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Strategies for College Success

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Title: Strategies for College Success


1
Strategies for College Success
  • University Learning Center
  • University of Arizona

2
Introduction
  • The purpose of this course is to expose you to
    various strategies and techniques that will
    enable you to become a successful student in the
    postsecondary environment

3
Course Contents
  • Section 1 Self-assessment and Self-management
  • Steps in Successful Goal Setting and Achievement
  • Learning Styles
  • Anxiety/Stress Management

4
Course Contents
  • Section 2 Study Skills Development
  • Time Management
  • Memory Techniques
  • Methods of Reading College Textbooks
  • Note Taking Strategies
  • Exam Preparation Tips
  • Test Taking Strategies
  • Internet Resources

5
Section 1 Self-assessment and Self-management
6
Lesson 1 Goal Setting and Achievement
  • What well be covering
  • characteristics of goals
  • how to break down goals
  • where goal setting can go wrong

7
Goals should be...
  • Realistic
  • The goals of winning a marathon after two weeks
    of training is an unrealistic goal. Use what
    youve accomplished in the past to set a
    reasonable goal for the future.

8
Goals should be...
  • Self-chosen
  • You are much more likely to achieve a goal that
    you set for yourself than one that has been set
    for you

9
Goals should be...
  • Moderately difficult
  • A goal that is too hard or too easy will decrease
    your motivation and wont show you what youre
    really capable of accomplishing
  • Use what youve accomplished in the past as a
    guide

10
Goals should be...
  • Specific
  • For example, getting an A in Math and a B in
    Geography is a lot more specific than just saying
    that you would like to get good grades this
    semester

11
Goals should be...
  • Measurable
  • Youre more likely to give up if you cant see
    any progress toward your goal
  • For example, getting an A on your midterm is
    measurable progress toward getting an A in the
    class.

12
Goals should be...
  • Positive
  • Say what you do want to accomplish instead of
    what you dont want to do.
  • For example, try I will attend all classes,
    instead of I wont skip any classes.

13
Goals should be...
  • Flexible
  • If it looks like you cant reach your original
    goal, be flexible and redraw your plan

14
Goals should be...
  • Associated with a deadline
  • When do you plan on accomplishing this goal, in a
    month, day, or year?

15
Goals should be...
  • Written down
  • It will serve as a better reminder to keep you
    motivated

16
Where goal setting can go wrong
  • When goal setting is disorganized
  • For example, keep personal and academic goals
    separate

17
Where goal setting can go wrong
  • When goals are unrealistic
  • For example, becoming a company CEO immediately
    after graduation is an unrealistic goal

18
Where goal setting can go wrong
  • When you set goals that are beyond your control
  • For example, winning the lottery is definitely
    beyond your control

19
Where goal setting can go wrong
  • When goals are vague
  • For example, becoming successful or becoming a
    better student are not clear goals to work
    toward.

20
Where goal setting can go wrong
  • When you set too many goals
  • For example, at any one time you should focus on
    achieving only three or four goals

21
How to break down and achieve goals
  • see example

22
Summary
  • Goals with certain characteristics will enable
    you to be more successful in goal setting and
    achievement.
  • Breaking down large goals into parts will help
    you to see what steps you will need to complete
    on the way to accomplishing your goal

23
Homework assignment Apply what youve learned
  • set an academic or personal goal
  • select one personal or academic long-term goal
    and break it down to the steps you will need to
    achieve in the next year, next 6 months, next
    month, next week, and tomorrow

24
Lesson 2 Learning Styles
  • What well be covering
  • What is a learning style?
  • How you develop a learning style?
  • Whats your learning style?
  • How information on your learning style can help
    to improve your learning

25
What is a learning style?
  • an individuals characteristic and preferred way
    of gathering, interpreting, organizing and
    thinking about information. Your style includes
    the type of environments you like to learn in,
    your preferences for working with others, and the
    way you perceive information.
  • no single style of learning has been shown to be
    better than any other

26
How do you develop a learning style?
  • learning styles develop over time as a result of
    an individuals inherent preferences and
    experience with his/her environment
  • they can and do change over time

27
How can information about learning styles improve
your learning?
  • You may be more satisfied and more productive if
    you are studying with methods compatible with
    your style. Right now you may be studying with
    methods incompatible with your style and not know
    it.
  • You can experiment with building up
    less-preferred styles so that you can be equally
    comfortable with different tasks and in different
    learning environments.

