International Multidisciplinary Research Journal

Transcription

ISSN No :2231-5063
Vol 4 Issue 10 April 2015
ORIGINAL ARTICLE
International Multidisciplinary
Research Journal
Golden Research
Thoughts
Chief Editor
Dr.Tukaram Narayan Shinde
Associate Editor
Dr.Rajani Dalvi
Publisher
Mrs.Laxmi Ashok Yakkaldevi
Honorary
Mr.Ashok Yakkaldevi
Welcome to GRT
RNI MAHMUL/2011/38595
ISSN No.2231-5063
Golden Research Thoughts Journal is a multidisciplinary research journal, published monthly in English,
Hindi & Marathi Language. All research papers submitted to the journal will be double - blind peer reviewed
referred by members of the editorial board.Readers will include investigator in universities, research institutes
government and industry with research interest in the general subjects.
International Advisory Board
Flávio de São Pedro Filho
Federal University of Rondonia, Brazil
Mohammad Hailat
Dept. of Mathematical Sciences,
University of South Carolina Aiken
Hasan Baktir
English Language and Literature
Department, Kayseri
Kamani Perera
Regional Center For Strategic Studies, Sri
Lanka
Abdullah Sabbagh
Engineering Studies, Sydney
Ghayoor Abbas Chotana
Dept of Chemistry, Lahore University of
Management Sciences[PK]
Janaki Sinnasamy
Librarian, University of Malaya
Ecaterina Patrascu
Spiru Haret University, Bucharest
Romona Mihaila
Spiru Haret University, Romania
Loredana Bosca
Delia Serbescu
Spiru Haret University, Bucharest,
Romania
Fabricio Moraes de Almeida
Federal University of Rondonia, Brazil
Anurag Misra
DBS College, Kanpur
Anna Maria Constantinovici
AL. I. Cuza University, Romania
Ilie Pintea,
Xiaohua Yang
PhD, USA
George - Calin SERITAN
Faculty of Philosophy and Socio-Political
Sciences Al. I. Cuza University, Iasi
......More
Titus PopPhD, Partium Christian
University, Oradea,Romania
Editorial Board
Iresh Swami
Pratap Vyamktrao Naikwade
ASP College Devrukh,Ratnagiri,MS India Ex - VC. Solapur University, Solapur
R. R. Patil
Head Geology Department Solapur
University,Solapur
Rama Bhosale
Prin. and Jt. Director Higher Education,
Panvel
Salve R. N.
Department of Sociology, Shivaji
University,Kolhapur
Govind P. Shinde
Bharati Vidyapeeth School of Distance
Education Center, Navi Mumbai
Chakane Sanjay Dnyaneshwar
Arts, Science & Commerce College,
Indapur, Pune
Awadhesh Kumar Shirotriya
Secretary,Play India Play,Meerut(U.P.)
N.S. Dhaygude
Ex. Prin. Dayanand College, Solapur
Narendra Kadu
Jt. Director Higher Education, Pune
K. M. Bhandarkar
Praful Patel College of Education, Gondia
Sonal Singh
Vikram University, Ujjain
Rajendra Shendge
Director, B.C.U.D. Solapur University,
Solapur
R. R. Yalikar
Director Managment Institute, Solapur
Umesh Rajderkar
Head Humanities & Social Science
YCMOU,Nashik
S. R. Pandya
Head Education Dept. Mumbai University,
Mumbai
Alka Darshan Shrivastava
G. P. Patankar
S. D. M. Degree College, Honavar, Karnataka Shaskiya Snatkottar Mahavidyalaya, Dhar
Maj. S. Bakhtiar Choudhary
Director,Hyderabad AP India.
Rahul Shriram Sudke
Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya, Indore
S.Parvathi Devi
Ph.D.-University of Allahabad
S.KANNAN
Annamalai University,TN
Sonal Singh,
Vikram University, Ujjain
Satish Kumar Kalhotra
Maulana Azad National Urdu University
Address:-Ashok Yakkaldevi 258/34, Raviwar Peth, Solapur - 413 005 Maharashtra, India
Cell : 9595 359 435, Ph No: 02172372010 Email: [email protected] Website: www.aygrt.isrj.org
Golden Research Thoughts ISSN 2231-5063 Impact Factor : 3.4052(UIF)
Volume-4 | Issue-10 | April-2015 Available online at www.aygrt.isrj.org
TIME MANAGEMENT AND MOTIVATION IN EFFECTIVE STUDY
Mohammad Amiri, IRAN
Professional Social work Scholar, Social Science Centre, Bharati Vidyapeeth
Deemed University,Pune.
Short Profile
Mohammad Amiri IRAN is a Professional Social work Scholar at Department
of Social Science Centre in Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed University, Pune.
Co-Author Details :
V. V. Kulkarni
Asso. Professor, Social Science Centre, Bharati Vidyapeeth, Deemed University, Pune.
ABSTRACT:
It seems that there is never enough
time in the day. But, since we all get
the same 24 hours, why is it that
some people achieve so much more
with their time than others? The
answer lies in good time
management. The highest achievers
manage their time exceptionally
well. By using the timemanagement techniques in this
section, you can improve your
ability to function more effectively –
even when time is tight and
pressures are high. Good time
management requires an important
shift in focus from activities to
results: being busy isn’t the same as
being effective. (Ironically, the opposite is often closer to the truth.)
KEYWORDS
Time Management and Motivation , organize.
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INTRODUCTION
Spending your day in a frenzy of activity often achieves less, because you’re dividing your
attention between so many different tasks. Good time management lets you work smarter – not harder
– so you get more done in less time.
WHAT IS “TIME MANAGEMENT?”
