Study Tips

Academic & Test Taking

General Principles for Test Taking

Pace yourself. Up to a minute and a half is allowed per multiple choice question on most tests. It only takes about half of that to read the question and answers.
Answer all questions. Guessing is usually not penalized. With four answers, you always have a 25% chance of being correct.
Concentrate on reading the questions, leaping to the answers will cause you to miss some of the detail of the question.
If you find yourself leaving 20-30 minutes into the exam period, read the questions again. You may find that you missed something.
Avoid asking “what if?” when reading a question. The correct answer can be determined from the information given.
If you don’t find the answer, mentally “step back” from the question to get a better overall view of it.
Take note of key words. In the case of two correct answers, these can help you distinguish which one is better.
The phrase “most important” entails the need to prioritize the answers provided. Prioritization is often based on safety or significance.
If more than one answer seems to be correct, go back to the question and ensure that you did not miss an “Except” or “Not true”.
A question is usually not a trick. Getting overly involved in a particular question can complicate an otherwise easy answer.
If you can narrow your options down to 2, go with your “gut” response. You always have a 50% chance of being correct at this point.
If you know the answer to a question, but that answer is not there, thinking about the question differently may reveal the answer.
If you can’t answer a question in a reasonable amount of time, move on. Come back when to it you have finished the test.
Do not get upset with a question if you can’t find the answer. There is always an answer, being upset will only make it difficult to find.
There are no questions designed to “trick” students. Questions are designed to test your understanding, not deceive you.
Do not answer questions with a “yes, but…” This sort of qualifying is not usually what is desired as an answer.

Final Exams

When studying for a final exam, spread your studies out over at least 2 weeks. This allows reasonable amounts of review each day.
Browse through each chapter, reviewing highlighted information along the way.
If your previous chapter tests are available to you, retake them as a method of reviewing the material.
Complete a cumulative review that covers the chapters you need to review. Be sure only to answer questions relevant to your studies.
For any remaining difficulties, see your instructor, go to a tutoring session, or participate in a study group.
If you have only a short amount of time before the final exam, attend a final-exam review session if one is available.

Biology

Successful biology students tend to study a minimum of 2-3 hours daily, 7 days a week for the duration of the semester.
Biology can be hard work, so be aggressive in your studies. Take it as a challenge and give it your time and energy.
Know and understand your terminology. With biology, understanding Latin and Greek roots is very helpful.
Anything that is brought into the lab will be tested upon. Pay attention to whatever is brought into the lab.
Attend all classes and be an active listener. Taking full and comprehensive notes will help you to succeed in class.
Review the material as soon after class as possible, and then again 8 hours later. Studies show that this helps with memorization.
Recite important concepts in your own words. This is a good method of testing your understanding of said concepts.
Always remember to ask questions before, during, and after class. See your instructor during their office hours for help.
When possible, explain aloud to another person what you are learning. This helps you to further your understanding of the subject.
Describe aloud the similarities and differences between the different concepts you are learning. Do this with another student.
If Biology is your toughest subject, always study it first when you are alert and fresh.
Take 5 to 10 minute breaks for every 20 to 40 minutes of studying in order to clear and refresh your mind.
Write up summaries of terminology and concepts and review them often. Visualize these terms to further enhance memorization.
Create sample tests for yourself and test often.
Write practice test questions similar to those that you would expect in class.
Review the types of errors that you make and types of questions that cause you difficulty. Study these more thoroughly.
If possible, have a friend or family member quiz you on your notes and text information. Doing so regularly commits information to memory.

Math

Be prepared and on time.
Write down any formulas you’ll need to remember.
Read instructions carefully.
Skim the test and do the questions you know immediately.
Pace yourself so you have time to consider all questions.
Do problems you can do but take more time. (?)
Go back and work on hard problems.
- Be systematic.
- Find relevant information.
- Break into smaller parts.
- Don’t panic.
- Don’t write a novel.
If you have no idea where to start:
- Re-read question
- Check to see if similar to any other problems.
- Re-read formulas
- List what is known, what you need to find, and what is needed to find the answer.
Allow time to check your problems.
Look for blatant errors in your work.
When you receive your test back, look up questions that caused problems. Correct those problems that you missed.
If you cannot determine why your answer was incorrect, check with your instructor for an explanation.