28
In class assignment Whats your learning style?
  • Complete the learning style assessment
  • View Suggestions for Studying and Learning based
    on learning style

29
Summary
  • Your learning style influences the way that you
    perceive and process information. By knowing your
    learning style, you can employ methods and
    strategies to make studying and learning more
    productive. Without this information, you may
    make studying and learning more difficult for
    yourself without even realizing it.

30
Homework assignment Apply what youve learned
  • Write full description of how you like to learn
  • Answer the following questions How do I learn
    best?, What time of day do I learn best?, What
    kind of environment do I learn best in?, Do I
    learn better alone or with others?
  • What study strategies are (or would be)
    particularly helpful for you?
  • How will you be changing your study methods now
    that you are aware of your learning style?

31
Lesson 3 Anxiety/Stress Management
  • What well cover
  • What is stress?
  • What causes stress?
  • Strategies to reduce stress
  • Strategies for dealing with stress

32
What is stress?
  • Stress is the way that you react physically,
    mentally and emotionally to various conditions,
    changes and demands in your life.
  • Many students experience varying levels of stress
    each semester.
  • High levels of stress can affect your physical
    and mental well-being and academic performance.

33
Symptoms of stress
  • headaches
  • nervous stomach
  • change in appetite
  • rapid breathing
  • rapid heart rate
  • sweaty palms
  • irritability
  • anxiety
  • fatigue
  • insomnia
  • dissatisfaction
  • anger
  • depression
  • inability to concentrate

34
In-Class Assignment Reflect on a stressful
situation
  • Write a brief description of a recent situation
    that caused you stress. Summarize your mental,
    emotional and physical states at the time.

35
What causes stress?
  • Anxiety uneasiness and distress about future
    uncertainties

36
What causes stress?
  • Changes in lifes expectations or demands
  • Ex. Marriage, divorce, pregnancy, illness, bills,
    increasing demands of a university course load

37
What causes stress?
  • Disorganization feeling unprepared and powerless

38
What causes stress?
  • Physical Constraints
  • Ex. Physical exhaustion, lack of good exercise
    and diet strategies

39
What causes stress?
  • Time constraints multiple projects and deadlines

40
In-Class Assignment Self-assessment
  • Take the anxiety/stress assessment
  • Use the results of this assessment to pinpoint
    specific causes of stress in your life. What (if
    any) control do you have over these areas of your
    life?
  • Make a list of things that you can do to lessen
    your stress.

41
Strategies to reduce stress
  • Take control- manage your time instead of letting
    it manage you. Use a to-do list, follow a written
    plan, set goals and follow through.
  • Procrastination is a major cause of stress. Make
    a realistic list of things you need to do each
    day. Start doing the most important things first.
    That way, even if you dont finish the list, you
    get the most important things done.

42
Strategies to reduce stress
  • Take a break
  • Sometimes it is better to get away from the
    situation for a short time- take a brisk walk,
    focus on pleasant thoughts. Then, go back to the
    task feeling refreshed and ready to go tackle
    whatever it is you have to do.

43
Strategies to reduce stress
  • Work on your attitude
  • Put things into perspective- try not to take
    yourself so seriously.
  • Think positive- If you think you will fail, or
    think you will succeed, you are probably right.
    --Henry Ford

44
Strategies to reduce stress
  • Get help
  • See your instructor, go to tutoring, and
    participate in study groups. See how to form a
    study group.
  • Keep in touch with friends and family, and
    develop a support group.

45
Strategies to reduce stress
  • Physical stress busters
  • eat right, exercise regularly and get plenty of
    rest

46
Strategies to reduce stress
  • Practice, practice, practice
  • Build your confidence- do extra math problems,
    practice test-taking at home, rehearse your
    speech a couple of times before the presentation

47
In-class assignment Self-reflection
  • Go back to the stressful incident that you
    described in the first part of the lesson and
    list some strategies for dealing with the
    situation, and some things you could have done to
    prevent it from being stressful. Also list some
    ways you can avoid a reoccurrence of such a
    situation in the future.

48
Strategies for dealing with stress
  • no one can avoid stress all the time. In a
    stressful situation, try these tips to help you
    overcome the effects of stress.