“Time management” refers to the way that you organize and plan how long you spend on
specific activities.
It may seem counter-intuitive to dedicate precious time to learning about time management,
instead of using it to get on with your work, but the benefits are enormous :
•Greater productivity and efficiency.
•A better professional reputation.
•Less stress.
•Increased opportunities for advancement.
•Greater opportunities to achieve important life and career goals.
Failing to manage your time effectively can have some very undesirable consequences:
•Missed deadlines.
•Inefficient work flow.
•Poor work quality.
•A poor professional reputation and a stalled career.
•Higher stress levels.
Spending a little time learning about time-management techniques will have huge benefits now – and
throughout your career.
Key Points
Time management is the process of organizing and planning how much time you spend on
specific activities. Invest some time in our comprehensive collection of time management articles to
learn about managing your own time more efficiently, and save yourself time in the future.
Goals of Time Management
•To be able to have control over your life - manage your time, don't let it manage you!
•To be healthier and happier (less stress).
Seven Suggestions for Effectively Managing Your Time
1. Be Organized
•Use time saving tools: appointment calendars, "to do" lists, e-mail, answering machines,
etc.
•Have an organized workplace (don't waste time constantly looking for your work).
•Use your appointment calendar for everything, including listing study time.
file folders,
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•Use "to do" lists for both long-term and for each day/week.
2. Plan Ahead (Schedule it and it will happen!)
•Determine how long your tasks will take (do this before agreeing to take on a task!)
•Consider whether any activities can be combined.
•Determine if big tasks can be broken down into smaller tasks that may be easier to schedule (such as
studying for exams and visiting the library as part of an assignment to write a term paper).
3. Prioritize Your Tasks
•Use an A-B-C rating system for items on your "to do" lists with A items being highest priority.
•Set goals for both the short term and long term as to what you want to accomplish.
•Look at all of your "to do"s to gauge the time requirement and whether additional resources will be
needed to accomplish them (if yes, schedule time to obtain those resources). Don't postpone the small
tasks (a sense of accomplishment is good and overlooked small tasks can become larger tasks.)
4. Avoid Overload
•Include time for rest, relaxation, sleep, eating, exercise, and socializing in your schedule.
•Take short breaks during study and work periods.
•Don't put everything off until the last minute (for example, don't cram for exams).
•Learn to say "no" when appropriate and to negotiate better deadlines when appropriate.
5. Practice Effective Study Techniques
•Have an appropriate study environment.
•Split large tasks into more manageable tasks.
•Read for comprehension, rather than just to get to the end of the chapter.
•Be prepared to ask questions as they come up during study, rather than waiting until just before an
exam.
•Do the most difficult work first, perhaps breaking it up with some easier tasks.
•Don't wait until the last minute to complete your projects.
•Read the syllabus as soon as you get it and note all due dates (and "milestone" times) on your calendar.
•Be a model student! (be attentive and participative in class, and punctual, prepared, and eager to
learn)
6. Be Able to be Flexible
•The unexpected happens (sickness, car troubles, etc.); you need to be able to fit it into your schedule.
•Know how to rearrange your schedule when necessary (so it doesn't manage you - you manage it).
•Know who to ask for help when needed.
7. Have a Vision (why are you doing all of this?)
•Don't forget the "big picture" - why are you doing the task - is it important to your long-term personal
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goals?
•Have and follow a personal mission statement (personal and career). (Are your activities ultimately
helping you achieve your goals?)
•Know what is important to you. (What do you value most?)
•Have a positive attitude!
Time Management Tips For Students
The time management skills and disciplines that you develop as a student can help you for the
rest of your life.
Do something today that your future self will thank you for.
Here are some tips to help you develop good time management skills.
A. Create good study habits
1. Study at the same time each day so that it becomes a habit.
2. Plan for weekly reviews.
3. Set aside blocks of study time (about 45 minutes each).
4. Keep your study area just for studying and get rid of distractions.
5. Write down assignments in every class including the DUE DATE and then check off items as you
complete them.
6. Take advantage of open “time windows.”
• Use the time you spend waiting, walking, riding, etc. to review what you’ve learned.
• Just before class, quickly review your notes or readings relating to that class.
B. Plan Properly for Peak Performance
1. Set up a school-year calendar to get a big picture of your semester–don’t include too much detail at
this point.
2. Schedule your fixed commitments. Block out time for papers, projects, readings, meetings,
scheduled exams, holidays, breaks, presentations, etc.
Allot time for planned recreation, sports, club activities, etc.
Enter important dates for your social and family life.
Leave free time for yourself so you have flexibility.
3. Make a Weekly Schedule. Once a week block out time on a more detailed level for important
commitments and deadlines you need to meet. Schedule meetings with yourself to work on backburner items.
4. Make a Daily To-Do List. At the end of each day organize and schedule your next day. Include routines,
errands, and study time.
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C. Follow your plan
1. Don’t let peer pressure or the quest for short-term gratification dictate what you consider important.
2. Focus on the goals you’ve set for yourself and follow up on your true top priorities.
3. Align your priorities with your long-term values and goals.
D. Set priorities: There’s always more to do than you have time for
1. Be mindful that the actions you take today will plant the seeds for your long-term success or failure.
2. Think of the possible actions you can take today that will contribute to your success.
a. Go over each action you’ve thought of and ask yourself, “What positive things might happen if I make
this a top priority?”
b. Ask yourself, “What negative things might happen if I don’t make it a top priority?”
c. Write down the answers you’ve come up with and sort things out by asking yourself three more
questions.
