Being in college is nerve racking enough for some, and preparing for their first test can be even more terrifying. For some school comes easy and natural, and can get by with minimal studying. Others have to start studying days in advance for tests. Then there are some who start studying the night or two nights before and are okay with that. Nevertheless, not matter what type of student one may be there are some full proof methods to improving your study habits. To help better prepare you for your first college exam, it starts with taking quality notes, having time management skills, setting a good place to study, studying from multiple sources, and trusting oneself on the exam day.
Preparing for one’s first college exam starts with learning how to take quality notes in a lecture based class. According to Taking Notes in Classroom Lectures, there are five simple note taking stratagies, and they are read, reduce, recite, reflect, review. The first step is to record notes in class. The notes should be clear, concise, and organized. They need to identify and capture the main points and ideas. The next step reduce is used to create a summary after class is over. The student should write down key words, phrases, and questions they may have on the lecture. Recite is the next step. Using the list of key words and phrases the student should talk through them as if you were teaching someone else the material. One should make note of the key phrases or words they had difficulty with to study in depth more. Reflecting is the time to think over your notes. In this step the student is not trying to learn, but think about the notes and everything they have learned. The first four steps should be after every lecture or at least once a week. ...
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...agement, setting up a study environment, using multiple sources to study, and trusting oneself on the exam day.
Works Cited
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"Studying With Multiple Sources." Study Guides and Strategies. Study Guides and Strategies, n.d. Web. 11 Feb. 2014.
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McWhorter, Kathleen. Study Skills and Crtical Thinking for College Students Postman, Neil. Amusing Ourselves to Death
One of my studying techniques is to have one of my family members verbally assess me on the topic of examination based on information in my textbook for the given subject. This compares to what I have just learned because I sometimes alter the location of study during these sessions, such as one time in the dining room and one time in another room of the house. However, I would always stay on one subject for a long time, which may not have been a very good idea. Another studying technique that I used to have was studying the night before or the morning of the exam because I thought (with the influence of a girl from my fifth grade class) that the information would be easy to retain since it was so recently reviewed. This compares to the article since all of the material comes back to me, but is mostly forgotten long after I take the examination. This goes along with the scientific study mentioned in the article that students who had two studying sessions did exceptionally well on a test given right after the sessions, but gradually forgot the material (Carey, 2010). An additional studying condition I have is to do practice problems and tests on the material I will be tested on. This connects to the reading for the reason that I am being exposed to a variety of problems, which, according to the text, is a brilliant way to review. My studying habits will be adjusted to
Scholastic. "Standardized Tests | Prepare And Interpret Results." Scholastic.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 5 May 2014.
All my years in school, I have struggled with taking notes. It was always a problem for me because I never knew the right and most effective way to take notes. From taking this course, it has shown that there are many ways to take effective notes.
During my last semester at college, I postponed thinking about preparing for my tests. As each test day came closer, I got worried and desperately started cramming. I drank enough coffee to keep the whole city awake and woke up thinking that I would get a low grade. Eventually, I realized that students who always earned A's on their tests were not just lucky, but they really studied hard all through the semester. There are different ways to prepare for a specific test, and each individual must perfect his or her own style. I have developed a process that involves five steps to prepare for a test.
"Princeton University - Academic Preparation." Princeton University. Trustees of Princeton University, n.d. Web. 18 Mar. 2014.
Such preparation should include: attaining basic mathematics and English skills (study from other resources if needed) and aim to pass the placement test so that remedial classes are no longer an obligation. Then, enroll for a study skills course such as note taking and time management during the first semester so that it helps to ease learning experience and builds a foundation in learning method (Raley 18). Taking the study course is exceptionally crucial because it keeps our heads up towards our goal and motivates us to not get of the track. Also, academic talent alone might not be enough to push certain students to ace in college. Even for smart students, if they do not know how to manage their time properly or procrastinate in their study, they might be likely to just pass on the par in their
Young, K. (n.d.). Pros: Standardized Testing. Michigan State University. Est. 1855. East Lansing, Michigan USA. Retrieved December 2, 2010, from https://www.msu.edu/~youngka7/pros.html
The frist thing that a new college student must learn how to do is to stay organized and learn to decipher their priorities. By doing so you will make sure you never; miss an appointment, forget to do a homework assignment, and loose sight of time when doing a project or paper. (Waiting to the last minute never allows for your best work to be done) A planner is the best way to keep everything in order and well organized. Withier it be a monthly schedule or weekly or even daily, the use of a planer is huge tool for your success.