49
Strategies for dealing with stress
  • Join the crowd
  • Even though you may think you are the only person
    in the world who is experiencing stress, the fact
    is that everyone experiences it sometime.

50
Strategies for dealing with stress
  • Talk to someone
  • Find someone you trust, discuss the problems and
    look for solutions

51
Strategies for dealing with stress
  • Put it in perspective
  • Chances are, this is only one small part of the
    rest of your life

52
Strategies for dealing with stress
  • Visualize
  • Sit comfortably and think of a favorite place.
    Imagine yourself in a successful situation.

53
Strategies for dealing with stress
  • Breathe
  • Sit quietly, and breathe deeply and slowly.
    Continue for five or six breaths. It is calming
    and the extra dose of oxygen increases the
    brains thinking ability.

54
Strategies for dealing with stress
  • Its all in your head... and shoulders
  • Roll your head loosely in a wide circle. Repeat
    five times. Tighten right shoulder and raise it
    as far up as possible and hold, then relax
    slowly. Repeat with left shoulder. Repeat with
    both shoulders.

55
Strategies for dealing with stress
  • Go on a diet
  • Eating light and avoiding sugars can help with
    performance and lessen stress. In a stressful
    situation like an exam, have a light meal of
    mostly protein. Remember, a heavy high
    carbohydrate meal can put you to sleep.

56
Strategies for dealing with stress
  • Lighten up
  • Take responsibility for your feelings. When you
    get angry, take a break and cool down before you
    act.

57
Strategies for dealing with stress
  • Use it
  • A little stress is a good thing- athletes use it
    to increase performance. If you are experiencing
    a small amount of anxiety, it can help to keep
    you active and alert. Use it to increase your
    performance.

58
Summary
  • Stress is mental, emotional and physical tension,
    strain, and/or distress
  • The signs of stress are classic. You may get a
    headache, stiff neck, backache, become irritable,
    lose your temper, and you may feel exhausted and
    find it hard to concentrate.
  • When these symptoms appear, recognize them as
    signs of stress and find a way to deal with them.
    Just knowing why youre feeling the way that you
    are may be the first step in coping with the
    problem.

59
Homework assignment Apply what youve learned
  • Write about a situation where you would normally
    experience a high level of stress, (i.e. taking a
    test, giving a presentation, etc). Is the stress
    a bad thing? Can is be used to increase your
    performance? How would you do this? What coping
    strategies can you use to help you deal with the
    situation?

60
Section 2 Study skills development
61
Lesson 4Time Management
  • What well be covering
  • advantages to good time management
  • assess your time management skills
  • create your ultimate schedule
  • making to-do lists

62
Time Management
  • Why is time management important?
  • one of the most important skills for beginning
    college students
  • being able to accomplish your goals depends, in
    part, on your ability to make the most efficient
    use of the time that you have
  • good time management skills can actually save you
    time

63
In class assignment Assess your time management
skills
  • Complete the Are You Using Your Time Wisely
    assessment
  • What areas of time management are you strong in?
  • What areas could you improve?

64
Time Management Tips
  • Monitor your time
  • If you feel like you dont have enough time,
    spend a few days monitoring your time to see
    exactly how it is spent
  • download Where Does the Time Go?

65
Time Management Tips
  • Make a daily to-do list

66
Steps to making to-do lists
  • Write a list of activities that you want or need
    to accomplish today
  • Remember to prioritize and list the most
    important tasks first
  • Check to see if there are any activities that you
    can accomplish at the same time

67
Steps to making to-do lists (cont.)
  • Write down how long you anticipate it will take
    you to get the task done
  • Write down when you will start each activity

68
Making to-do lists Know your options
  • Do it now- the most important things with
    approaching deadlines need to be done first
  • Schedule it- you can break up large tasks into
    smaller parts and schedule each part
  • Ask someone else to do it- in a study group or
    team, each person can be responsible for a
    portion of the project
  • Trade tasks- for example, you run the errands
    while your roommate cleans the apartment

69
In class assignment Practice making a to-do list
  • view a sample to-do list
  • think of the things that you would like to
    accomplish for tomorrow
  • use the steps we discussed as a guide in creating
    your list

70
Time Management Tips
  • Use a planner
  • a planner can be an effective and easy way to
    help you organize your time
  • look at a number of different kinds of planners
    before you select one- some will help you more
    than others
  • choose one that is easy to carry with you
  • commit to checking/updating it daily
  • try to include your daily to-do list in your
    planner

