Download - Exam Study Strategies that REALLY Work
Exam Study Strategies Exam Study Strategies that REALLY Work!that REALLY Work!
Why Can Studying for Why Can Studying for Exams Be Such A Exams Be Such A Challenging Task?Challenging Task? It can be overwhelming to study 5 months worth of It can be overwhelming to study 5 months worth of
material for one testmaterial for one test
Sometimes we are exhausted by the end of the Sometimes we are exhausted by the end of the semestersemester
The exam can be worth a fairly high percentage of The exam can be worth a fairly high percentage of our final mark in the courseour final mark in the course
We often have 1-3 other exams we also need to be We often have 1-3 other exams we also need to be studying for…where do we find the time?studying for…where do we find the time?
We don’t teach students how to study, we assume We don’t teach students how to study, we assume they know how best to do this, for every individual they know how best to do this, for every individual subject areasubject area
How Do Students Make Exam How Do Students Make Exam Studying An Even MORE Studying An Even MORE Stressful Experience?Stressful Experience? They have unorganized and/or incomplete notes from They have unorganized and/or incomplete notes from
the coursethe course
They have not been asking questions along the way to They have not been asking questions along the way to ensure understandingensure understanding
They don’t budget their time wisely or start studying far They don’t budget their time wisely or start studying far enough ahead of timeenough ahead of time
They don’t consider ways to make the most of their They don’t consider ways to make the most of their studying timestudying time
They don’t recognize the time and effort that will be They don’t recognize the time and effort that will be required to be adequately prepared for the examrequired to be adequately prepared for the exam
They don’t adjust other priorities during exam time to They don’t adjust other priorities during exam time to make the exams their primary focusmake the exams their primary focus
The Keys to Effective The Keys to Effective StudyingStudying
Effective study skills must be practiced in order Effective study skills must be practiced in order to improveto improve
It’s not enough to “think about” studying – you It’s not enough to “think about” studying – you actually have to do it and then reflect on what actually have to do it and then reflect on what you could be doing betteryou could be doing better
General Exam Study Tips…General Exam Study Tips…Tested and True!Tested and True! Begin studying no less than 30-60 minutes after a mealBegin studying no less than 30-60 minutes after a meal
Never study within 30 minutes of going to sleepNever study within 30 minutes of going to sleep
Prioritize! Make a list of what you intend to study and Prioritize! Make a list of what you intend to study and prioritize the listprioritize the list
Study no more than 45-60 minutes at a stretch, and Study no more than 45-60 minutes at a stretch, and then take breaksthen take breaks
Take breaks away from your desk and do something Take breaks away from your desk and do something differentdifferent
Try to continue your daily habits as usual (don’t Try to continue your daily habits as usual (don’t drastically reduce your sleep, eliminate exercise, or drastically reduce your sleep, eliminate exercise, or overeat)overeat)
Creating the Right Creating the Right Environment for StudyingEnvironment for Studying When deciding where you should do your exam When deciding where you should do your exam
studying consider the following:studying consider the following: Make sure the environment is moderately Make sure the environment is moderately
comfortable (furniture, temperature)comfortable (furniture, temperature)
Work somewhere where you will be free of Work somewhere where you will be free of distractions (phone, TV, MSN etc.)distractions (phone, TV, MSN etc.)
Try to use a space that is YOURS only and Try to use a space that is YOURS only and doesn’t have to be shared with other family doesn’t have to be shared with other family membersmembers
Keep the study space organized with a specific Keep the study space organized with a specific place for paper, pens, books etc.place for paper, pens, books etc.