1. How good or bad are the best and the worst things that might happen?
2. What are the probabilities of the best and the worst thing happening?
3. How much time and energy would I have to invest?
E. Overcome procrastination
Without a date, you’ll procrastinate. Whenever you get an assignment, set a goal for when
you’re going to start it so you can finish without a last minute panic.
1. Once you’re given a due date on an assignment, count backwards from the due date to establish a
start date. Take into account time you’ll be spending on other items like social events, sports, etc. Refer
to your school calendar where you’ve blocked out time you’ve committed to other things.
2. Keep stress to a minimum. Start early to avoid a frantic finish.
3. If you usually wait until the last minute to study or work on an assignment, instead of making your
goal to finish on time, make your goal to finish early.
4. Remember the riddle, “How do you eat an elephant?” The answer: “A bite at a time.”
If it’s a big assignment, break it into small steps.
F. Look Back From the Future
Things that appear critically important today might seem relatively unimportant when you view
them from a future perspective. Also, things that appear to be relatively unimportant today might be
very important when you view them from a future perspective.
Looking back from the future–“backcasting” instead of forecasting–which items will have been
the most significant for you to have accomplished to achieve your ideal week, month, year, and life?
“Backcasting” one week from now? ……………………………………………..
“Backcasting” one month from ow?……………………………………………..
“Backcasting” one year from now? ……………………………………………….
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“Backcasting” five years from now? ……………………………………………..
“Backcasting” from near the end of your life? ………………………………….
School represents a time in your life that may have a major impact on how the rest of your life
turns out. Your success tomorrow depends on what actions you take today. Keep that in perspective so
that the daily decisions you make are wise ones.
8 TIME MANAGEMENT TIPS FOR ADULT COLLEGE STUDENTS
A successful college student is someone who knows how to manage their most critical resource
– time. Here are 8 time management strategies to help adult learners like youfit college into your life:
1 - Establish priorities:
Not all tasks are essential. Make a prioritized list. Some tasks can wait. Some tasks can be
delegated. Some tasks can be tossed.
2 - Know yourself :
Schedule highest priority tasks when you do your best work. Morning person or night owl ¬–
know who you are.
3 - Sleep. Be Healthy :
Stress reduces performance, as does lack of sleep. Be sure to get enough of both. Also, try
walking or stretching between study activities to help clear your mind and reset your brain for new
information.
4 - Build in flexibility :
An adult learner needs a flexible mindset and a flexible schedule. Build slack into your schedule
to help manage unforeseen obstacles. Life happens. Plan accordingly.
5 - Let the little things add up :
Don’t wait for big chunks of time to get things done. Whether touching base with an academic
advisor, editing a paper, reviewing notes, or reading a few pages of required reading¬ – small things can
be accomplished in the spaces between other commitments.
6 - Know when it’s survival time :
Midterms and finals are not a time for moderation. Non-essentials should fall to the wayside as
you prepare yourself for these important tests. Let your friends and family know finals are coming so
they can give you the space you need.
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7 - Know when it’s celebration time :
Celebrate milestones. Acknowledge a job well done. Give yourself and others permission to be
proud of your hard work ¬–¬ and mark the progression towards your degree.
8 – Compromise:
At times, there will not be enough time to get things done the way you want. When those times
happen, trade in excellence for efficiency. Sometimes, good enough has to be good enough.
Earning a college degree is a cumulative ¬process. If you develop good time management habits
early on – you’ll be able to reward yourself with a college degree sooner, rather than later.
TIME TIPS
1.Count all your time as time to be used; make every attempt to get satisfaction out of every moment.
2.Find something to enjoy in whatever you do.
3.Try to be an optimist and seek out the good in your life.
4.Find ways to build on your successes.
5.Stop regretting your failures and start learning from your mistakes.
6.Remind yourself, "There is always enough time for the important things." If it is important, you should
be able to make time to do it.
7.Continually look at ways of freeing up your time.
8.Examine your old habits and search for ways to change or eliminate them.
9.Try to use waiting time-review notes or do practice problems.
10.Keep paper or a calendar with you to jot down the things you have to do or notes to yourself.
11.Examine and revise your lifetime goals on a monthly basis and be sure to include progress towards
those goals on a daily basis.
12.Put up reminders in your home or office about your goals.
13.Always keep those long term goals in mind.
14.Plan your day each morning or the night before and set priorities for yourself.
15.Develop and maintain a list of specific things to be done each day, set your priorities and the get the
most important ones done as early in the day as you can. Evaluate your progress at the end of the day
briefly.
16.Look ahead in your month and try and anticipate what is going to happen so you can better schedule
your time.
17.Try rewarding yourself when you get things done as you had planned, especially the important ones.
18.Do first things first.
19.Have confidence in yourself and in your judgment of priorities and stick to them no matter what.
20.When you catch yourself procrastinating-ask yourself, "What am I avoiding?"
21.Start with the most difficult parts of projects, then either the worst is done or you may find you don't
have to do all the other small tasks.
22.Catch yourself when you are involved in unproductive projects and stop as soon as you can.
23.Find time to concentrate on high priority items or activities.
24.Concentrate on one thing at a time.
25.Put your efforts in areas that provide long term benefits.
26.Push yourself and be persistent, especially when you know you are doing well.
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27.Think on paper when possible-it makes it easier to review and revise.
28.Be sure and set deadlines for yourself whenever possible.
29.Delegate responsibilities whenever possible.
30.Ask for advice when needed.
TIME MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES
Plan two study hours for every hour you spend in class.
•Study difficult (or boring) subjects first.
•Avoid scheduling marathon study sessions.
•Be aware of your best time of day.
•Use waiting time.
•Use a regular study area.
Study Where:
•Choose a place that minimizes visual and auditory distractions.