71
Time Management Tips
  • Make a long-term calendar

72
In class assignment Make a long-term calendar
  • Download the Semester-on-a-Page
  • write in important dates like exams and due dates
  • post it where you can see it, like by the phone
    or on the refrigerator

73
Time Management Tips
  • Try to be flexible
  • Dont overload yourself. Always leave some
    free-time for some last-minute additions

74
Time Management Tips
  • Avoid marathon study sessions
  • a couple of hours each day will help you to
    remember more than eight hours at once
  • taking the time to schedule study time will help
    you to avoid procrastination and reduce stress
  • remember to schedule study time over 5-7 days
    instead of packing it all into one or two days

75
Time Management Tips
  • Use waiting time
  • Waiting time is the time you spend in between
    meetings, classes, events, etc.

76
In class assignment How to effectively use wait
time
  • One of the best ways to get more out of your day
    is to use waiting time
  • Create a list of 5 things that you can do in 10
    minutes
  • Create a list of 5 things that you can do in 20
    minutes

77
Time Management Tips
  • Learn to say no
  • Examples of good ways to say no
  • Instead of I really should study, say You
    caught me in the middle of something important,
    Ill call you later.
  • I cant go the movies tonight, but I can go on
    Saturday.
  • Before I say yes, let me check my planner and
    get back to you.

78
Understanding procrastination
  • When do you procrastinate?
  • low interest or motivation
  • large tasks
  • What happens when you procrastinate
  • increase stress
  • poorer performance

79
Reducing procrastination
  • Break tasks into smaller, more manageable tasks
  • for example, writing a paper can be broken down
    into getting references, reading reference,
    writing an outline, creating a rough draft and
    completing the final copy
  • When given an assignment, do some work on it
    right away
  • Spend some time studying each day
  • Reward yourself along the way

80
The Ultimate Schedule
  • Download the sample Ultimate Schedule

81
The Ultimate Schedule
  • First, block off time for your FIXED activities
  • class
  • work
  • meetings

82
The Ultimate Schedule
  • Second, block off time for your RITUAL activities
  • meals
  • travel/commute
  • sleep
  • grooming

83
The Ultimate Schedule
  • Third, block off time for your PRIORITY
    activities
  • studying
  • try to schedule 2 hours of study time for each
    hour spent in class
  • exercising

84
The Ultimate Schedule
  • Your FREE time is the time that remains, use it
    for
  • watching television
  • shopping
  • socializing

85
Summary
  • As time management skills develop, your stress
    and anxiety levels will go down and productivity
    will go up
  • Time management tools which include day planners,
    to-do lists, weekly and long-term calendars will
    increase organization and help eliminate
    procrastination

86
Homework assignment Apply what youve learned
  • Download the Weekly Schedule Sheet
  • Using the steps for creating the Ultimate
    Schedule, design your ultimate schedule

87
Lesson 4 Memory Techniques
  • What well be covering
  • things that can effect your ability to remember
    something
  • basic memory tips
  • strategies to improve your memory

88
What can effect your ability to remember
something?
  • distractions
  • time of day
  • your comfort level
  • stress
  • your interest in the material
  • your level of motivation

89
Thirteen memory tips
  • Learn from general to specific
  • Before learning something new, get a general
    overview to use as a framework on which to hang
    specific details

90
Thirteen memory tips
  • Make it meaningful
  • Why is this information relevant? What is the
    value in knowing this?
  • If you dont see the value-
  • Find it! What kinds of situations could you be
    in that you would need this information?
  • Use this as an opportunity to use strategies that
    will make you a better student

91
Thirteen memory tips
  • Create associations
  • Relate what youre learning to something that
    you already know
  • Try using analogies and metaphors

92
Thirteen memory tips
  • Learn actively
  • Manipulate or change the information in some way
  • Try creating a mind map, diagram, pictures, or
    note cards
  • Always put information that youre trying to
    learn into your own words

93
Thirteen memory tips
  • Reduce distractions
  • Turn off music, phone, television

94
Thirteen memory tips
  • Monitor what youve learned
  • Check yourself to make sure that youre learning
  • Try self-testing yourself using the review
    questions at the end of the chapter or make up
    your own

95
Thirteen memory tips
  • Check your attitude and anxiety
  • Find yourself thinking how much you hate the
    course or instructor? Know when your attitudes
    and/or anxiety are inhibiting learning and try to
    address them

96
Thirteen memory tips
  • Turn abstract ideas into concrete examples

97
Thirteen memory tips
  • Distribute learning
  • Use many short sessions for studying instead of
    one long session

98
Thirteen memory tips
  • Remember something else
  • When you get stuck and cant remember something,
    try to remember something that is related to it
    or what you were doing at the time that you
    learned it.

