following websites:
Dartmouth's Study Skills Center
http://www.dartmouth.edu/~acskills/docs/exam_prep_strategies.pdf
How To Study.org
MIT's Study Skills Website