•Use the library or empty classrooms. Get out of a noisy dorm.
•Don't get too comfortable. Sit (or even stand) so that you can remain awake and
•attentive.
•Find a better place when productivity falls off.
You And The Outside World:
•Pay attention to your attention.
•Agree with roommates about study time.
•Avoid noise distractions.
•Notice how others misuse your time.
•Get off the phone.
•Learn to say no.
•Hang a "Do Not Disturb!" sign on your door.
•Ask: "What is one task I can accomplish toward my goal?"
•Ask: "Am I beating myself up?" (Lighten up, don't berate self).
•Ask: "Is this a piano?" (or, "Are you a perfectionist?")
•Ask: "How did I just waste time?"
•Ask: "Would I pay myself for what I'm doing right now?"
•Ask: "Can I do just one more thing?" (Stretch yourself).
Tips for a More Productive Day
Practice the following techniques to become the master of your own time:
1.Carry a schedule and record all your thoughts, conversations and activities for a week. This will help
you understand how much you can get done during the course of a day and where your precious
moments are going. You'll see how much time is actually spent producing results and how much time is
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wasted on unproductive thoughts, conversations and actions.
2.Any activity or conversation that's important to your success should have a time assigned to it. To-do
lists get longer and longer to the point where they're unworkable. Appointment books work. Schedule
appointments with yourself and create time blocks for high-priority thoughts, conversations, and
actions. Schedule when they will begin and end. Have the discipline to keep these appointments.
3.Plan to spend at least 50 percent of your time engaged in the thoughts, activities and conversations
that produce most of your results.
4.Schedule time for interruptions. Plan time to be pulled away from what you're doing. Take, for
instance, the concept of having "office hours." Isn't "office hours" another way of saying "planned
interruptions?"
5.Take the first 30 minutes of every day to plan your day. Don't start your day until you complete your
time plan. The most important time of your day is the time you schedule to schedule time.
6.Take five minutes before every call and task to decide what result you want to attain. This will help you
know what success looks like before you start. And it will also slow time down. Take five minutes after
each call and activity to determine whether your desired result was achieved. If not, what was missing?
How do you put what's missing in your next call or activity?
7.Put up a "Do not disturb" sign when you absolutely have to get work done.
8.Practice not answering the phone just because it's ringing and e-mails just because they show up.
Disconnect instant messaging. Don't instantly give people your attention unless it's absolutely crucial in
your business to offer an immediate human response. Instead, schedule a time to answer email and
return phone calls.
9.Block out other distractions like Facebook and other forms of social media unless you use these tools
to generate business.
10.Remember that it's impossible to get everything done. Also remember that odds are good that 20
percent of your thoughts, conversations and activities produce 80 percent of your results.
TOP 10 STUDY TIPS
Share on facebookShare on twitterShare on emailShare on print
Study isn't just for the night before an assignment's due or the night before an exam. It's never too early or too late - to develop good study habits. The sooner you get into a good study groove, the easier
everything will be and the more your chances of getting good marks will improve.
If you’ve got an exam coming up you might also like to have a look at our Top ten exam tips page.
Main Tips
Here's our top tips for getting the most out of study. Click each link for more about each tip.
1.Pick a Place and Time
2.Study Every Day
3.Plan Your Time
4.Discover Your Learning Style
5.Review and Revise
6.Take Breaks
7.Ask for Help
8.Stay Motivated
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9.App it Up
10.Look After Yourself
1.Pick a Place and a Time:
Everyone has their own idea about the best place and time to study. Whether it's your bedroom
at night or the library after school, find a study space and a regular study time that works for you and
stick with it.
•Set Up Your Study Space - Your study space should be quiet, comfortable and distraction-free. It should
make you feel happy and inspired. Decorate it with your favourite pictures or objects. If you want to
listen to music or burn incense, pick a space that lets you do that.
•Find Your Best Time - Some people work better in the morning. Others work better at night. Work out
which time suits you and plan to study then. Don't study much later than your usual bedtime - pushing
yourself late at night can make you too tired to study properly.
2.Study Every Day:
If you study a little bit every day you'll be continually reviewing things in your mind. This helps
you understand things. It also helps you avoid the stress of last-minute cramming. Early in the year an
hour or two a night might be enough to stay on top of things. Later in the year you might need to study
more each day.If you're finding it hard to find time to study, cut back on some (but not all!) of your other
activities. Prioritising study might mean spending less time online, or it might mean cutting back on
shifts at work, or giving weekend sport a miss for a while.
3.Plan Your Time:
It helps to have some plans in motion so you can make the most of your study time.
•Set Alarms - Set alarms to remind you about your study plans. A regular reminder keeps you honest
and your plans on track.
•Use a Wall Planner - Stick a calendar or wall planner up so you can see it whenever you're studying.
Mark it up with important dates, like exams and assignment due dates. Use it to block out your regular
study timetable too.
•Make To-Do Lists - Lists break tasks down into manageable chunks. At the start of the week, make a list
of the things that you need to have done by the end of the week. Make a to-do list at the start of each
study session too, so that you're clear about what you need to be doing with your time.
•Set Time Limits - Before you start your study session, have a look at your to-do list and give yourself a
set time to spend on each task. If you don't get something done in the set time, consider whether it's the
best use of your time to keep going with it, or to start working on something else.
4.Discover Your Learning Style :
Most of us have a preferred way of learning. Get to know your learning style and study in the
ways you learn best.
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•Auditory learners learn by listening. If you’re an auditory learner you could try reading your notes
aloud and discussing them with other people. You might like to record key points and play them back.