Test Anxiety

Preparation is the best way to deal with anxiety before a test or exam.
To manage stress, avoid cramming for a test. It is hard to retain crammed information, and this method quickly creates anxiety.
Spread your studies throughout the course rather than studying just before the exam.
Combine all the information from throughout the semester and work on mastering the main concepts of the course.
When studying for the test, ask yourself what questions may be asked and try to answer them before the exam.
If you are unable to cover all material thoroughly before the exam, choose the important portions that you can cover well.
Before a test, do not over emphasize the importance of a grade. Doing so will result in unnecessary amounts of stress.
If you worry about an upcoming test, remember that the most reasonable expectation is to try to show as much of what you know as possible.
Avoid thinking in irrational, “all-or-nothing” terms.
If you feel overwhelmed during an exam, take a moment to center yourself. Focus on something else for a moment to clear your mind.
Think positively. Don’t criticize yourself for not knowing something, think of your chance to answer the question later.
Studying isn’t the only key to doing well on a test. Ensure that you maintain habits of good nutrition and exercise as well.
Pace your school work moderately, vary your work whenever possible, and take breaks when necessary.
Ensure that you get plenty of sleep the night before the test. If you are overly tired you will not be able to function optimally.
Once you feel adequately prepared for the test, do something relaxing to help you refresh after your study session.
On the day of the test, begin with a moderate breakfast. If you are prone to “caffeine-jitters”, avoid coffee that morning.
Try doing something relaxing an hour before the test. Cramming at the last minute will cloud your mastery of the course.
Plan to arrive at the test location early. This will allow you to relax and select a seat located far away from distractions.
If you have classmates who may generate anxiety or tend to upset your stability, try to avoid them on testing day.
If waiting for the test to begin causes anxiety, occupy yourself with something else, perhaps some kind of reading material.
If you find yourself becoming anxious during the exam, tell yourself “I can be anxious later, now is the time for the exam.”
During the exam, focus only on answering the questions at hand. Not the grade or the performance of yourself and others.
Counter any potential negative thoughts with other, more valid thoughts such as, “I don’t have to be perfect.”
If you are stressed, tense and relax the muscles throughout your body. Take a few deep breaths and maintain a positive attitude.
If you find yourself stressed or distracted, go get a drink of water or head to the restroom, if allowed.
If you need a reason to stand up and walk around, break your pencil lead and go sharpen it.
If you find yourself becoming anxious, think of a positive moment that will follow the completion of the exam.
Oftentimes, stress is a result of a lack of oxygen. If you find yourself becoming stressed, practice focal breathing as alleviation.
Alternatively, you can perform a Body Check. Focus on the muscles that are tense and tell them to relax.
While not applicable in a test taking environment, aerobic exercise can help with stress management and general physical fitness.
Dos and Don’ts of Dealing with Test Anxiety:
- Don’t cram for an exam. The amount you learn will not be worth the stress.
- Don’t think of yourself or the test in a negative sense.
- Don’t stay up late studying the night before. You need adequate sleep. Begin studying a week in advance if possible.
- Don’t spend time with classmates who may cause you stress on testing day.
- Don’t cram in the brief time before the test. Try to relax before the exam instead.
- Do remind yourself that the test is only a test.
- Do focus on integrating details into main ideas.
- Do reward yourself after the test with food or a movie or some other treat.
- Do something relaxing the last hour before the test.
- Do tell yourself that you will do your best on the test, and that will be enough.

