Title: Strategies for College Success
1Strategies for College Success
- University Learning Center
- University of Arizona
2Introduction
- 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
3Course Contents
- Section 1 Self-assessment and Self-management
- Steps in Successful Goal Setting and Achievement
- Learning Styles
- Anxiety/Stress Management
4Course 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
5Section 1 Self-assessment and Self-management
6Lesson 1 Goal Setting and Achievement
- What well be covering
- characteristics of goals
- how to break down goals
- where goal setting can go wrong
7Goals 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.
8Goals 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
9Goals 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
10Goals 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
11Goals 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.
12Goals 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.
13Goals should be...
- Flexible
- If it looks like you cant reach your original
goal, be flexible and redraw your plan
14Goals should be...
- Associated with a deadline
- When do you plan on accomplishing this goal, in a
month, day, or year?
15Goals should be...
- Written down
- It will serve as a better reminder to keep you
motivated
16Where goal setting can go wrong
- When goal setting is disorganized
- For example, keep personal and academic goals
separate
17Where goal setting can go wrong
- When goals are unrealistic
- For example, becoming a company CEO immediately
after graduation is an unrealistic goal
18Where goal setting can go wrong
- When you set goals that are beyond your control
- For example, winning the lottery is definitely
beyond your control
19Where 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.
20Where 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
21How to break down and achieve goals
22Summary
- 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
23Homework 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
24Lesson 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
25What 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
26How 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
27How 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.
28In class assignment Whats your learning style?
- Complete the learning style assessment
- View Suggestions for Studying and Learning based
on learning style
29Summary
- 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.
30Homework 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?
31Lesson 3 Anxiety/Stress Management
- What well cover
- What is stress?
- What causes stress?
- Strategies to reduce stress
- Strategies for dealing with stress
32What 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.
33Symptoms 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
34In-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.
35What causes stress?
- Anxiety uneasiness and distress about future
uncertainties
36What causes stress?
- Changes in lifes expectations or demands
- Ex. Marriage, divorce, pregnancy, illness, bills,
increasing demands of a university course load
37What causes stress?
- Disorganization feeling unprepared and powerless
38What causes stress?
- Physical Constraints
- Ex. Physical exhaustion, lack of good exercise
and diet strategies
39What causes stress?
- Time constraints multiple projects and deadlines
40In-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.
41Strategies 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.
42Strategies 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.
43Strategies 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
44Strategies 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.
45Strategies to reduce stress
- Physical stress busters
- eat right, exercise regularly and get plenty of
rest
46Strategies 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
47In-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.
48Strategies 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.
49Strategies 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.
50Strategies for dealing with stress
- Talk to someone
- Find someone you trust, discuss the problems and
look for solutions
51Strategies for dealing with stress
- Put it in perspective
- Chances are, this is only one small part of the
rest of your life
52Strategies for dealing with stress
- Visualize
- Sit comfortably and think of a favorite place.
Imagine yourself in a successful situation.
53Strategies 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.
54Strategies 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.
55Strategies 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.
56Strategies for dealing with stress
- Lighten up
- Take responsibility for your feelings. When you
get angry, take a break and cool down before you
act.
57Strategies 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.
58Summary
- 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.
59Homework 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?
60Section 2 Study skills development
61Lesson 4Time Management
- What well be covering
- advantages to good time management
- assess your time management skills
- create your ultimate schedule
- making to-do lists
62Time 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
63In 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?
64Time 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?
65Time Management Tips
66Steps 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
67Steps 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
68Making 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
69In 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
70Time 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
71Time Management Tips
- Make a long-term calendar
72In 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
73Time Management Tips
- Try to be flexible
- Dont overload yourself. Always leave some
free-time for some last-minute additions
74Time 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
75Time Management Tips
- Use waiting time
- Waiting time is the time you spend in between
meetings, classes, events, etc.
76In 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
77Time 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.
78Understanding procrastination
- When do you procrastinate?
- low interest or motivation
- large tasks
- What happens when you procrastinate
- increase stress
- poorer performance
79Reducing 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
80The Ultimate Schedule
- Download the sample Ultimate Schedule
81The Ultimate Schedule
- First, block off time for your FIXED activities
- class
- work
- meetings
82The Ultimate Schedule
- Second, block off time for your RITUAL activities
- meals
- travel/commute
- sleep
- grooming
83The 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
84The Ultimate Schedule
- Your FREE time is the time that remains, use it
for - watching television
- shopping
- socializing
85Summary
- 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
86Homework assignment Apply what youve learned
- Download the Weekly Schedule Sheet
- Using the steps for creating the Ultimate
Schedule, design your ultimate schedule
87Lesson 4 Memory Techniques
- What well be covering
- things that can effect your ability to remember
something - basic memory tips
- strategies to improve your memory
88What can effect your ability to remember
something?