•Visual learners learn by seeing. If you’re a visual learner you could use colours in your notes and draw
diagrams to help represent key points. You could try to remember some ideas as images.
•Tactile/kinesthetic learners learn by doing. If you’re a tactile/kinesthetic learner you could use
methods like role-playing or building models to revise key points.
•Coursework’s at the University of Melbourne has a quick quiz you can take (new window) to see what
kind of learner you are.
5.Review and Revise:
At least once a week you should go back over the things you've studied in class. Thinking things
over can help you to understand the concepts and help you remember when you need them the most.
•Quiz Yourself - Get a friend or family member to quiz you on key concepts. Offer to help your friends
with their work too. Quizzes are great ways to get confident about what you know and find out what you
still need to learn.
•Make your Own Study Materials - Think up some practice exam questions or create your own flash
cards to help you study. This way you learn it all twice: once when you make the study materials and
once when you use them to revise.
6.Take Breaks:
It's important to take breaks while you're studying, especially if you're feeling tired or frustrated.
Working too long on a task can actually decrease your performance. When you take a break, make sure
you get away from your desk or study space. A bit of physical activity - even just a walk around the block can sometimes help you to look at a problem in a different way and could even help you to solve it.
7.Ask for Help :
If you're stuck on something, or something just doesn't seem to make sense, you can always ask
for help. Talk to your teachers or lecturers about the things you don't understand. Talk to your friends
and fellow students too.
8.Stay Motivated:
When you're studying it helps to keep in mind your reasons for doing all this hard work, like a
course or career you're working towards. It can help to have something in your study space to remind
you of your goals.You could also decorate your study space with inspirational quotes or photos of people
you admire and family members you want to make proud of you.
9.App it Up:
There are heaps of apps out there for helping students with all aspects of study. Have a chat with
your friends and teachers/lecturers to see which apps they recommend. You should also check out:
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5 Study Apps - Roving reporter Ellis's recommendations
iPads for Learning (new window) - A searchable database of subject-specific apps
10.Look After Yourself:
You’ll study better if you take care of yourself. Make sure you eat well and get enough sleep and
physical exercise. Don't reward yourself with too many sugary or fatty snacks or push yourself to study
late into the night. It’s also a good idea to make sure you drink lots of water when you’re studying.
Now Come Up with Your Own Strategies :
These tips are only some of the things you can do to get the most out of your studying. You might
already have other things that work better for you. Find out what your friends do when they're studying.
Maybe your teachers have some good recommendations too. Whatever it is, whatever strategy you
come up with, when you find something that works for you, put it into practise and go for it. For more
tips and advice, check out our Online study resources page.
Ten Commandments for effective study skills
I.Be Responsible and Be Active—
For There Is No Other Road to Academic Success!
Responsibility means control. Your grade in a class is relatively free of any variables other than
your own effort. Sure, you may have a lousy professor. It happens. But remember: you are the one who
has to live with your grade. It goes on your grade report, not your instructor's.
If you are seeking a way of increasing learning and improving grades without increasing your
study time, active classroom participation is your answer. Look at it this way: classroom time is
something to which you are already committed. So, you can sit there, assume the “bored student
position1'—arms crossed, slumped in the chair, eyes at half-mast—and allow yourself an "out-of- body"
experience. Or, you can maximize your classroom time by actively listening, thinking, questioning,
taking notes, and participating totally in the learning experience.
II.Know Your "Rot Buttons" and Push Them Regularly!
•The next time you seat yourself in class, ask yourself these questions:
•What am I doing here?
•Why have I chosen to be sitting here now?
•Is there some better place I could be?
•What does my presence here mean to me?
•Your responses to these questions represent your educational goals. They are the "hot buttons," and
they are, without a doubt, the most important factors in your success as a college student.
•College is not easy. Believe it or not, there will be times when you tire of being a student. And that's
when a push or two on the hot buttons can pull you through!
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III.If You Have Questions, Ask Them. If Not, Make Some!
Just as a straight line usually indicates the shortest distance between two points, questions
generally provide the quickest route between ignorance and knowledge. In addition to securing
knowledge that you seek, asking questions has at least two other extremely important benefits. The
process helps you pay attention to your professor and helps your professor pay attention to you.
IV.Know That You and Your Professor Are a Team— Be a Team Player!
Most instructors want exactly what you want: they would like for you to learn the material in
their respective class and earn a good grade. After all, successful students reflect well on the efforts of
any teacher; if you learned your stuff, the instructor takes some justifiable pride in teaching.
V.Don't Park Your Butt in the Back!
Suppose you pay $50 to buy concert tickets for your favorite musical artist. Do you choose front
row seats or the cheap seats at the rear of the auditorium? Why do some students who spend far more
money on a college education than on concerts willingly place themselves in the last row of the
classroom? In class, the back row gives invisibility and anonymity, both of which are antithetical to
efficient and effective learning.
VI.Don't Write in Your Notes What You Don't Understand!
Avoid the " what in the hellis that" phenomenon experienced by most college students. This
unique reaction occurs when students first review their notes for a major examination. Being unable to
read, decipher, or comprehend the mess that passes for notes, students are likely to utter the
expression that grants this particular phenomenon its name.
VII.If Your Interest in Class Is Gone, Fake It!
If you are a good actor, you may even fool yourself into liking the lecture. How do you fake
interest? You simply assume the "interested student position": lean forward, place your feet flat on the
floor in front of you, maintain eye contact with your professor, smile or nod occasionally as though you
understand and care about what your instructor is saying, take notes, and ask questions.
VIII.Know That If Silence Is Golden, Then Recitation Is Platinum!
Recitation is not only good for checking whether or not you know some¬thing, it’s perhaps the
best method for learning it in the first place. Reciting unquestionably provides the most direct route
between short-term and long-term memory.