Have everything you need to study with you Have everything you need to study with you before you sit down so you don’t waste time before you sit down so you don’t waste time looking for thingslooking for things
The Value of a Study The Value of a Study ScheduleSchedule
It will not be possible to allocate your time It will not be possible to allocate your time effectively if you don’t have a schedule to keep effectively if you don’t have a schedule to keep you focused and realistic about what you need you focused and realistic about what you need to accomplishto accomplish
The time taken to create the schedule is well The time taken to create the schedule is well worth it – it will save you much time that could worth it – it will save you much time that could have been lost to disorganization, stress, and have been lost to disorganization, stress, and poor planningpoor planning
The Keys to Effective Exam The Keys to Effective Exam Study SchedulingStudy Scheduling Obtain an exam outline for each of your courses Obtain an exam outline for each of your courses
including what material will be covered, the length of, including what material will be covered, the length of, and format of the examand format of the exam
Complete all of the preparation that will be required Complete all of the preparation that will be required for you to study effectively BEFORE you sit down and for you to study effectively BEFORE you sit down and actually study (i.e. complete missing homework, actually study (i.e. complete missing homework, correct tests, organize notes in order etc.)correct tests, organize notes in order etc.)
Realistically plan for the amount of time that you think Realistically plan for the amount of time that you think will be required to review the material for the course will be required to review the material for the course at least twice…and then double that amount of timeat least twice…and then double that amount of time
Decide which previous commitments will need to go Decide which previous commitments will need to go “on hold” while you are studying (i.e. reducing shifts “on hold” while you are studying (i.e. reducing shifts at work, no baby-sitting etc.)at work, no baby-sitting etc.)
Memorization StrategiesMemorization StrategiesSome material for your courses will simply require that Some material for your courses will simply require that you memorize the information. This comes easy to some you memorize the information. This comes easy to some people, but not all. Here are some strategies that you can people, but not all. Here are some strategies that you can try:try:
Rhyme KeysRhyme Keys: memorize key words that can be : memorize key words that can be associated with numbers, example- bun = one, two = associated with numbers, example- bun = one, two = shoe, three = tree etc. Then come up with visuals to shoe, three = tree etc. Then come up with visuals to remember a list, ie. Cheese on a bun, a cow with shoes remember a list, ie. Cheese on a bun, a cow with shoes on etc.)on etc.)
ChainingChaining: creating a story where each word or idea you : creating a story where each word or idea you have to remember cues the next idea you have to recall – have to remember cues the next idea you have to recall – i.e. a story where a character in a Shakespeare play i.e. a story where a character in a Shakespeare play bumps into four other characters as he goes for a walkbumps into four other characters as he goes for a walk
The Problem with The Problem with ConcentrationConcentration
At times when you may be trying to study for At times when you may be trying to study for exams…exams… Your mind may wander from one thing to Your mind may wander from one thing to
anotheranother Your worries may distract youYour worries may distract you Outside distractions may take you away Outside distractions may take you away
from your studies before you know itfrom your studies before you know it You may find the material boring, difficult, You may find the material boring, difficult,
and/or not interestingand/or not interesting
Concentration StrategiesConcentration Strategies
Here are some strategies students can use Here are some strategies students can use to focus during study timeto focus during study time:: Study in a set place that is naturally free of Study in a set place that is naturally free of
distractionsdistractions
When your mind wanders, tell yourself, When your mind wanders, tell yourself, “now is when I must study”“now is when I must study”
Stick to a routine, realistic, and effective Stick to a routine, realistic, and effective study schedulestudy schedule
Focus on your goals with the material you Focus on your goals with the material you are studying, each and every timeare studying, each and every time
Contact usContact usADDRESS :ADDRESS :
Billa Bong High InternationalBilla Bong High InternationalSchool School
Main Road No 27, WagleMain Road No 27, WagleIndustrial Estate, Asar Estate,Industrial Estate, Asar Estate,
Thane West, Shree Nagar, ShriThane West, Shree Nagar, ShriNagar, Thane West, Mumbai,Nagar, Thane West, Mumbai,
Maharashtra 400604Maharashtra 400604
PHONE NUMBERS :PHONE NUMBERS :+91 22-43407100+91 22-43407100+91 22-43407101+91 22-43407101
EMAIL :EMAIL :[email protected] [email protected]
Thank YouThank You