Critical Reading/Active Reading

General

SQ5R stands for: “Survey, Question, Read, Record, Recite, Review, Reflect”, and is a strategy to assist with studying from a textbook.
SQ5R can help to warm up your brain, identify important facts and concepts, and helps to retain information.
SQ5R can also help you to understand how a variety of information is related together.
The goal of surveying is to warm up your brain, discovering the main points of the reading material in the process.
Before reading the material in full, spend a few moments becoming familiar with main points and subtopics.
If you find your mind wandering while you survey the reading, read aloud. Try standing and walking around while you read.
Surveying reduces your study time because you can concentrate better, main points stand out more, and details fall into place.
Questioning gives purpose to reading, making reading an active search for information.
Turn headings and subheadings into questions. Ask who, what, where, when, why, and how about the headings.
IF headings are missing, look for topic sentences (generally the first or last sentence of a paragraph) and turn them into questions.
Make chapter objectives into questions that you hope to answer through reading.
Use the author’s questions at the beginning or end of the chapter. This can help you find meaning in the reading.
When you are finished with surveying and questioning the reading, only then are you ready to begin reading.
While reading, be sure to find the answers to your questions and other important information.
If you come across an unknown term in your reading, stop and look up the definition before moving on.
Pay attention to the figures and pictures provided in the reading. Make sure to shift between the text information and the pictorial aid.
While reading, sort out your ideas and evaluate them.
The purposes of reading your textbook are to get the main ideas of the reading, and to find important details supplementary to said ideas.
While reading, be sure to record important ideas. Make the ideas stand out in some way that they will be clear to you later.
While reading the text, be sure to highlight the main idea of each paragraph. This will help with later review.
Underline the details of the text in pen.
Make sure that you make questions out of the main idea. This will help when reviewing later.
When taking notes, use the Cornell Method of note taking to best ensure the quality of your notes.
Reciting the concepts that you have learned helps to ensure memorization. At least 50% of study time should be dedicated to recitation.
Aloud, try to answer the questions you made previously in your studies. Attempt answering in your own words and the text’s.
State the main points of the text out loud, from memory. Do this for the section you read most recently.
Take time after each section to recite. Don’t save recitation until the end of the chapter.
Look back at the original text to check your accuracy and to correct any mistakes you may have made.
Through recitation, you ensure that you remember more from the original text, reducing the need to reread.
Recitation also prevents you from fooling yourself into believing you know something you don’t. If you can’t say it, you don’t know it.
Knowing that you must recite what you have read at the end of a section encourages you to read thoroughly.
Without review, most students forget 80% of what they read in just two weeks. Review allows you to prevent this.
Consistent review of your studies allows you to move information from your short term memory, into long term memory.
Review and answer the questions you previously created at least 2 to 3 times per week. Cover your notes and recite the main points.
Ask yourself the questions you have generated and answer them aloud. If you can’t say it, you don’t know it.
Each day before a lecture, review your notes from the day before.
Make use of quick reviews frequently, even if just for a few minutes at a time.
After reading a passage, make sure that you reflect upon it with critical thinking. Ask yourself how you can apply what you have learned.

Science Courses

Learning Styles

Suggestions for Visual Learners

Visual Learners should use videos and documentaries for research.
Draw graphs and charts when taking notes.
A visual learner should draw pictures in their notes of important topics and ideas.
Teach yourself in the mirror.
Visual Learners should make flash cards of vocabulary words, science formulas, dates and names, fictional characters, etc…
One tip for visual learners is to attempt writing what you want to remember with your non dominant hand.
Try creating a map of your notes.
Using 2, 3, or 4 color highlighting can be helpful for visual learners. One color for facts, another for generalizations, etc…
Visualization can be greatly helpful. Visualize the content of lectures to assist with the memorization of course content.
As a visual learner, when operating the computer, try using the mouse with your non dominant hand.
Watching videos on the computer can be greatly helpful for a visual learner. The video presents a better way of providing information.

Suggestions for Auditory Learners

Auditory Learners are greatly benefitted by listening to audio books or recorded lectures.
As an Auditory Learner, you should record yourself reciting information that you want to remember for later.
Reading out loud is very helpful for auditory learners.
Auditory Learners are greatly benefitted by mnemonic devices. Try creating or finding such devices to assist with your studies.
Repetition helps when memorizing content. Try this while laying down in bed at the end of the day.
Create voices for different characters while reading aloud. This distinction allows you to remember individual parts of the reading.
Make associations between sounds and the information that you want to remember. Sound association is helpful in memorization.
As an auditory learner, when using the computer, use headphones so that you can hear any audio content associated with your studies.
When reading text from the computer screen, be sure to read aloud where appropriate. This will commit the text to memory.

