Exam Time Study Skills

From TeenHealthCentre.com

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Exam Time Study Skills
By Teen Health Centre
Jan 26, 2005, 18:50

Imagine you are studying for a big test, it's important, then the phone rings. That's urgent, when you answer it, you find out the call isn't important, but you chat for an hour. Does this sound familiar? Planning for exams is essential and the following ideas will give you an outline to follow for successful goal attainment.

Goal Setting

It is a fact that a day has only 24 hours. You need 7-9 hours of sleep, you also need time to eat and relax. Your time is valuable! Plan what matters most. Set some goals. Goals are the concrete expression of what's most important to you. They help you to focus your efforts. They break down a dream into specific, achievable tasks. Make your dream come true..

Set goals but remember to make them SMART:

S- Specific goals state exactly what you want to accomplish. They are not vague or confusing, but clear and concise. e.g. I want to get into the engineering program at the University of Windsor in September 2002.

M- Measurable goals state what you want and when you want it. They enable you to measure your progress at any point along the way. e.g. I will obtain an 80 % in all of my courses this semester.

A- Action-Oriented goals indicate how they will be achieved. They specify what you need to do to reach your goals. e.g. I will study 2 hours each evening and a total of 8 hours on the weekend.

R- Realistic goals are possible. They are attainable, considering the resources and constraints relative to your situation. e.g. I will develop a long and short term study schedule. I will review my progress in meeting these goals on Sunday evening and evaluate if I am meeting my action plan.

T- Timely goals allow reasonable time to achieve them, but not so much time that you lose focus or motivation. Timely goals will have a specific deadline. e.g. I will achieve my goal at the end of the semester.

Preparing for the Class

Critical thinking in necessary if you are to understand the material and recognize the areas that you are having difficulty with.
Think abstract! Look for key ideas, patterns, and recurring principles.
Think creative! Find new possibilities or alternative solutions. Brainstorm with a few classmates, siblings or parents and discuss the material. You will remember the material if you try to teach the material to someone.
Think objective! Distinguish between facts and opinions; what's true.
Think precise! Organize your ideas ; be clear.
Do the assigned reading well in advance.
Before class, take a few minutes to refresh your knowledge and review your notes from the previous class.

Reading Textbooks

Survey the text for headings, keywords or summaries.
Estimate the time needed to read the entire section.
Plan to read a specific number of pages in a limited time period.
Underline key ideas and write notes during your actual reading.
Don't be afraid to write notes or draw in your text.
Recite the material to yourself, know what you have read. Talk about the material to a friend.
Summarize important chapters, lectures, or discussions. Just doing this will help you remember.
Quickly review what you are learning in each class daily and weekly.
Apply what you are learning as soon as possible.

Taking Notes

Be an active listener
Don't write down everything
Use your own words, not your instructors
Learn different note taking methods (mapping, outlining)
Keep notes organized by dating and numbering pages
Keep all notes for one class in one place
Listen for and record main ideas and supporting facts
Leave sufficient white space to allow you to add notes later on
After class, quickly review your notes
Add explanatory notes to yourself, or teach the material to a friend

Remembering

Quickly review what your learning in each class daily and weekly.
Summarize important chapters, lectures or discussions. Just doing this will help you remember.
Apply what you're learning as soon as possible.
Study with friends if you can stay on topic. Ask questions and answer their questions.
Learn memory aid techniques to trigger recall.
Work in the same place as much as possible.
Keep your workplace clean and uncluttered.
Make sure you have good lighting to avoid tired eyes and drowsiness.
Use a firm straight chair.
Don't do you homework in front of the TV!
Quiet music may help, or it may distract you. Choose what's best and stick to it.

Studying for an Exam

Find out what kind of test you are getting. (multiple choice or essay)
Avoid cramming.
Set up a study schedule so you review everything well before the test.
Write out likely questions and answer them.
Schedule short breaks (10-15 minutes each hour) or so and walk around the block or do something invigorating. This scheduling keeps you at the task in anticipation of a break.
Eat nutritious snacks while studying.
Get enough rest the night before.

Taking a Multiple Choice Exam

Read each question carefully.
Before looking at the possible answers, form an answer in your mind.
Read each possible answer before making a choice.
Watch for words such as always, never, only or except.
Don't change your initial answer unless you are absolutely certain it is wrong.

Taking an Essay Exam

Survey the entire exam and note the questions that are easy for you.
Estimate how much time you have to answer each question.
Answer easier questions first to build your self confidence.
Read questions several times to ensure you understand what is being asked.
Underline key words such as analyze, discuss, define or describe.
Take a few moments to brainstorm and create a rough outline.
Support each major idea with specific examples and detailed information.
Remember to begin each answer with an introduction.
Conclude by briefly summing up your answer.

Habits for Success

First things first.

Spend time on important things before they become urgent.
Don't be ruled by urgency. Never avoid important work because of merely urgent work.
Do important things early. Waiting until they are urgent just increases your stress level.
After classes, review what needs to be completed.
Prioritize your tasks. Complete them in that order. For each of your tasks decide whether they are vital (must be done), important (should be done) or optional (could be done).
Number your tasks in order of importance to you and complete them in that order.

How to Beat Procrastination

Don't wait to do the important tasks.
Start now!!!
Reward yourself when you complete a task.
Work with and encourage others. Let them encourage you.
Be in control.
Plan carefully.
ACT on your plan.