Studying for a few days can be tiring, but it always pays off!Most
people who have gone through the school system can clearly recall
the panic they felt when they realize that an exam is coming up in
a few weeks or days, especially if it's one that they totally
forgot about or underestimated the time needed to revise! If
you're in this situation, don't fret. Enough level-headed people
have been in this situation, handled it and have proven that there
is still enough time to study, provided you do it properly. Here's
how!
!! Steps !!
_ Don't panic!Calm down. Keep in mind that if you have a decent
attendance rate, and did a halfway reasonable job doing your
assignments, you actually have a lot of knowledge already. This
main knowledge will help you throughout your test.
* Don't panic. Panic will only make your situation worse. You will
be focusing on the horror, and not the upcoming test. Many times,
panic can even deter your chances of doing well on the exam. If
you panic, take deep breaths (try not to hyperventilate), and
think that you CAN do this.
* You're smart enough to realize you need to study days in advance.
While some people study the day before, and some people always
study this way, realize that last-minute studying is not the ideal
way to study, especially not for the sake of long-term retention
of the subject-matter.
Determine what material needs to be covered. Most exams cover
specific subjects and material, and it's important to know which
material or components you need to study. Otherwise, you may be
using your precious remaining study time incorrectly. Ask your
teacher about the subjects you'll be tested on and which chapters
you need to cover. For example: What period in African history? Are
diagrams important? Ask your teacher if you're unclear, as they want
you to succeed.
* Study the most important topics first. Exams usually cover a few
core ideas, concepts, or skills. When pinched for time, focus your
energies on the very important bits you'll be tested on, rather
than scattering your studies everywhere. Review sheets, the
highlighted topics in textbooks, and the parts your teacher
stressed repeatedly are all clues as to what are the really
important topics or components.
* Find out how the test will be presented. What types of questions
will be on it (multiple choice, essay, word problem, etc.)? Find
out how much each section is worth. If you do not know, ask the
teacher. This will help you know what will be the most important
sections, and how it will be presented.
Make a study plan. It may seem like a basic and simple task, but
people who make a detailed study plan often have an easier time with
studying and they find they have more time to relax and chill. When
making a study plan, build in the amount of time you have left
before the exam date. Is the exam in a month? Did the teacher spring
the test on you? Is it a mid year exam that has been building since
the start of the year? Depending on the time frame, make your study
plan will long or short.
* Determine what subjects you don't know as much about and include
more study sessions on these topics. The aspects you know more
about still need reviewing, but they will come easier, so try to
focus on the more challenging topics.
* Plan your time. It's tempting to put everything off until the
night before the test. Instead, figure out how much time you will
put aside each day for study. Remember to account for breaks. A
good rule is: study for a half-hour, break for ten minutes.
Figure out your study methods. Study methods include using colors,
pictures and brainstorm or mindmap pages. Some people learn and
remember things better if they're in certain colors whereas other
people may remember diagrams and pictures more easily. Use the
method that works for you. It's no use reading a ton of text if your
study method is diagrams. Remember, everyone has different methods
to study, what works for your best friend may not work for you.
* Use tools that will help you to study. Tools like flashcards may
be boring, but really help memorize important things.
* Tape flashcards in random places to quiz yourself. This is a good
way to sneak in study time, as discussed below.
* Take notes and ask questions. It's never too
late, and the sessions before the exam are usually for review,
which is just what you need. If you're studying and happen to come
across a part you can't understand, write it down. Ask your
teacher either during class or during office hours. And don't
worry – you aren't dumb if you ask questions. Questions mean
that you're actively paying attention, and you're learning.
Besides, a question ahead of time could mean a better grade on the
exam.
* Find your resources. Your textbook, notes,
online sources, classmates, teachers, and possibly your family
members can all be of use. Old assignments are especially good, as
some exams have questions directly off homework.
