Can't live with them, can't graduate without them. We're talking tests here. Like it or not (and most would say not!), tests are an important academic assessment tool. Your performance on tests demonstrates how well you understand material, your ability to accomplish tasks, and how you absorb and interpret information. Knowing the material is key, but often that's not enough to ace an exam. Also essential is good preparation, which gets your brain ready and clears the way for calm and confidence. Here, are some tips to prep you for any test.
Studying for a test can be nerve-wracking for many students. Often they feel as if they are reading the material for the first time and begin to panic. An easy way to avoid this is note taking. It may seem like a simple solution, but it has powerful results. During class or directly after you should take notes of what you have just learned. This could be something as straightforward as page numbers to reread later or more complex ideas on the material. It is important to review these notes at the end of the day. When it comes time to study for the test, recalling these items will be easier and faster than trying to learn something that seems new. Studying these notes throughout the course and calling upon them during testing time will make the whole experience less time consuming and less nerve-wracking.
Where you study is important. Find a place that's readily available with minimal distractions. A popular place for most students to study is at home. However, for some, home can be too distracting as it's easy to get side tracked. What may help is if you study in a place that's similar to the place where you're going to take the test. When you study, you might associate certain topics with the environment. So if you take the test in a similar environment, you can more easily retrieve these associations. For example, if you're going to write a test in a lecture room, it may help to study in a lecture room (if at all possible!)
Some people study well in a group since they can get help from others in areas in which they are lacking. They may also gain valuable insight from others on what they have overlooked and which critical areas to focus on for the test. On the other hand, some people study well alone. They already know what they have to study and find a group can be distracting (especially when they engage in off-topic conversation or try to do absolutely everything but study!) You're the one who knows yourself the best, so determine what works best for you and get to it!
Once you have established your location and study style, it is now time to find your preferred study method. Some students find it useful to reread their course notes as previously mentioned, others like to reread assigned chapters from the text book, answer textbook questions, review past assignments, research online, or even talk to the teacher or other students about the material. There are some helpful techniques you can use with any method you choose, these include; memory-improving procedures such as mnemonics, visualization, and association. These techniques may make it easier for you to recall the studied topic when it comes to testing time.
A method that works efficiently for most people is studying in small pieces instead of large chunks of time when possible. Studying in large chunks of time can be counterproductive as it increases the chance that you will overwhelm your brain with information and start forgetting things. If you study in small pieces of time, you aren't absorbing all of this information at once and it gives you a chance to rest. Take study breaks away from your desk or wherever you are studying. Let the break be a time to think about other things. Use some break time to reflect, not constantly review what you have just studied. Prioritize! Make a list of what you intend to study, prioritize the list and stick to it!
Studying for a test can be nerve-wracking for many students. Often they feel as if they are reading the material for the first time and begin to panic. An easy way to avoid this is note taking. It may seem like a simple solution, but it has powerful results. During class or directly after you should take notes of what you have just learned. This could be something as straightforward as page numbers to reread later or more complex ideas on the material. It is important to review these notes at the end of the day. When it comes time to study for the test, recalling these items will be easier and faster than trying to learn something that seems new. Studying these notes throughout the course and calling upon them during testing time will make the whole experience less time consuming and less nerve-wracking.
Where you study is important. Find a place that's readily available with minimal distractions. A popular place for most students to study is at home. However, for some, home can be too distracting as it's easy to get side tracked. What may help is if you study in a place that's similar to the place where you're going to take the test. When you study, you might associate certain topics with the environment. So if you take the test in a similar environment, you can more easily retrieve these associations. For example, if you're going to write a test in a lecture room, it may help to study in a lecture room (if at all possible!)
Some people study well in a group since they can get help from others in areas in which they are lacking. They may also gain valuable insight from others on what they have overlooked and which critical areas to focus on for the test. On the other hand, some people study well alone. They already know what they have to study and find a group can be distracting (especially when they engage in off-topic conversation or try to do absolutely everything but study!) You're the one who knows yourself the best, so determine what works best for you and get to it!
Once you have established your location and study style, it is now time to find your preferred study method. Some students find it useful to reread their course notes as previously mentioned, others like to reread assigned chapters from the text book, answer textbook questions, review past assignments, research online, or even talk to the teacher or other students about the material. There are some helpful techniques you can use with any method you choose, these include; memory-improving procedures such as mnemonics, visualization, and association. These techniques may make it easier for you to recall the studied topic when it comes to testing time.
A method that works efficiently for most people is studying in small pieces instead of large chunks of time when possible. Studying in large chunks of time can be counterproductive as it increases the chance that you will overwhelm your brain with information and start forgetting things. If you study in small pieces of time, you aren't absorbing all of this information at once and it gives you a chance to rest. Take study breaks away from your desk or wherever you are studying. Let the break be a time to think about other things. Use some break time to reflect, not constantly review what you have just studied. Prioritize! Make a list of what you intend to study, prioritize the list and stick to it!
About the Author:
HelpMeToStudy.org is the leading online resource for learning new study skills, changing your studying habits and finding the best study tips available. We will help you change the way you think about study - and even better - we will show you how to study effectively: How To Study Effectively | Learn How To Get Better Grades
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