‘Twas the week before finals and all through the dorms….

One week of classes and then finals’ week.  What should you do to have a successful end of the semester?

Check your finals schedule.  At most institutions it is different than the weekly class schedule.  (While you are at it, double check the location.)  Keep in mind that many professors will not remind you, they expect that you will find this information yourself.

Know the following information for each exam:

Information to be covered

Type of exam – essay, multiple choice, short answer, combination

What your estimated grade is going into the exam?  If you are on the border between two grades, that will motivate you to put extra effort into that course.

Plan your study schedule.  Start to prepare NOW.  This is not the weekend to relax – this weekend is important to be sure that you are ready for each exam.

Study for each exam several days in advance.  Remember that learning needs to be spread out and given time to consolidate in your long-term memory.   This means that you will be studying several subjects in one day, but that is fine. 

As you study in depth, make review charts for each subject with the important information and sub-points included.   As you go along, these then will become your major study material with the option of going back into the book or notes to review the minor details.

The last subject you should study each night is the first exam you have the next day. 

Be sure to take the supplies you need to the exam – several pens, pencils, book or notes if the exam is open book.

There will be a policy at your school about what to do if you have too many exams in one day.  At my university students don’t have to take more than 3 in one day.  There are procedures in place identifying which professor must make accommodations.

Work hard and good luck!!  You can do it!!

Strategies for Multiple Choice Exams

As I stated in the last post, there is no substitute for studying and knowing the correct answer.   But having some test-taking strategies definitely can help.  Here are some tips:

• Read the prompt carefully.  Be sure you know what it is asking.

• It does not work to think that you will “recognize” the answer for several reasons:

·    The information will be worded differently than your lecture notes and the textbook.  It also probably will be in a different order than your lecture notes.

·        There are almost no “give away” answer options.  All of the possible answers  are from somewhere in the unit, they just do not pertain to the question you are answering.

• Read ALL of the options before making a choice.  There may be several possibilities, but you want the BEST one.

• Use process of elimination. 

• Be careful and slow down if the prompt has the word NOT or EXCEPT.  This changes the question.  In some cases you are now looking for the WRONG answer.

• The old adage of “when in doubt chose C” does not work.  The professors have heard it also.

• Sometimes it is true that the longest answer is the correct one.

• Be sure the answer grammatically fits with the prompt.

• If you do not know an answer, you can skip it and keep the question in your mind.  It is very possible that a wrong answer later on will trigger your memory for the correct answer to the one you skipped.  (Just be careful to be on the correct number on the scantron sheet.   Getting off my one number is disastrous!!)

Good luck!  But remember - hard work beats luck!!!

Successful Essay Exam Answers

There is no substitute for knowing the correct answer, but you still have to communicate that answer to your professor so that they know that you know!!!  Here are some tips:

• Read the ENTIRE question.
• Pause and think about the answer.
• Mark up the questions.  Number the parts, underline important words.
• Consider making a brief outline before starting to write.
• If it is a multiple part question, answer each part in order.
• Use signal words to help the professor follow along.  If there are three parts, use words like “first, second, third.”   If they ask for examples to prove your point, start the sentence with “For example.”
• Restate the question in your first sentence to keep your answer directed and on topic.
• If you have time, reread your answer.  Be sure that it makes sense.  Put yourself in the place of the professor and see if it is clear.
• Keep in mind that you are the writer and your job is to be clear for the reader.   Don’t assume the reader/professor will “know what you mean” because they obviously know the material.  Your job is to clearly explain the information and to demonstrate how well you do know the material.

Next week:  Multiple Choice exam strategies

Students Favorite Strategy - Reviewing Lecture Notes After Class

I am reading my students’ final papers in a learning strategies course and the one strategy that is mentioned over and over is to review lecture notes as soon as possible after class, at least before the next class meeting.  Students are reporting that doing so makes a major improvement in their learning and retention of the information.  Here are some things to do when you review your notes:

•  Make sure they are clear and understandable.   Add information if needed.

•  Make any corrections needed.

•  Add important or clarifying information from the textbook.

•  After reading them, use chunking and recitation – review one topic, cover the information and see how much you can remember, then check yourself.   Then move on to the next topic.

•  If there is some information that is particularly difficult, turn it into a study guide.

•  THEN – at least once a week review all of the notes that will be on the next test.

It is also helpful to do a quick review of the previous lecture notes before the next class begins.

Try it!  You will find a major difference in your learning and then your grades!!

Don't Succumb to Spring Fever!

At last – the weather is getting warmer and the days sunnier (at least here in Indiana, Pennsylvania, northeast of Pittsburgh, PA).  It is amazing how quickly students transitioned from heavy coats, scarves and hats to shorts and flip-flops.   However, with just a few weeks left in the semester, there is no time for spring fever.   Here is what you can do to still enjoy the nice weather but not fall behind:

Keep up with your time management.   Write down everything you have to do and plan when you will do it.

Work ahead (especially on a rainy day) so that when there is a particularly nice day you have some extra time to enjoy it.

If you can find an isolated spot, study outside.  Just be sure you are away from distractions.

Take your exercise outside – run, walk, play a game.

Keep your eye on the prize!  The important thing is to finish the semester strong, not to be outside with your friends.

Enjoy – and continue to work hard!