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!

Studying for Mid Term Exams

We are nearing the midpoint of the semester and exam dates are starting to pile up.  So what is the best way to study for an exam?

Start with the idea that you have been learning all along.   When you reviewed your notes after each class (you have been doing this, right?) you started the learning process.  Then, when you reviewed all of the notes for the class once or twice a week you kept that information fresh in your memory.  Now it is time to look at the big picture and review for the exam.  Here are some ideas:

Start one week before the exam.  List all of the topics to be covered.  Then do more than one or all of the following:

On day one, study the first topic.

On day two, study the second topic and review the first.

On day three, study the third topic and review the first and second.

Repeat until all topics have been studied and reviewed several times.  Continue to review until the day of the exam.

Make a large review chart with all of the topics and fill in the details.  Then use recitation to learn and review until the exam.

Make a practice exam, wait a few days and then take the exam.

If it is an essay exam, predict questions and write out the answers.

Get together with some friends and quiz each other.

Use recitation when studying so that you are practicing recalling the information as you will on the exam.

Get a good night’s sleep!

But what if you have not been studying and learning all along?   You are in trouble, but here are some ideas:

Identify the main ideas and make a review chart as above.   Then use recitation to practice recalling the information.

Go over all of the notes using recitation.

There is no time to reread the book, but look at the headings, any learning objectives and practice questions.

Think about previous exams and predict questions for this exam.  Then answer the questions.

Get a good night’s sleep!!

AND – after the exam, evaluate your preparation and make any necessary changes!