Learning Takes Time
Study Schedule
- Build a study schedule directly into the calendar where you’re organizing everything else
- Figure out exact dates and times of exams (and add them to your calendar)
- When sitting down and studying, try to replicate the test conditions
Memory is Context-Based*: If you review the materials under conditions that are similar to the test conditions, you will be able to recall it much easier*
Preparation
Get as much information about the test as possible
Ask your teacher
Look at the syllabus
What/How much it covers?
How many questions will there be?
- What is your time limit?
What types of questions? (Multiple choice, True/False, Short Answer, Essay)
What materials are allowed? (scratch paper, index caard, study sheet, open-notebook)
Get hands-on practice tests & Review previous tests
How to Study
- Most of the studying should be done in an Established Study Space
- Try for study sessions in the actual classroom you’ll be tested in (or a similar one)
- Study under similar constraints/conditions to the actual test
- Set a timer (like the test’s time limit)
- Quiz yourself with the same access of materials you’ll have during the test (NO textbook, notes, study guide)
Focus on Recall*: When quizing yourself, force youself to actually pull facts and answers from your memory.*
Quizing Yourself
- Create your own quiz from a Study Guide provided or Lecture Notes
- Take every concept listed and convert it into a question
- Create questions out of main concepts and events
- When forming your questions, try to emulate the test as much as possible
Facts and Vocabulary Terms are good for Flash Cards
For test involving calculations: Spend majority of your time performing operations yourself. Practice doing the calculations much more than learning concepts and formulas.
- Create an Index Card for your exam, even if you can’t use it
- Forces you to think about the most important information for your exam
- When making it, you are actively engaged in the information, further helping you to memorize it
Remember to give your brain breaks: To make your brain focus intensely, you need to give it time off.