99
Thirteen memory tips
  • Stay away from studying similar topics at the
    same time to avoid confusion

100
Thirteen memory tips
  • Use mnemonics, or memory techniques
  • Try creating a song or rhyme to help you remember
  • Use acronyms

101
Thirteen memory tips
  • Avoid studying material in the same sequence
  • Try starting at the end or middle of the material

102
Summary
  • By using memory techniques you can take steps to
    learn and remember information more quickly and
    effectively
  • Most memory techniques require that you change or
    organize the information that you need to learn.
    Repeated reading of text and notes is often not
    enough.

103
Homework assignment Apply what youve learned
  • Pick five concepts that you will be required to
    know in a class
  • Apply any memory technique that weve discussed
    to each concept

104
Lesson 5 Note taking
  • What well be covering
  • what to do before, during, and after class
  • picking out main points in a lecture
  • the Cornell Method
  • mind mapping

105
What to do before class
  • Pick the right notebook
  • there are numerous advantages to picking a 3-ring
    binder
  • handouts can be inserted into the relevant
    sections
  • pages of notes can be removed and replaced
  • dividers can be used to separate sections or
    topics

106
What to do before class
  • Read your textbook
  • reading your textbook can help you to understand
    what is being discussed in lecture

107
What to do before class
  • Skim the notes from the last class
  • this will refresh your memory and focus you for
    the next lesson

108
What to do before class
  • Make a commitment to attend all classes
  • You may be getting only a partial set of notes if
    you copy from other students
  • Note taking is a skill and you may be copying
    from someone who is a poor note taker and not
    realize it

109
What to do during class
  • Try to sit in the front, center portion of the
    classroom
  • fewer distractions
  • can see and hear better
  • less likely to doze off

110
What to do during class
  • You will need to identify the visual and verbal
    cues given by the professor that indicate an
    important topic is being addressed
  • examples of visual cues gesturing, writing on
    board, underlining
  • examples of verbal cues repetition, summaries,
    listing

111
Identifying important points
  • Think of three additional verbal cues that would
    indicate an important point
  • Think of three additional visual cues that would
    indicate an important point

112
What to do during class
  • Use a method of note taking
  • Use Cornell Method
  • Create Mind maps

113
The Cornell Method
  • Split page method of note taking
  • Allows space for possible exam questions
  • Allows space for student reflections and summary
  • Good for self-testing

114
Practice using the Cornell Method
  • Download a sample page of notes using the Cornell
    Method
  • Recopy a page of your notes using the Cornell
    Method

115
Mind Mapping
  • Pictorial representation of ideas
  • Good for visual learners
  • Shows how topics and ideas are related
  • Uses both sides of your brain

116
Steps to mind mapping
  • Identify the topic of the lecture or reading,
    place in the center and circle it
  • Branch out the main ideas, each stemming from the
    main topic
  • From each branch, mark key words and examples
  • Dont be afraid to personalize it with pictures
    or symbols

117
Mind Mapping Practice
  • Download a sample mind map
  • Practice creating a mind map

118
What to do during class
  • Identify possible exam questions
  • Use them to self-test yourself later

119
What to do after class
  • Review your notes within 24 hours
  • Are they complete?
  • Do they make sense?

120
What to do after class
  • Identify any questions that you may have and find
    the answers
  • Re-copy or re-organize if necessary

121
Note Taking Practice
  • Watch this short lecture and use the note taking
    strategies we discussed

122
Summary
  • Class notes will be a better study tool for you
    if they have the proper content (the main points
    of a lecture) and are organized in a way that
    makes sense. Try using the methods that we
    discussed to accomplish those two crucial aspects
    of note taking.

