This is the time of the semester when you should start
thinking about your final exams. At my
institution we have one more week of classes and at many others finals are next
week. Here are some things to consider:
Exactly when are the exams scheduled? Is the exam schedule completely different
than the class schedule or are exams scheduled around the regular class times?
Where will the exam be held?
My institution used to hold “Block Exams” where everyone in the same course
with the same professor would meet in a large auditorium and take the exam together. This was unnerving for some students, so I
suggested that they go and study in that location a day or so before the exam.
Do you have several in one day? There may be a procedure at your institution
to help you space them out more. Ask!
What will each exam cover?
Is it on the last unit of the course or cumulative?
Do you have all of the material you need? If you missed a class be sure to get the notes
from a reliable student. (Preferably
someone earning an ‘A’ in the course!)
I suggest you rewrite the notes in your own style and supplement the information
with material from the textbook.
Changing from your style of notes to something different in the middle
of a topic will throw you off.And perhaps most important – When will you start to study? (And the answer is NOT the night before so it is fresh in your mind!) You want to space out your reviewing and learning so that the information is solidly in your memory and easy to retrieve. This means you will start to review at least one week before the exam.
Begin to look ahead to final exams now and study. The next blog will have specific strategies
you can use to prepare for a successful exam week. End
the semester strong!
*****First Semester Success: Learning Strategies and Motivation for Your First Semester (or Any Semester) of College, by Dr. Arden B. Hamer, is available at amazon.com, wordassociation.com and barnesandnoble.com. Click on the upper right link.
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