PLANNING

______  1.  Start at least 1-2 weeks early, depending on how many finals you have.  This can decrease stress.  One the worst things to do is procrastinate.

______  2.  Six to ten hours of studying per course may be necessary to know the material thoroughly and earn a good grade.  Therefore, you need to begin studying at least five days before the exam, so you can study in shorter blocks of time.  Research has shown that short, frequent study sessions – for example, studying in half-hour to hour intervals, followed by half-hour breaks – are much more effective than non-stop cramming.  The brain can better process information.  Remember: Cramming isn’t learning.

______  3.  Prioritize your studying.  What’s more important in each course?  Class notes?  The textbook?  Other assigned readings?  Guest speakers?  Films?  Previous tests?  Be sure not to underestimate the importance of the textbook.

______  4.  Set a goal for each study session. This will help you keep track of what you need to learn.  Write out your goals as soon as you begin your study session, or write them at the end of a study session for your next session.  Some examples might be: I will carefully read and summarize chapters 3 and 4. I will work through five equations.  I will learn the main concepts that were discussed in lectures from weeks 1-3.

______  5.  Narrow your focus.  If you try to learn everything that might possibly be on the exam, you may spread yourself too thin and won’t be able to learn anything thoroughly.

______   6.  Ask yourself what you would test if you were the professor.

______  7.  Find out if your professor makes any practice exams available.

GENERAL STUDY SUGGESTIONS

______  8.  Paraphrase as you read.  Keep saying to yourself, "Oh, I see, she’s saying ____."

______  9.  Focus on examples; they can often help you understand concepts and complex ideas.

______ 10. Talk with your professors after class or during office hours and ask them to explain ideas you find confusing.

______  11. Analyze previous tests.  If necessary, go to your professor’s office to do this.

______  12. Move beyond memorization.  Aim for understanding.

______ 13. Use flashcards sparingly. Some students spend hours making cards but don’t spend enough time actually using them.  Cards can be useful for memorizing isolated facts but they may not be as helpful for learning and understanding ideas.

______  14. Map out the main ideas covered in the course and then find links and relationships.

______  15. Try to visualize the information.  Half of your brain works in pictures, so use that half.

______  16. Think actively while you study. Don’t just re-read your notes; this can be a passive activity.  Re-write your notes, in terms that you understand.  Compare your notes to the textbook and add details.  Make study sheets from your notes. 

______  17. If you retain information well when you hear it, make tapes of yourself summarizing material and then listen to the tapes.

______  18. Use an empty classroom to write concepts on the board (the large size may help).

______  19. Change your surrounding to avoid fatigue.

______  20. Take care of yourself.  Find time for exercise and relaxation.

______  21. At all costs, avoid drugs, prescription or otherwise, to stay awake or enhance your performance.  They may be habit-forming. 

______  22. Get a good night’s sleep before each final. 

______  23. Before morning exams, try to eat something nutritious before the exam.

______  24. Keep a positive attitude.

______  25. Be sure to attend the last few classes of the semester.  Professors may explain exam format, and you may be able to ask questions about the material

STUDYING WITH OTHERS

______  26. If you study well with others, form a small study group of 2-4 serious students.  Take turns explaining material to one another.  Write practice test questions and quiz one another, being sure that your questions are similar to what your professor writes.

______   27. If you’re working with a tutor, ask to meet for an additional session close to the exam.   Explain difficult material to the tutor, so s/he can confirm or clarify your understanding.

AFTER EXAMS

______  28. Return to look over your final exams the following semester, or ask the professor to mail your exam to you (provide a self-addressed stamped envelope).  Professors are surprised at how few students ask to see their graded exams.  After you devote so much time and effort to studying (and they spend time grading your exam), you should care about the result.  Not looking at your final exam may suggest that you care more about the final grade than about learning the material.

Office of Academic Support

Niagara University