Eat a light, healthy snack about 45-30 minutes before the test so your mind will be clear
Be realistic about your expectations, accept the fact that perfection is not always necessary
Breathe fully and relax! Gain control, be positive, and remain focused
Skim the ENTIRE test over before you begin. Answer questions which come easily to you first then move on to the more complicated ones.
ALWAYS GO WITH YOUR INSTINCT when answering
If you have difficulty answering one question, make a mark in the margin to remind yourself to return to that one later. Do not spend all class time on one question!
Key Points:
Location
Self Direction
Self Discipline
Study in 1 hr blocks
Repeat
Study in Groups
Test yourself
TECHNIQUES Teach someone else; study with a partner; re-do drawings; write memory songs/poems; link with applications completed in class; speak the words out loud; explain in sentence a list of events; make a story out of the information; make flash cards for terms and symbols; relate the information to what you previously have learned; teach someone in your family and have them quiz you. Find what works best for you and make time to focus on those!
1. LOCATION Find a place to study that is free of interruptions and distractions
2. SELF DIRECTION Establish your own behavior patterns of what, when, where and how much to study. Don't be afraid to ask for help and seek encouragement from your classmates.
3. SELF -DISCIPLINE Develop your own study rules and stick to them. You must establish your own study times, listen to lectures actively, conscientiously do the lab exercises, etc.
4. Study in 1 hour blocks The amount you need to study for a class differs from person to person. You never want to study in blocks longer than 1 hour. After an hour, take a break for 10-15 minutes doing anything, just don't study. After a break, go back and focus.
5. Repeat - repeat - repeat - repeat The only way to learn is repetition. 24 hours after you have been exposed to any information without repetition, you will have only about 10% of the memorized information
6. STUDY IN GROUPS Find fellow members of your class to study with, not necessarily your friends. Everyone has different strengths and weaknesses. In a good study group, for every concept there is usually someone who understands that concept. Your strength might be someone else's weakness. If you can explain a concept to someone, then (and only then) do you understand it yourself. Study groups work best with 4-6 people.
7. TEST YOURSELF Develop a method of testing yourself to make sure you are retaining information. (Index cards, study notes, study tapes.)
STUDY EFFECTIVELY Make your study time as uninterrupted as possible. Pick a good time. Keep stocked up on things you need so there is no reason to interrupt your studies. Use the same place. Be efficient with your time. Study in seclusion, (when the kids are at school). Turn off the phone, TV etc. Put away all other distractions. Even make it a luxury for yourself. Every time you get interrupted, you lose information. Make a regular study area - no clutter around you.