spsu 1001 hitchhiker’s guide to spsu stress management test taking copyright © 2010 by bob brown

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SPSU 1001 Hitchhiker’s Guide to SPSU Stress Management Test Taking Copyright © 2010 by Bob Brown

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Page 1: SPSU 1001 Hitchhiker’s Guide to SPSU Stress Management Test Taking Copyright © 2010 by Bob Brown

SPSU 1001Hitchhiker’s Guide to SPSU

Stress Management

Test Taking

Copyright © 2010 by Bob Brown

Page 2: SPSU 1001 Hitchhiker’s Guide to SPSU Stress Management Test Taking Copyright © 2010 by Bob Brown

“Engagement” Grades• Teachers report whether each student is

“engaged” in the third week of the term.

• I tend to rely on homework to determine that.

• The theory is that, if you are not engaged with the class by the third week, you are in danger of an unsatisfactory grade.

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Page 3: SPSU 1001 Hitchhiker’s Guide to SPSU Stress Management Test Taking Copyright © 2010 by Bob Brown

Stress• New environment

• New demands

• Changes in personalrelationships

• Increased (and maybeunknown) expectations

• What else?

Page 4: SPSU 1001 Hitchhiker’s Guide to SPSU Stress Management Test Taking Copyright © 2010 by Bob Brown

What is Stress?• A normal physical response to external

forces that affect us:• Physical environment

• Relationships

• Demands placed on us

• And our internal reactions to these forces

• Stress is related to “fight or flight”

• Stress can be positive, neutral, or negative

• Chronic (prolonged) stress is bad

Page 5: SPSU 1001 Hitchhiker’s Guide to SPSU Stress Management Test Taking Copyright © 2010 by Bob Brown

Recognizing Stress• Changes in appetite

• Changes in sleep patterns

• Fatigue, exhaustion

• Sadness, or even crying

• Feelings of alarm, frustration, apathy

• Headache, muscle tension

• Worsening of existing health problems

Page 6: SPSU 1001 Hitchhiker’s Guide to SPSU Stress Management Test Taking Copyright © 2010 by Bob Brown

Stress Can Help You• It’s a physical response to external

conditions.

• Your body gets ready for fight or flight.

• The glucose supply to the brain increases.

• But remember, chronic stress is bad.

Page 7: SPSU 1001 Hitchhiker’s Guide to SPSU Stress Management Test Taking Copyright © 2010 by Bob Brown

Dealing with Stress• Controlling your environment• Set and keep a schedule

• Get exercise

• Get enough sleep, at least seven hours

• Give yourself a break – save some time for fun.

• Set realistic goals• Make lists

• Put things in order of priority

• Don’t sweat the small stuff

• Manage your time (more on that next time)

Page 8: SPSU 1001 Hitchhiker’s Guide to SPSU Stress Management Test Taking Copyright © 2010 by Bob Brown

Drugs and Alcohol• May temporarily mask stress

• Do not solve the underlying problems

• So, the end result is even more stress!

Page 9: SPSU 1001 Hitchhiker’s Guide to SPSU Stress Management Test Taking Copyright © 2010 by Bob Brown

Getting Help• Don’t try to deal with overwhelming stress

on your own.

• Sometimes, just talking through a problem will help you “sort it out.” Talk with:• A friend

• Your advisor or another professor.

• The Career and Counseling Center (in the Student Center Building) has licensed counselors to help you. Sessions are confidential.

Page 10: SPSU 1001 Hitchhiker’s Guide to SPSU Stress Management Test Taking Copyright © 2010 by Bob Brown

Tests• Your goal as a University student: mastery

of the material.• Your instructors must measure (assess) your

level of mastery. • Quizzes and exams are one type of

assessment technique.• So, they’re an inevitable part of university

life.• If you’ve mastered the material, you will do

well on a “good” test.

Page 11: SPSU 1001 Hitchhiker’s Guide to SPSU Stress Management Test Taking Copyright © 2010 by Bob Brown

Before a Test• Start on Day One!

• Go to class, on time, every time.

• Read the assigned material before it is scheduled to be discussed in class.

• Do the homework, on time, every time.

• Take notes as appropriate; notice those things the instructor emphasizes or repeats.

• Notes should jog your memory, not be a transcript of the lecture!

Page 12: SPSU 1001 Hitchhiker’s Guide to SPSU Stress Management Test Taking Copyright © 2010 by Bob Brown

Before the Test• Review your notes shortly after class.

• Make additions as necessary during the review.

• Look up anything that remains unclear.

• Go to the next class with a list of questions.

• The class day before the test may be especially important. Be there and be alert!

Page 13: SPSU 1001 Hitchhiker’s Guide to SPSU Stress Management Test Taking Copyright © 2010 by Bob Brown

Studying• Set aside time to study

• Organize your notes, reading material, and homework. Look for:• Main ideas

• Important concepts, skills, formulas

• Make flash cards for short-answer and math tests.

• Test yourself, preferably on paper:• Can I explain this concept?

• Can I work this problem?

• Plan to finish studying at least several hours before the exam; preferably the previous day.

Page 14: SPSU 1001 Hitchhiker’s Guide to SPSU Stress Management Test Taking Copyright © 2010 by Bob Brown

Test Day• Organize “gear” the day before:• Extra pencils and pens; scratch paper

• Books, calculators, etc. if allowed.

