Evaluating Semester Grades

The fall semester is over and by now you have received your grades.  Here are some things to consider:

1.    If you think you have been assigned an incorrect grade, you should respectfully ask your professor for an explanation of your grade.   Some will give you the explanation by email.  With others you will have to wait until the beginning of the next semester.   Regardless, you want to understand what happened.  There could have been a mathematical error, your professor could have not recorded a score (I did that once!), or you could have done poorly on the final.    There are specific guidelines to follow at each institution in case you have a dispute that you cannot settle on your own.

 2.   This is a good time to reflect on the previous semester and examine what you did well that you want to continue for the next semester.  What study strategies did you like, what worked well?  What aspects of your time management worked well for you?

3.   In the same vein, what changes do you need to make in your study habits, time management, sleep habits, etc. that will enable you to earn better grades in the next semester.

You want to build on the successes of the previous semester and mold your skills and strategies so that you have even more success in the future.

Have a Happy New Year!  Best wishes for continued success!

How to Study for a Final Exam

Finals are approaching.  Here are some tips for preparing for a major exam:

First – You need to know the following:

• What information will the exam cover?
• What is the format?   Multiple Choice? Long or short essay?  On-line or on paper?
• Do you have all of the class notes and materials that you need to study?
• Are there any things that you do not understand that will be on the exam?

Next – organize the material you need to learn:

• What are the major topics?  How many are there?  Write down these topics either in a list or make a review chart with the topics across the top of the page.
• Go through your material and write down the sub-topics within each major topic.

Finally – Begin to learn each topic. 

• Do one topic a day.  The first day work with one topic. 
• The next day focus on the second topic and review the first.
• The third day, focus on the third topic and review and first and second.
• Continue on until you have covered all of the topics.  Hopefully you still have a few days left before the exam.  Continue to review all of the topics; paying close attention to the one you know the least well each day.
• As you are doing this, be sure to combine information from your textbook and lecture notes.

Here are some specific strategies to use while learning the information:

• Recitation – after reviewing the information, cover it over and restate it in your own words from memory.
• Organize the material into study guides, review charts, time lines, flow charts – whatever format suits the information you need to know.
• Predict exam questions and then answer them.
• Form a study group and either quiz each other or divide up the material and teach each other.
• If quizzes are available on-line or in the textbook, be sure to take those.

Finally – get a good night’s sleep the night before.   Your brain will not function properly if you are tired.

Good luck – but “good study” is better!

After Thanksgiving Break

As you return from Thanksgiving Break and look forward to the end of the semester there are several things to consider:

* Is all of your work complete?  Have you missed any quizzes, exams or projects?  Check your syllabus to be sure.

* What is due between now and final exams?

* When are your final exams?  If you are several on one day, can you make any changes?  Is there a system in place at your school to address this?

* What will the exams cover?  Are they cumulative or on the final unit of the semester?

* What social events are happening?  Which are important and which should you skip in favor of studying?

The semester went by quickly and these final weeks will move even quicker.  Be sure to look at the big picture and manage your time so that you can enjoy the time as well as be successful.

Don’t take too much of a BREAK over Thanksgiving Break

Many of us have one entire week off for Thanksgiving Break.  This is a wonderful time to relax and visit with family and friends.  BUT – it can be harmful for learning.  If you have any work to complete over break, if you have an exam shortly after returning from break, or if you have a difficult class, taking one week off from studying can be disastrous!  Forgetting happens very rapidly, so it is important to spend some time studying over break.  Here are some suggestions:

Plan before you go home when you will study and do any work.   Don’t just think that you will do it when you “have the time.”    Set specific times now.

Write down your plans and tell someone.  That will help keep you accountable.

Consider going to your local library or coffee shop.  Somewhere away from the distractions or home, the TV and you bed.

Review every day.  To prepare for an exam shortly after you return to school, make a study guide or study cards and review for 20 minutes or so every day.   You will be amazed what a difference that makes. 

The above suggestions works for any class that you hope to earn an ‘A’ in.  If you do not review over break you will have to start learning from the beginning when you return to classes.

Keep in mind that there are just a few weeks of classes after break, and then you go into finals!  Be sure you are caught up with your work and studying so that you have plenty of time to prepare for final exams.

Be thankful that you have the opportunity to further your education! 

Happy Thanksgiving!

R-R-R-R-R-R

Here are 6 things beginning with “R” that are important to learning:

Recitation – restate in your own words from memory.   You are practicing recalling the information just as you will on an exam.  Plus, if you can restate something in your own words you truly understand it.

Repetition – Learning does not happen all at once, it takes multiple exposures.

Review Soon After – Go over the information in your lecture notes while it is still fresh and before forgetting starts.  Use this time to be sure the information is clear and correct.

Rest – Sleep is important for effective learning as well as a time for new knowledge to consolidate in your memory.

Re-energize – Keep motivated!  Review your short-term and long-term goals frequently.

Re-organize – Check your calendar, syllabi and schedule daily for exams, due dates, meetings, deadlines, etc.   When reading and studying, but sure that you see the organization of the material you are learning.

Plan Your Work and Work Your Plan

This is one of my husband’s favorite sayings.   While it might be annoying after you have heard it a hundred times (ask our daughters while they were living at home), it contains is a lot of wisdom!

We are slightly past the half-way point of the semester.  Deadlines for long-term projects are looming on the horizon, papers are coming due, mid-term grades have been posted, Thanksgiving break is ahead and then finals week.   It can seem overwhelming!     At my university students also have the added pressure of registering for spring and summer classes.

One strategy is to take some time to look at the remainder of the semester as a whole.   Get a calendar and write down what assignments are due and when, the dates of all exams, and the dates for Thanksgiving break and finals week.  Then, plan out when you will do the work needed for each.    If you have to work over a few weekends, that is okay!    Hard work is very satisfying when you can see that the end it in sight!   And it is a lot less stressful when you have a plan to get everything done.

So now here comes my husband’s saying.  You have done the first part; all you have left to do is the second.

Plan your work and work your plan!

Evaluating and Reacting to Mid-term Grades

At my institution mid-term grades will be available October 23.  Professors only have to enter D and F grades – some do this, some enter all grades, and some forget completely.

You should have a general idea of how you are doing.  If you do not get a mid-term grade in the course but feel you are not doing well, you should still go and speak with the professor.

If you do get a low mid-term grade - speak with the professor.

Here is what you want to know:

• Is there a chance for me to pass?
• What do I have to do to pass?  What grades do I need to earn for the remainder of the semester.
• Explain how you have been preparing for class and ask for suggestions for improvements.
• Even though I am not a fan of extra credit, you have to ask if there is any available!

 Even if you are doing well (but not at the A level) this is the time to reflect on how you are studying and preparing and see if you can make some changes.   For you, it is important to know how close you are to the next grade level.  Is there a chance to move up?  Again, explain how you have been preparing for class and ask for suggestions for improvements.

Remember - there is no “Good-grade Fairy” who will “bonk” you on the head with her wand and magically raise your grade!  You have to do it yourself!