Personally, I am an advocate for cramming the day before the test, but not right before bed. Instead, I study first, do a little bit of homework, study some more, finish my homework, and then study once again. If I study a little bit each night, by the fourth or fifth night I will begin to feel as if I have over-studied and then begin mixing up each piece of information. In this essay, I have compared and contrasted both methods and it should be much easier for each student to choose a way that works best for them. Both methods can be effective, it just depends on the students’ personality in general.
Two of the most important study skills are setting goals and taking notes. A student may set a time goal, such as studying a few hours a week; set a general goal, such as trying to study hard and stay on schedule; set a specific performance goal, such as getting at least 80% of the homework problems correct. Another important study skill is taking notes. Students generally make two kinds of mistakes in taking notes. One is to try to write down everything the instructor says, which leads to confusing notes. The other is to copy concepts that they do not understand but hope to learn by memorization. Good notes are compromised of the following: 1) written information summarized in your own words; 2) outline the important concepts; 3) try to associate the lecture notes with the material text; 4) asking yourself questions and making up questions from the notes.
This one being your first year in college, you may have trouble concentrating while you study. Some techniques that can help your concentration are being selective, relaxing, and over learning. Being selective means to make choices about what is most important to learn. When you are studying, you should be able to know what may or may not be on the test, your notes for the week can be helpful. In addition, pay attention to charts, tables, and illustrations that you think may appear on the test. Relaxing is a good technique to use because when you are relaxed you are able to absorb more information. One way to relax is to use a breathing technique (inhale, count from one to ten, and exhale, and count from one to ten, and so on). Over learning can help you fight mental vagueness. When you are struggling in a class, it is best for you to learn more than you need to know about the subject. You can use these techniques every time you are studying or when you cannot concentrate.
Starting college has affected many of my habits, mainly study habits. The first couple months of classes went by so smoothly and I felt like I was adjusting fine. I attended class regularly and took notes from the lectures. I knew that college was different than high school but I continued with the norm. Now, that the mid-term grades have been posted I have realized that College required more time management and consistency within the study habits. My mid-term grades have changed my mind set. I have designated certain days of the week for “study time” for each class hoping for improvement.
An important question to address when attempting to identify effective study strategies and their relationship with academic performance is, “What are study skills?” The term “study skills” can be defined as proficiency in identifying, organizing, memorizing, and using information in order to succeed academically (Proctor, Prevatt, Adams, Hurst, & Petscher, 2006). Activities identified as study skills include “time management, setting appropriate goals, selecting an appropriate study environment, employing appropriate note-taking strategies, concentrating, selecting main ideas, self-testing, organization, and managing anxiety,” (Proctor et al., 2006). When studying, college students employ a variety of these study strategies that they believe
I will make and keep a regular study schedule. Through the time schedule, I can properly allocate my time. Study is important, but we should also allow ourselves to have some time for rest and relaxation. Next, study at the right place is also an important method to study. The right place is useless without the right surrounding conditions. For me, I will choose the same place to study everyday. For example, library is a good choice to study, it was also a place that with zero distractions. When you are studying, you should keep away from all the distractions, such as music, television, movies, friends, mobile phone and so on. In addition, we must maintain the correct attitude when we were studying. Do not waste time, the time will not wait for you. Don’t be childish, don’t think than I can’t, allocate the time for study and the time for play. I never start to study while I’m stressed. You’ll get frustrated and it isn’t going to help de-stress you. When you are stressed, you should clear your mind for a little while and study when you can focus on