Studying together can be helpful; just make sure you're not
goofing off.Ask for help. You don't get bonus points for going
it alone. Classmates can be helpful in studying, but choose
someone who will help you, not the friend you tend to goof off
with. Ask help from your parents or siblings; they may really
appreciate being asked. Younger siblings especially like
"quizzing" older brother or sisters!
* Form a study group. Not only do you have additional help, you also
have the advantage of studying with people you know well.
Memorize as much as possible. Key to top performance is the ability
to memorize all relevant materials. There are tricks for helping to
memorize, otherwise called mnemonics. These can include, for
instance, poetic or rhyming mnemonics for the auditory learner,
visual imagery and fantasy for the visual learner, dance or movement
for the kinesthetic learner (as muscles have memory), or some
combination. Repetition is another form of memorization that is most
commonly used. It allows for high recall if practiced in regular
intervals. Practice it even beyond the point at which your memory
recall is instantaneous, because this serves as a form of
reinforcement.
* A common mnemonic is HOMES for the Great Lakes. Another one is
drawing stick figures to represent vocabulary words (like a good
reason for drawing cartoons!). Create your own mnemonics that suit
your needs.
* Try rewriting down your notes to study. This is an effective way
to memorize.
* Don't let time get to you when you study!Sneak in study time.
Short, repeated periods of study are often more effective than
long periods of study. Go over your flash cards while waiting for
the bus. Look over a diagram of the spleen while waiting for your
breakfast. Read an important quote from "Macbeth" while brushing
your teeth. Review the information during study halls or extra
time at lunch.
* Reward yourself. It can help to have a reward for meeting your
goal to strive for. Have rewards in place for study milestones and
for achieved results, in increasing value to you.
Organize yourself for the test. Be sure you have what you need for
the test the night before. If you need a No. 2 pencil, a calculator,
a German dictionary, or whatever, have it. The more put-together you
are, the calmer you will be, and the more likely you will do well.
Be sure your alarm clock is set, so you won't oversleep.
* If you're allowed to take food in, take some jelly babies for a
sugary hit, but it's best to stick to healthy fruit and veggies.
Apple or carrots make an easy snack that will help replenish your
brain power.
* Take a bottle of water with no_ stickers or labels (these could
raise suspicions that you're hiding answers on them).
Eat properly. Good nutrition is vital for optimal thinking. Try to
stay away from high sugar and fatty foods such as ice-cream and
cookies. Replace sweet sugary drinks with a cool glass of water or a
fresh juice or milk.
* Have a "brain" meal the night before. Fish makes a great meal the
night before, as it is nutrition for your brain. Try eating some
fresh veggies and pasta with the fish.
* Eat a good breakfast. It will keep your mind alert. An example of
a good breakfast is a glass of juice, an egg, toast, and cheese.
If you do have to eat a bowl of cold cereal, make sure it's
wholesome and whole-grain, not a sugary brand, or you may
experience a 'crash' during the test.
* Don't have coffee as this will only keep you up and once the
caffeine has worn out, you won't be able to keep your eyes open.
Taking a test while you're drowsy is a no-no, so avoid coffee, or
eating too close to bedtime. All that digesting will keep you
awake at night.
* Be careful about making any abrupt eating changes; eat what you
would normally eat on a regular school day in order to not disrupt
your digestive patterns.
Get some sleep before the big day. This step is extremely important
and cannot be skipped. Without sleep, your chances of doing well on
the test fall extremely, because your brain can't focus on what it
needs to.
* If you can't get to sleep, try a warm milk.
* Do not alter your sleeping patterns. Go to sleep at your regular
time in order to keep your sleeping patterns regular.
_ There can be lots of tension during the test, but do your
best!Turn up ready for the test. Set your alarm clock in the
morning; be on time or even be a few minutes early. If it's a
test that requires registration, fees, identification and the
like, schedule extra time for that.
* Keep a positive attitude! Studying lots, but thinking you can't
really ace that exam, will reduce your chances of succeeding. See
yourself as acing it, relying on all the preparation and attention
you've given your studies to this point.