IX.Remember That Cram Is a Four-Letter Word!
If there is one thing that study skills specialists agree on, it is that divided periods of study are
more efficient and effective than a single period of condensed study. In other words, you will learn
more, remember more, and earn a higher grade if you prepare for Friday's examination by studying one
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hour a night, Monday through Thursday, rather than studying for four hours straight on Thursday
evening
X.Don't Procrastinate—and Start Not Doing It Right Now!
An elemental truth: you will either control time or be controlled by it! There is no middle ground. It's
your choice: you can lead or be led, establish control or relinquish control, steer your own course or
have it dictated to you. When I ask students which they prefer, choosing their own path or having it
chosen for them, they almost uniformly select the first option. In spite of this response, however, failure
to take control of their own time is probably the no. 1 study skills problem of college students.
So, these are the Ten Commandments for Effective Study Skills. They work, but don't take my
word for it. Try them! Use them! Make them your own. What have you got to lose except poor grades
and sleepless study nights?
Motivation
Motivation is the feeling, emotion, or desire that moves a person to take action. It helps people
to make changes, learn something new, perform better, overcome procrastination, and persevere
towards goals
Try creating your own affirmation:
•Use positive words and tones
•Write in the present tense
•Write with certainty and conviction
•Keep it short and simple
•Learn from the past, set vivid, detailed goals for the future, and live in the only moment of time over
•which you have any control: now.
There are two types of motivation:
•Intrinsic- the most powerful of the two, as it comes from within you. It is your driving force that helps
you achieve your goals.
•Extrinsic- inspired by other people’s expectations or goals.
To build intrinsic motivation, consider:
•Positive self-talk is also important in maintaining motivation. It focuses on positive qualities, words of
encouragement, and statements that reflect a high self¬esteem and your belief in your abilities to
achieve.
•It includes statements such as “I can do this!” and “I have the intelligence and skills to do well!”
•Positive self-talk also includes catching negative thoughts when they occur and turning them into
positive thoughts. To help practice positive self-talk, find or create an affirmation that you like.
•Affirmations are positive statements used as motivators. Examples include, “I complete my written
work on time,” “I am a non-smoker,” and “I am successful in whatever I do.”
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Other ideas to help build and maintain motivation:
•Manage your environment. Create a space to work that inspires you, and surround yourself with
people who bring out your best.
•Manage your thoughts. Use visualization techniques, thought restructuring, and affirmations to keep
you thinking positively.
•Set goals. Make both short-term and long- them, and remind yourself of them often.
•Maintain a healthy lifestyle. Exercise regularly, get plenty of sleep, and eat right.
•Make commitments. Making commitments to yourself and others arranges positive and negative
consequences for your actions.
•Monitor your behavior. Keep records of your progress.
•Manage stress. Practice relaxation techniques, reduce stress in your environment, and plan ahead to
stay calm and productive.
Reverse Planning For Exams, Papers, Projects,
Reverse Planning is great for those long-term projects like papers, research projects and exams.
It is a proactive strategy aimed at preventing procrastination and helping to diminish those feelings of
being overwhelmed.
1.Get a paper or electronic calendar/planner.
2.Write down the due date for your major project, paper or test:
3.Take a minute to determine all you will need to do to complete a quality project, polished paper or to
ace a test. Jot down each step.(*It is always better to err on the side of assigning too much time to the
mini assignments. They may take longer than expected, so give yourself plenty of time and you should
have fewer problems meeting your deadlines all along.)
4.Starting on the due date, count backwards on your calendar the number of weeks you will need to
accomplish your goal.
5.Start at your due date and work backwards to plot deadlines for these “mini assignments.” Be specific
about what step you want to have completed and when.
6.Once you have filled in all your deadlines for the “mini assignments,” check and see how close you are
to your original start date. Make adjustments if necessary.
7.The following example, while not comprehensive, demonstrates how to reverse plan for an exam.
Each student must discover the planning process that works best for him/her.
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Subject
Exam Date
Exam Topic
Focus
-Plan
Time Needed to Accomplish Plan
Date to Be Completed
-Plan
-Plan
-Plan
History
2 weeks away
U.S. Civil War
Battles fought in Panipat
Create notecards about army generals
2 hours
Day 4
Rewrite notes
3 hours
Day 8
Create your own quiz from notes
2 hours
Day 11
Review
2 hours
Day 13
Stress
1) Stress comes from many different sources, and is associated with positive events (e.g., preparing to
study abroad) and negative events (e.g., cramming for an exam). Be mindful of how the following
stressors may affect you.
A.Environment: noise, traffic, commuting problems, crowded or disorganized classroom or living
conditions
B.Academic: deadlines, exams, presentations, assignments, competition, conflict or disagreements
with professors/classmates
C.Occupational: concerns about selecting a major; conflicting demands of work, school, and home;
conflicts with colleagues; working too many hours
D.Physiological: lack of exercise; poor nutrition; sleep disturbances; and illness
E.Changes: moving/transitioning; beginning or ending of anything; and loss of a job or familiar
surroundings
2) Stress is beneficial when it allows you to be motivated to complete a project, or
perform at higher levels due to increased adrenaline from stress, but too much stress is unhealthy
3) Pay attention to early warning signs that stress is becoming more intense. Some examples include:
headaches, backaches, insomnia, fatigue, anxiety attacks, mood swings, depressions forgetfulness,
carelessness, and irritability.
4) Stress Reducers
1.Get up fifteen minutes earlier in the morning. The inevitable morning mishaps will be less stressful.