123
Lesson 6 Reading Textbooks
  • What well be covering
  • previewing
  • annotating

124
Why preview?
  • improves concentration, memory, and understanding
  • only takes 5 minutes to preview an entire chapter
  • if you dont have enough time to read before
    class, previewing may give you enough information
    to understand what is being discussed

125
Steps to previewing material
  • (1) Read the chapter title
  • The title announces the topic or subject. Try to
    remember what you already know about the topic.

126
Steps to previewing material
  • (2) Read the introduction or first paragraph
  • This is a lead-in to the material and will often
    itemize what the chapter will cover. If it is
    long, read only the first 5 or 6 lines.

127
Steps to previewing material
  • (3) Read the closing paragraph or chapter summary
  • These sections are often used to draw conclusions
    based on the facts that have already been
    presented or to restate key ideas.

128
Steps to previewing material
  • (4) Read questions or vocabulary at the end of
    the chapter
  • This section is used to test your knowledge of
    the material. Reading them beforehand alerts you
    to what is most important within the chapter.

129
Steps to previewing material
  • (5) Read each boldface heading
  • Headings separate chapters into main divisions
    and indicate important concepts. By looking at
    these headings, you can detect the organization
    of the chapter and the general approach of the
    author.

130
Steps to previewing material
  • (6) Look at any pictures, graphs, or charts
  • Pictures, illustrations, or captions may help you
    clarify ideas and give direction to your thinking.

131
Why annotate?
  • Have you ever felt that youve been reading for
    hours and cant remember what youve read?
  • annotating can keep you focused
  • annotations tell you WHY important points are
    important
  • download a sample page of annotated text

132
Steps to Annotating Text
  • First, preview a chapter or subunit of text
  • Next, read one or more paragraphs. Then stop
    (the amount will vary, so judge according to your
    texts difficulty and organization).

133
Steps to Annotating Text
  • After reading, go back and underline the key
    word, phrase, or idea to which your annotation
    will refer.
  • These key ideas often occur as definitions,
    examples, lists, causes/effects, characteristics,
    similarities/differences, and names/dates.

134
Steps to Annotating Text
  • Check your annotations to be sure that they make
    sense and that you are not merely copying the
    text into the margins.
  • In order to be most effective, your annotations
    must be in your own words, except in the case of
    technical definitions.

135
Steps to Annotating Text
  • If you have no annotating, you should have no
    underlining.

136
Steps to Annotating Text
  • Go on to the next paragraph or section.
    Remember, not every section of text will have a
    key concept that should be annotated, but every
    page or section usually does.

137
Summary
  • Reading your text numerous times is often not
    enough to insure that you have understood and
    retained the information covered.
  • You must actively participate in the reading
    process by thinking about what you already know,
    identifying topics that you dont understand and
    picking out important points that are likely to
    be on a test.

138
Homework assignment Apply what youve learned
  • download text

139
Lesson 7 Exam Preparation
  • What well be covering
  • key elements of exam preparation
  • creating and using note cards
  • the Eight-day study plan

140
What problems are you currently having with
preparing for exams?
  • Take a moment to complete Exam Prep A Self
    Check
  • What areas could you improve on?

141
Key elements of exam preparation
  • Know what the exam will cover
  • If you dont know, then ask. Visit instructors
    office hours or ask over e-mail.

142
Key elements of exam preparation
  • Know what type of exam will be given
  • Match the method of study to the kind of exam you
    will be given
  • (hint you wouldnt use note cards to study for
    an essay exam)

143
Key elements of exam preparation
  • Avoid procrastination
  • If you wait until the last-minute to study,
    youll remember less and stress more

144
Key elements of exam preparation
  • Use memory techniques
  • Remember the techniques we discussed?

145
Key elements of exam preparation
  • Make sure youve taken adequate notes and read
    the text
  • Get any notes that youve missed

146
Key elements of exam preparation
  • Have the proper attitude

147
Key elements of exam preparation
  • Monitor your anxiety level
  • A little anxiety is good, but a lot will hurt
    your performance
  • Remember what we talked about in the stress
    management lesson?