- distractions
- time of day
- your comfort level
- stress
- your interest in the material
- your level of motivation
89Thirteen 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
90Thirteen 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
91Thirteen memory tips
- Create associations
- Relate what youre learning to something that
you already know - Try using analogies and metaphors
92Thirteen 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
93Thirteen memory tips
- Reduce distractions
- Turn off music, phone, television
94Thirteen 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
95Thirteen 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
96Thirteen memory tips
- Turn abstract ideas into concrete examples
97Thirteen memory tips
- Distribute learning
- Use many short sessions for studying instead of
one long session
98Thirteen 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.
99Thirteen memory tips
- Stay away from studying similar topics at the
same time to avoid confusion
100Thirteen memory tips
- Use mnemonics, or memory techniques
- Try creating a song or rhyme to help you remember
- Use acronyms
101Thirteen memory tips
- Avoid studying material in the same sequence
- Try starting at the end or middle of the material
102Summary
- 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.
103Homework 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
104Lesson 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
105What 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
106What to do before class
- Read your textbook
- reading your textbook can help you to understand
what is being discussed in lecture
107What to do before class
- Skim the notes from the last class
- this will refresh your memory and focus you for
the next lesson
108What 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
109What 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
110What 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
111Identifying 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
112What to do during class
- Use a method of note taking
- Use Cornell Method
- Create Mind maps
113The 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
114Practice using the Cornell Method
- Download a sample page of notes using the Cornell
Method - Recopy a page of your notes using the Cornell
Method
115Mind Mapping
- Pictorial representation of ideas
- Good for visual learners
- Shows how topics and ideas are related
- Uses both sides of your brain
116Steps 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
117Mind Mapping Practice
- Download a sample mind map
- Practice creating a mind map
118What to do during class
- Identify possible exam questions
- Use them to self-test yourself later
119What to do after class
- Review your notes within 24 hours
- Are they complete?
- Do they make sense?
120What to do after class
- Identify any questions that you may have and find
the answers - Re-copy or re-organize if necessary
121Note Taking Practice
- Watch this short lecture and use the note taking
strategies we discussed
122Summary
- 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.
123Lesson 6 Reading Textbooks
- What well be covering
- previewing
- annotating
124Why 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
125Steps 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.
126Steps 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.
127Steps 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.
128Steps 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.
129Steps 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.
130Steps 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.
131Why 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
132Steps 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).
133Steps 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.
134Steps 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.
135Steps to Annotating Text
- If you have no annotating, you should have no
underlining.
136Steps 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.
137Summary
- 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.
138Homework assignment Apply what youve learned
139Lesson 7 Exam Preparation
- What well be covering
- key elements of exam preparation
- creating and using note cards
- the Eight-day study plan
140What 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?
141Key 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.
142Key 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)
143Key elements of exam preparation
- Avoid procrastination
- If you wait until the last-minute to study,
youll remember less and stress more
144Key elements of exam preparation
- Use memory techniques
- Remember the techniques we discussed?
145Key elements of exam preparation
- Make sure youve taken adequate notes and read
the text - Get any notes that youve missed
146Key elements of exam preparation
147Key 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?
148Key elements of exam preparation
- Dont be afraid to ask questions
- Ask during class, over e-mail, at tutoring and in
your study group
149Key elements of exam preparation
- Look for (or create) practice tests and questions
150Creating 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
151Creating 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
152The Eight Day Study Plan
- download the Eight-Day Study Plan
153Summary
- 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.
154Homework assignment Apply what youve learned
- Complete the Eight-Day Study Plan for one of your
classes - Download the Eight-Day Study Plan Sheet
155Lesson 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
156General 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
157General 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
158General test-taking strategies
- Look over the test and budget your time
accordingly - Leave time to review your work
159Suggestions for objective tests
- Circle or underline clue words like all, every,
none, always, etc. - Watch for negatives
160Suggestions 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
161Suggestions 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?
162Suggestions 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
163After 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
164Correcting 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?
165Correcting 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.
166Correcting 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
167Stress reduction and management
- have a study plan
- get some exercise
- proper nutrition
- keep a positive attitude
- get enough rest
168What 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
169Summary
- 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.
170Homework 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
171Lesson 9 Internet Resources
- What well be covering
- how to conduct a search
- some of our favorite sites
172How to conduct a search
173Some of our favorite sites
174Homework 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.