2.Prepare for the morning the evening before. Put out the clothes you plan to wear, pack up your books
and notes, etc.
3.Don't rely on your memory. Write down appointment times, when library books are due, etc. ("The
palest ink is better than the most retentive memory." - Old Chinese Proverb)
4.Procrastination is stressful. Whatever you want to do tomorrow, do today; whatever you want to do
today, do it now.
5.Don't put up with things that work improperly. If your alarm clock, wallet, shoelaces, windshield
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wipers- whatever-are a constant aggravation, get them fixed or get new ones.
6.Allow an extra 15 minutes to get to appointments.
7.Limit the amount of caffeine in your diet.
8.Always establish contingency plans, "just in case." ("If for some reason either of us is delayed, here's
what we'll do..." kind of thing. Or, "If we get split up in the shopping center, here's where we'll meet..")
9.Relax your standards. The world will not end if you don't clean your apartment this weekend.
10.For every one thing that goes wrong, there are probably 10, 50, or 100 things that go right. Count
them!
11.Ask questions. Taking a few moments to repeat back directions, what someone expects of you, etc.,
can save hours.
12.Say "no" to extra projects, social activities, and invitations you don't have the time or energy for. It
takes practice, self-respect, and a belief that everyone, everyday, needs quiet time to relax and be
alone.
13.Want to take a long bath, meditate, sleep, or read without interruption? Allow yourself to
temporarily disconnect. Turn off your home phone, cell phone, pager, etc.
14.Turn "needs" into preferences. Basic physical needs include food, water, and shelter. Everything else
is a preference. Don't get attached to preferences.
15.Make friends with non-worriers. If you want anxiety and worry, associate with chronic worrywarts.
16.Get up and stretch periodically when you sit for extended periods while studying or at work.
17.Buy a set of earplugs. If you need to find quiet at home, pop in some earplugs.
18.Get enough sleep. If necessary, use an alarm clock to remind yourself to go to bed, or schedule it in
your planner.
19.Create order out of chaos. Organize your home/workspace so you know where things are. When
you're finished using something, return it to its place - you'll be less stressed when you haven’t lost
something.
20.Writing your thoughts and feelings down can help you clarify things and offer a different perspective.
21.Try the following yoga technique whenever you need to relax. Inhale deeply through your nose to the
count of eight. Then, with lips puckered, exhale very slowly through your mouth to the count of 16, or
for as long as you can. Concentrate on the long sighing sound and feel tension dissolve. Repeat 10 times.
22.Inoculate yourself against a feared event. Example: before speaking in public, review every part of
the experience in your mind. Imagine what you'll wear, what the audience will look like, how you will
present, what the questions the audience will ask, etc. When you give the actual presentation, you will
likely be familiar with the material, and you will be less anxious.
23.When stress of having to get a task done interrupts actually getting it done, a diversion may be just
what you need (change in activity or environment.)
24.Talk it out. Discussing your problems with a trusted friend can help clear your mind of confusion so
you can concentrate on problem-solving.
25.Do something that will improve your appearance. Looking better can help you feel better.
26.Schedule a realistic day. Avoid the tendency to schedule back-to-back appointments; allow time
between appointments for a breathing spell.
27.Become more flexible. Some things are worth not doing perfectly, and some issues are worth
compromising on.
28.Do one thing at a time. When you are busy with a project, concentrate on doing that project and put
aside other things you have to do.
29.Allow yourself time, every day, for privacy, quiet, and introspection.
30.If you are faced with an unpleasant task, do it early in the day to get it over with; you will no longer
17
have anxiety surrounding that task.
31.Forget about counting to 10. Count to 1,000 before saying anything that could make matters worse.
32.Have a forgiving view of events and people. Accept what you do and do not have control over.
33.Have an optimistic view of the world. Believe that most people are doing the best they can.
Learning to Study Smarter Review! Review! Review!
Daily Review:
•FIRST, Review your class notes for 10 minutes as soon after class as possible. If you cannot review your
notes immediately after class, do so within at least 24 hours of the class.
•Use this time to fill in gaps in your notes (Did you leave something out? Now is the time to fill it in.)
•Then, when you have more time that day, read back over your notes in order to understand the main
ideas & key points. This may take longer because you are learning NEW material.
•Think about what you wrote in your notes...what does it mean?
•Begin to “reduce” your notes (use the Cornell Note-taking Method, for example.)
Weekly Review:
•Find some time at the end of each week to review.Friday afternoon, Saturday morning, Sunday
evening...choose a time that is most convenient for you and stick to it.
•Allot one hour per class (this will vary as some classes will require more time, and some less).
•Look for the “big picture” and connections in the material.
•ACTIVELY ENGAGE in your studying by using note cards, re-writing notes, reading them aloud, playing
back recorded lectures, creating timelines or concept maps/charts/a study matrix Find one the active
studying strategy that works for you.
Pre-Exam Review:
•Begin one to two weeks prior to the test (depending on amount of material, difficulty, etc.).
•Set aside blocks of time to study: One student may choose to set aside eight different study periods of
1-2 hours each, while another student may prefer to study for 2-3 hour blocks at 4 or 5 different times
during the week. The choice is yours and depends a great deal on your attention span and what your
schedule allows.
•Keeping up with Daily & Weekly reviews will ensure that your Pre-Exam review is easier and better
organized. This preparation means cramming is unnecessary.
The key is to start EARLY and KEEP UP!
•Don’t just work by due dates...develop START DATES! Mark START DATES in your calendar.
•Break projects down—make a list of all the different parts to be completed and set deadlines for these
individual projects.
•These strategies will keep you on target to complete your paper, project, or test preparation on time.