148
Key elements of exam preparation
  • Dont be afraid to ask questions
  • Ask during class, over e-mail, at tutoring and in
    your study group

149
Key elements of exam preparation
  • Look for (or create) practice tests and questions

150
Creating and Using Note Cards
  • When note cards are a good idea
  • when you are a visual learner
  • when you will be given an objective test

151
Creating and Using Note Cards
  • Using them the right way
  • frequently shuffle the cards to keep from
    learning them in order
  • use only one concept per card- they arent
    designed to hold more
  • use your own words- by putting concepts in your
    own words, youre actively learning while you
    create them
  • take out the ones you know until the final
    review- dont waste your time studying things you
    already know

152
The Eight Day Study Plan
  • download the Eight-Day Study Plan

153
Summary
  • Re-reading your text and notes is often not
    enough to prepare you for an exam. You will need
    to have good study strategies and a good study
    plan.
  • Its also important that you know where to go for
    additional help, including instructor office
    hours, tutoring centers and preceptors.

154
Homework assignment Apply what youve learned
  • Complete the Eight-Day Study Plan for one of your
    classes
  • Download the Eight-Day Study Plan Sheet

155
Lesson 8Test Taking Strategies
  • What well be covering
  • general test taking strategies
  • how to take different kinds of tests
  • learning from your mistakes
  • what to do when you dont know the answer

156
General test-taking strategies
  • Try to ignore other test takers (before and
    during the test)
  • Sit in your usual seat, if possible
  • Bring all necessary materials

157
General test-taking strategies
  • Listen carefully to directions
  • If something is vague or hard to read, stop and
    ask the instructor for clarification
  • Answer the easiest questions first, mark and
    postpone the harder questions
  • Change your answer only if youre absolutely sure
    the second answer is correct

158
General test-taking strategies
  • Look over the test and budget your time
    accordingly
  • Leave time to review your work

159
Suggestions for objective tests
  • Circle or underline clue words like all, every,
    none, always, etc.
  • Watch for negatives

160
Suggestions for answering essay questions
  • use pencil or erasable pen
  • read the questions carefully and underline key
    words
  • create an outline in the margin of what youd
    like to say
  • begin your answer by rephrasing the question
  • in the next sentence announce what youll be
    saying in the rest of your answer
  • devote a paragraph to each of the main points

161
Suggestions for answering essay questions
  • save time to check for the following
  • completeness and clarity
  • punctuation and word usage
  • spelling
  • neatness
  • did you answer the question?

162
Suggestions for computational exams
  • as soon as you receive your test, jot down any
    formulas you needed to memorize
  • try drawing a picture if youre stuck
  • try to estimate the answer

163
After the test..learning from your mistakes
  • dont just look at WHAT you missed, but look at
    WHY you missed it!
  • mastery of information you didnt study properly
    and dont know the material
  • thinking gap you misunderstood what you were
    being asked
  • method of test taking you made some bad mistakes
    like reading too quickly and missing key words
  • reaction to situation test anxiety got the
    better of you

164
Correcting mastery of information mistakes
  • Go back and look at how you studied. What do you
    need to change? Did you give yourself enough
    time? Are there other study strategies that would
    work better?

165
Correcting thinking gap mistakes
  • Next time, raise your hand and ask your professor
    or t.a. to rephrase the question. Keep asking
    until you feel that you fully understand the
    question.

166
Correcting method of test taking mistakes
  • Read/listen to the directions carefully
  • Force yourself to slow down and read the
    questions carefully
  • Identify the key words in the questions
  • Read all answers before you select one

167
Stress reduction and management
  • have a study plan
  • get some exercise
  • proper nutrition
  • keep a positive attitude
  • get enough rest

168
What can you do when you dont know the answer?
  • look for wording in the question that may give
    you an idea
  • see if the answer appears somewhere else in the
    exam
  • try to eliminate some answers before guessing
  • plug in numbers to see if they generate a
    possible solution

169
Summary
  • You should approach different kinds of tests in
    different ways. Even if you dont know the
    answer, effective test-taking strategies can
    increase your chances of guessing it.
  • If you are not getting the grades that you
    expected, check to see where you are making
    mistakes.

170
Homework assignment Apply what youve learned
  • get a copy of a test that youve already taken
  • code your mistakes using the categories weve
    discussed
  • write a plan of how you plan to address these
    mistakes in the future

171
Lesson 9 Internet Resources
  • What well be covering
  • how to conduct a search
  • some of our favorite sites

172
How to conduct a search
173
Some of our favorite sites
174
Homework assignment Apply what youve learned
  • Pick five course topics and find a related
    website information for each. Make sure to write
    down the web address for each.
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