NORTHERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY

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NORTHERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY

• VOCATIONAL SUPPORT SERVICES

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PREPARING FOR FINAL EXAMS
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PLAN YOUR TIME WISELY

• Identify and document the days and times of all
  of your exams.
• Gather all materials for each course such as
  lecture notes, old tests, handouts and study
  guides.
• Create a daily study plan, budgeting your time
  based on your exam schedule.
• Schedule study time as well as breaks.

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ORGANIZE CONTENT AREAS

• Identify what information will most likely be
  covered on the final exam.
• Set priorities for the material you need to
  study.
• Review your syllabus, textbook, notebooks and
  other resource material used in the class.
• Concentrate on the material that is most
  important.

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SKIM OVER MATERIALS

• Create a list of the most likely topics to be
  covered on the exam.
• Use the table of contents in your text.
• Review the highlighted sections of your book.
• Review your syllabus.
• Discuss or review with friends.

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EMPLOY LEARNING STRATEGIES

• Choose a study strategy that forces you to test
  your knowledge as it will be required on the
  exam.
• Create flash cards.
• Employ sample or practice test questions.
• Use charts, graphics, study guides or other
  organizers.
• At the beginning of each study period, do a 10
  minute review of the previous periods material.

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OTHER PREPARATION TIPS

• Maintain a positive attitude.
• Do not allow worry to interfere with your
  studying.
• Take frequent but short breaks.
• Read summaries, review questions, practice tests,
  etc.

• Write down the main ideas of each lecture from
  your notes.
• Use stimulants such as coffee carefully, if at
  all.
• Dont get bogged down on minor points.
• Write out possible questions.

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TEST DAY TIPS

• Have a back-up waking system in place.
• Eat a good breakfast the day of the exam.
• Allow extra time in getting to the exam site.
• Maintain a positive attitude during the test.

• On exam day, review your notes.
• Read and follow test directions carefully.
• Look over the entire test and budget your time
  accordingly.
• Do easier questions first, use logic and common
  sense.

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IN CONCLUSION THE BEST THING YOU CAN DO IN
PREPARING FOR EXAMS IS

• ATTEND ALL OF YOUR CLASSES !

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This presentation was created by Michael Turino,
Academic and Career Counselor, for the Vocational
Support Services of Northern Michigan University
using Microsoft PowerPoint 2000 and the following
resources.

• Test-Taking Power, Fred Orr.
• Study Strategies for College, Theodore O. Knight.
• URL-http//www.eiu.edu/finals.htm
• URL-http//cfcc.net/caedocs/chap7.htm
• URL-http//www.thesemester.com/finals.html
• URL-http//www.collegefreshmen.net
• URL-http//www.magorder.com