• Be on time. (That means at least five minutes early.)

• Be rested; all-nighters do not work.• Be physically comfortable:• Comfortable clothes

• Neither hungry nor too full

• Take that bathroom break before test time.

Page 15: SPSU 1001 Hitchhiker’s Guide to SPSU Stress Management Test Taking Copyright © 2010 by Bob Brown

Test Anxiety• Being well-prepared is the best antidote.

• Expect some anxiety; it is OK.

• Stay relaxed. Take a 30-second break, change positions, and a few deep breaths if you find yourself tensing up.

• Keep on task, avoid distractions:• Phone and other gear turned off.

• Don’t let your mind wander.

• The Career and Counseling Center can help with recurring test anxiety.

Page 16: SPSU 1001 Hitchhiker’s Guide to SPSU Stress Management Test Taking Copyright © 2010 by Bob Brown

General Strategies• First thing: Put your name on the paper!• Read the directions slowly and carefully. Ask

questions if anything is unclear.• Unless the test is insanely long, skim through the

whole thing before you start; budget your time.• Make notes in the margin or back of page as you

think of things.• Answer the easy questions first!• Do not worry about how long your classmates

are taking.

Page 17: SPSU 1001 Hitchhiker’s Guide to SPSU Stress Management Test Taking Copyright © 2010 by Bob Brown

Multiple Choice Questions• Read the question and think of the answer before

you read the suggested answers.

• If you’re unsure, eliminate answers you know aren’t right.

• If you know at least one statement is true, don’t choose “None of the above.”

• If at least two statements are true, consider “All of the above.”

• Positive choices and choices with a lot of information are likely to be right.

• Be wary of “always” and “never.”

Page 18: SPSU 1001 Hitchhiker’s Guide to SPSU Stress Management Test Taking Copyright © 2010 by Bob Brown

True/False Questions• Read the whole statement carefully. Pay

attention to qualifiers.• If any part of the statement is false, choose

“false.”• Be wary of “always,” “never,” and “every.”• “Usually,” “generally,” and “sometimes” often

go with a correct answer of “true.”• If you don’t know, guess. You have a 50-50

chance of being right. (Unless there’s a penalty for guessing.)

Page 19: SPSU 1001 Hitchhiker’s Guide to SPSU Stress Management Test Taking Copyright © 2010 by Bob Brown

Short Answer Questions• Read carefully; be sure to answer all the

parts.

• Answer the easy questions first.

• If you know any part of the answer, write it down.

• Do not waste the teacher’s time with “smart” answers.

• Write as legibly as possible.

Page 20: SPSU 1001 Hitchhiker’s Guide to SPSU Stress Management Test Taking Copyright © 2010 by Bob Brown

Quantitative/Math Questions• Repetition is important when you study.• Write key formulas in the margin before

you start.• When possible, estimate the order of

magnitude of the answer before you work a problem. (Example: 48 12 should be “about 500.”)

• Show all your work; write legibly.• If you finish early, recheck your work,

especially the arithmetic.

Page 21: SPSU 1001 Hitchhiker’s Guide to SPSU Stress Management Test Taking Copyright © 2010 by Bob Brown

Open Book Tests• Usually harder than closed-book tests, so

studying is important...• Be sure you’ve done the required reading

and know the organization of the book.• Know what resources are allowed and bring

everything allowed, e.g. a formula sheet.• If you can answer a question from memory,

do so, then check the book!• The index is your friend!

Page 22: SPSU 1001 Hitchhiker’s Guide to SPSU Stress Management Test Taking Copyright © 2010 by Bob Brown

Oral Exams• Find out whether you are allowed props or

visual aids.

• Be sure you know the topics of the exam.

• Practice oral answers with a friend.

• Dress appropriately.

• Speak in complete sentences.

• Be aware of eye contact, posture, body language.

• Thank the professor at the end.

Page 23: SPSU 1001 Hitchhiker’s Guide to SPSU Stress Management Test Taking Copyright © 2010 by Bob Brown

Afterwards• Check your grade for math mistakes; if you

think you’ve found one, re-check.

• If you find a grading mistake, talk to the professor, but do not quibble over one or two points.

• If the professor goes over the test:• Be there!

• Take notes, preferably on your exam paper

• Understand what was wanted for answers marked off.

• Understand how “right” answers could be improved.

Page 24: SPSU 1001 Hitchhiker’s Guide to SPSU Stress Management Test Taking Copyright © 2010 by Bob Brown

Assess Your Test• It is not enough to “learn the right answers.”

• For questions you missed, understand why you got a wrong answer, or no answer.

• Be honest with yourself.

• Learn “what worked” when you studied. Reinforce those techniques.

• Learn what didn’t work and re-think your approach.

Page 25: SPSU 1001 Hitchhiker’s Guide to SPSU Stress Management Test Taking Copyright © 2010 by Bob Brown

In Case of Emergency…• Find a quiet, well-lit place to study.

• You can do without food or without sleep, but not both! (Don’t overdo sugar and coffee, though.)

• Choose what to study; try to focus on things the professor emphasized.

• Read the chapter summaries.

• Study past tests, your notes, homework.

Page 26: SPSU 1001 Hitchhiker’s Guide to SPSU Stress Management Test Taking Copyright © 2010 by Bob Brown

Questions