Suggestions for Tactile Learners

When possible break information in steps; like a systematic process. This is helpful in making large amounts of content more manageable.
Type out your notes or write them into a computer later.
Tactile Learners should exercise or move around while studying in order to be better engaged in the content at hand.
When studying maps or geography, make a puzzle out of a trace of the map and then piece it together.
In courses such as history, science, or literature, invent a plot. Create a back story to the events detailed in the text.
Take notes while reading, either on a separate piece of paper or in the margins.
Build or draw what you are learning about. Get yourself involved in the content of the text rather than just reading it.
Use rhythm to help you memorize. Create a beat that you associate with the list of items you are attempting to remember.
Try standing at your computer desk to be more physically involved.

Building a Powerful Memory

Memorization is an important aid to understanding. Memorization can be improved through organization, testing, technique and pacing.
Proper mental organization is greatly helpful when memorizing. Splitting ideas into groups helps with memorizing larger concepts.
Testing yourself repeatedly also helps with memorization. Review your list of ideas until you can repeat each without looking.
Using many memory techniques is helpful as well. Applying other senses, key words, or mnemonics can greatly assist in your memorization.
Creating phrases from the first letter of each item that you want to memorize can be helpful in remembering the individual ideas.
When memorizing the meaning of vocabulary words, ensure that you understand the root, prefix, and suffix of the term.

Note Taking

Note Taking Tips and Review

While taking notes, be sure to listen actively to the instructor. Don’t just write what they are saying without retaining the information.
Be open minded about points you disagree on. Don’t let arguing interfere with your notes.
If you have a question, be sure to ask the instructor when appropriate.
Develop a standardized method of note taking. Consistency between your pages of notes will reduce confusion come time to review.
Take your notes down in a large notebook. This will ensure that you are never pressed for space and can take notes in full.
Leave a few lines blank as you move from point to point in your notes. If you need to add info to a point later, you can always come back.
Do not try to take down everything the lecturer says. Spend time taking down the main points of the lecture instead.
Ensure that your original notes are legible for your own reading, but also make use of abbreviations to keep up with the lecture.
Copy down everything that is written on the board. Although it may not be relevant to your notes, it may be helpful later.
Sit as close to the front of the class as possible. This will reduce distractions and ensure that you can hear all lectures.
Get assignments and suggestions precisely. Ask questions if you are not sure of what you have been assigned to complete.

Taking Effective Lecture Notes

When in a lecture, listen for the topic, the main idea, and the details of support. This will help you more fully comprehend the lecture.
While listening to a lecture, look for visual and auditory cues from the lecturer. These tend to indicate important points.
Before a lecture, familiarize yourself with the topic. Going into the lecture with prior knowledge makes comprehension easier.
Listen to the other students during classroom discussion. Frequently they will have similar questions to your own.
Try to listen to the lecture objectively. Even if you disagree with what is being said, it is in your best interest to hear it.
If your instructor speaks too quickly, try to keep up with their pace. If you miss something, ask a classmate later if they got it.
If the instructor speaks too slowly, don’t let your mind wander. Staying on track with the lecture will ensure you retain the content.
Notice the volume of the instructor’s voice. A change in loudness may signal an important point in the lecture.
If the instructor speaks softly, active listening is necessary. Find a desk near the instructor so that you may best pay attention.
If the instructor does not use the board to highlight important points, see if they use any auditory clues instead.
If you instructor a disorganized lecturer, pay attention and note any questions you may have. Refer to other resources for answers later.
If your notes are too brief, you need to listen for additional supporting details. Take note of things like examples and characteristics.
If your notes are too wordy, you may be writing insignificant details. Ask yourself if a point is important enough to be remembered later.
If your lecture notes are disorganized, you need to better separate the main ideas from the supporting details.
If you find information in your notes to be inaccurate, you need to listen more carefully. Paying attention is key to quality notes.
If your notes are messy, review them soon after class while the info is still fresh. Doing so will allow you to correct any errors.

Study Tips

Academic & Test Taking

Critical Reading/Active Reading

Learning Styles

Note Taking

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