Exam Day: Survival Tips

Test-Taking

Part 1

http://www.collegeboard.com/student/plan/boost-your-skills/10296.html

Essential Test-Taking Advice

Try out these strategies while you’re still in high school, and by the time you get to college, you’ll be a test-taking expert.

Before the Test

Eat well.

Studies show that you need good nutrition to concentrate and perform your best.

Bring the right supplies.

Bring your pencils, erasers, pens, rulers, compasses, calculators or whatever else you need on test day.

Review the whole test before you start.

See how many sections and what types of questions are on the test. Determine how much time to allow for completing each section.

CHOOSE THE RIGHT!!!

Note—Taking Strategies

Part 2

http://www.collegeboard.com/student/plan/college-success/9555.html

During Class

One approach that has been proven effective is called the Cornell Note-Taking System. Here are some of its methods.

Start by using the main section of your page to take down your notes during class. Be sure to leave space on the left side of the page and the bottom. Things keep in mind:

1.     Get the speaker’s main points. Don’t write down every word you hear.

2.     Leave blanks in your notes to add explanation later.

3.     Organize as you write. Pay attention to cues such as repetition and emphasis.

4.     Indicate main and supporting points as you go.

5.     Jot down key vocabulary, important facts and formulas.

6.     Ask questions. If you’re confused, it’s better to ask while the material is fresh in your mind.

CHOOSE THE RIGHT!!!

Study for Multiple Exams

Part 3

English, math foreign language tips: Practice—especially foreign language. it is hard to succeed in a foreign language class if you are just showing and doing the work. But if you are in your room and look at objects and try to say them in the language you are learning it actually helps. Or if you send a simple text to a friend think about it, can you translate that that no German or Spanish? These are the little things that will help.

Here are my final words of wisdom for students who want to get better grades in college: Time management and organization are critical key factors to success in college. And never be afraid to go ask your teacher for help. They have office hours for a reason-use them!

CHOOSE THE RIGHT!!!

Dropbox

Study for Multiple Exams

Part 2

My strategies for written assignments: Everyone has their own writing styles. I generally come up with an idea and do massive amount of research before I ever think about writing. I then organize my research then sometimes prepare an outline before actually writing. I always print out the paper and come back to it the next day and reread it. That is the easiest way for me to catch my own mistakes. I have to give my eyes a break from it, and if I just wrote it I think it looks perfect. But if I look at it a day later I almost always find grammatical errors or phrases and sentences I just want to reword.

How I succeed in team projects: never assume someone is doing what they are supposed to be doing. Have regular meetings and have each member show their work, not just given you or group their word for it.

CHOOSE THE RIGHT!!!

Dropbox

Sarah’s Academic Success Story

Part 2

My test study method: I have different strategies for different types of tests or subjects. For me, any type of math is exceptionally difficult so I had to spend extra time on that. I would go back through the homework problems focusing on the problems that I had extra difficulty. Many times I would ask the teacher for any additional study materials they could provide. If it was a class that required memorization or applying concepts I would create a sort of study guide for myself many times focusing on what were key focal points in class. If I knew there were going to be essays I would try to take the terms and apply them an example or create different questions on the concepts focused on throughout the semester.

My time management secret: I always always always carry a planner with me. I even use different color highlighters to show what each event on my calendar is for. For example, pink is personal, yellow is school, orange is work, blue is for appointments, and green is for my sorority. Although I use white-out frequently, I can see in bright yellow that if I have that project for finance due on Tuesday, I need to start working on it on [the previous] Wednesday so I can just get it done. My friends have always been amazed at how early I get things accomplished but that is really all I do.

CHOOOSE THE RIGHT!!!
Dropbox

You Can Succeed Everyday

Part 2

My strategies for written assignments: I try to outline before I write because otherwise I forget what I am supposed to be talking about. I try not to leave them until the last minute because then I will just goof up the work. A lot of times I just write what I feel. Teachers like your opinion and if you can find something from the reading or research that releases specifically to your life, they like it even more because it allows you to take ownership of your work. I write things that I want others to read: not things that I have to write because the teacher said so.

How I succeed in team projects: Personally, I do not like working on group projects, especially ones that I worked on in high school, however, when it is required to work in a group, usually I try to lead. I like taking the lead because then I know that my grade will be a good one. I do well in school, I always have and I don’t plan on changing that anytime soon, so when I need to work with people who maybe don’t care as much as I do, or they have more time to waste on things other than the project, I try to be in charge. That way I know that things are going to get done on time and that I am going to get a good grade. If I am working in a group of people who all want to work, then it is a different story.

CHOOSE THE RIGHT!!!
Dropbox