* Aim high. Don't just aim to pass_ the test (as passing the test is
quite easy), aim to get an A+. This way, you get a better grade.
!! Video !!
!! Tips !!
* It is sometimes assumed you just know how to study, but it's a
learned skill. Unfortunately, some schools do not specifically
teach these skills, and just leave you to figure it out on your
own. Ask your teacher, guidance counselor, and parents for these
services if you think you may need extra help. If you feel lost
about it, remember that you are not the only one.
* Some study guides the teacher gives you will not give you
questions that will be in the test, but rather aspects that will
be in the test, which you should have notes on. If you don't have
notes on something, ask the teacher! Don't wait around wondering.
* Ensure you're prepared. To achieve a high score on an exam,
develop effective study habits throughout the semester or term.
Spending dedicated time each day learning the materials and
creating study sheets in the process is highly beneficial in
improving or maintaining high performance.
* In severe cases, some students with chronic organizational issues
may have an underlying learning disability which is not
recognized. This does not mean you're stupid, only that you may
need to go about learning using a slightly different way.
* Study in a neat, tidy area, not a cluttered, papers-flying-around
place. Have everything in order. Sharpen your pencils, get your
erasers, etc.
* Keep in mind that it's better to be over-prepared than
under-prepared.
* Should you have no option but to cram, one helpful method is to
use a scent such as a scented candle or a spray. Spray it on your
notes, books, whatever you have that you're studying on. Spray it
on your binder, especially. Then, spray your pillow with the same
scent, enough to smell it. Spray some on your hand the next day as
this will bring back memories of studying.
* If you were absent a day, and missed notes, diagrams, maps, etc.,
don't wait until the day before or even the test day to get these.
Get the information in the time you have!
* Friends are not always a reliable source for notes. Get the notes
from the teacher instead. The point of notes are to take down what
_you_ think will be important. Your friend and you may have a very
different idea of what is important from the information.
* If the teacher writes certain points on the board, this is usually
an important indicator of what will be tested, and you should
write it down as well.
!! Warnings !!
* Never cheat on a test no matter how desperate you are. Listen to
your conscience. It can be worse to be caught cheating on a test
than failing a class. You won't feel as good as you should if you
pass the test. Aim to walk out of that classroom with pride,
knowing you did your best. This is far better than false pride,
and having to shove aside the thought that you cheated.
* Commercial notes like "Cliff Notes" may be appropriate study aids,
but realize they're not substitutes for your own notes.
* Avoid cramming; it's not a good study habit. Next time, study
consistently over the school year.
* Not everyone is good at cramming. If you're one of these people,
make sure that you cover only what will be on the test, and to be
on the safe side, a little bit of the next unit, should the
teacher include a question like that.
* Don't stay up too late studying. When faced with lack of time,
study the main details only that sum up the information. If you
stayed up all night and learned the material, you can still do
poorly as a result of lack of sleep.
* Don't study so hard that by the time you see the answers your mind
blanks out because you studied too hard and you're too stressed
out to function. "Studying hard" doesn't mean studying to the
point of utter exhaustion.
* Study groups _can_ turn into a social event rather than academic
discipline. It can help to have an adult monitor your studying,
even if it's a helpful parent.
* In some cases, friends may not always be the best with studying.
If you miss questions on an assignment which you can use to study
for the test, your best bet is to ask a teacher about the question
you missed. Studying the wrong answer is one of the worst things
you can do to study for the test.
* As for procrastination, do not use the "I'm going to study
after..." because this is simply procrastination in poor disguise.
!! Things You\'ll Need !!
* Materials to study with
* A good study area
!! Related WikiHows !!
* How to Create Good Study Habits for Exams
* How to Study For Exams
* How to Cram for a Test
* How to Ace a Test
* How to Study Better
* How to Use Your Whole Brain While Studying
* How to Study for Regents
!! Article Tools !!
* Read on wikiHow
*
0 comments:
Post a Comment