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EFFECTIVE STUDY HABITS
Tests and quizzes are more widely used in schools than ever. Teachers rely on written
examinations to show whether students have learned the information presented in class. Colleges and
universities evaluate applicants? performance on entrance exams such as the ACT and SAT to judge
whether these applicants are likely to be successful in their programs. With so much depending on test
results, it is no wonder that students often become anxious about taking tests. But don?t worry! You can
master test-anxiety and improve your performance on exams by following a simple plan; develop good
study habits, use effective techniques to memorize content, take steps to reduce test anxiety, and take
advantage of smart strategies when taking the test. Read through the tips below for ideas that you can
use:
EFFECTIVE STUDY HABITS
It is not enough just to schedule lots of study time. You also need to make sure that you use
effective study techniques. Some smart study tips are to:
Create a quiet, neat study area.
Distractions and clutter interfere with studying. Select a quiet spot where you are unlikely to be
interrupted and organize it so that you can study efficiently. If space is cramped at home use a corner of
the local library or other suitable spot as your „study haven.?
Study from good notes.
Your study sessions will be productive only if you are studying from a legible and complete set of
notes. If your notes are incomplete, see if your teacher has a loaner set of master class notes that you
can review to get the missing information. Or ask a classmate who takes thorough notes if you can
borrow them.
Use bits of unexpected free time to study.
Carry „pocket work? with you to review whenever you have a few minutes of free time. For
example, have a set of index cards with important facts that need to be remembered and understood
clearly. Perhaps write the word on the front of the card and the definition on the back. These index cards
can be pulled out and studied during spare moments—like waiting in a doctor’s office or riding the bus.
Make a study schedule to avoid „time-drains.
? People often don’t realize how much time they spend on activities such as watching TV, texting,
surfing the internet, talking with friends on the phone, and so on. If we aren’t careful we may discover
that our leisure activities „drain away? time that could have been better used for study. Create a general
study schedule, with time set aside for fun activities. Then be sure to limit those fun activities to the time
allotted.
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Take advantage of your peak energy levels.
Pick the time of day when you tend to have the most energy and try to schedule your study
sessions at that time. Also, study your most difficult or challenging material first, when you are still
fresh. When you study at the same time each day, you will also find that studying be-comes a habit!
Create a study group.
Gather together classmates to form a study group. Groups can make studying more fun.
Another advantage of a group is that its members can consult multiple sets of notes whenever a course
concept is unclear. (Just be sure that your group takes studying seriously and doesn?t spend too much
time socializing!)
Teach content as a learning check.
A very effective way to check whether you have learned course con-tent is to try to teach that
information to another person (e.g. a study partner). The challenge of having to put key concepts into
your own words and make them understandable to others will quickly reveal whether you have truly
mastered that information.
Recite information aloud.
One study trick is to recite important information aloud. As you say the information, you also
hear yourself saying it. These two channels for language, speaking and hearing, help to em-bed the
information in your memory. The more senses we use, the more we will retain information.
Pose difficult questions.
When studying, stop every so often and ask yourself, “What question(s) or problem type(s) am I
most afraid will be on the test?” Your answer will give you a valuable hint about what parts of the course
content you still find difficult and should spend the most time studying.
Don’t forget to review previously learned material.
As you study, you start to learn the material. But a single pass through your notes is usually not
enough to cement learning. During each study period set aside time (e. g. at the start of the session) to
review previously learned information or concepts. Remember… review, review, review!
Avoid cram sessions.
Pulling all-night study sessions only tires you out and leave you exhausted on the day of the test.
(And people seldom think clearly when they are tired) Rather than cramming your review into one or
two marathon sessions, break your study up into short periods and study more frequently. Also, start
studying early in the course, well before the test, to give yourself a head start in learning the material.
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Reward yourself.
Select an activity that you find rewarding (e.g. playing a favorite computer game for 30 minutes,
going for a walk, calling a friend). Set a contract with yourself to complete a set amount of studying (i.e.
study Med Term for 40 minutes). If you have met your short-term goal, at the end of the study period
give yourself the reward.
TIPS TO MEMORIZE CONTENT
The best way to remember information from your notes or reading is to set aside enough time to
study it well. Some tips for memorizing information are to:
Intend to Remember.
Remembering well requires that you want to remember. If you have not made a decision to
remember what you are reading/studying, you will forget almost immediately.
Don’t overload the memory.
Seven items is the most our memories can comfortably handle in one bit, but even seven is too
much for most people. Your memory prefers to have only three, four, or five things at one time.
Therefore, if you need to remember something that has more than four or five items in a group, break
the group into smaller bites.
Select the most interesting points.
You can’t expect to remember everything you read - almost no one can. Select the most
important points by looking for answers to questions you have formed. If you try to re-member every
idea, you will probably not remember much of anything.
Organize the material to be learned.
Your memory works best when the information is organized. Organize first. Try mentally „filing?
things according to type, etc. You may understand something when you see it, but if your mental filing
system isn’t working, you may not be able to find the right information when you need it.
Relate ideas to what you already know.
Your memory will store new ideas if you relate them to old ideas. Make an association, create a
mental picture, or use mnemonic devices to relate unknown information to information you already
know.
Read and review using SQ3R
Some people find this method helpful; others don’t. The SQ3R approach is a structured,
thorough method for learning the content of a book chapter or section:
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(1.) Survey the chapter, to get an overview of what it contains. Read the chapter summary and all
headings. Also, briefly pay attention to figures, tables, and illustrations.
(2.) Create Questions based on each of the chapter headings. The questions should be similar to those
that you might find on a test.
(3.) Read through the chapter. As you read, do your best to answer the questions that you developed.
(4.) Recite the questions. From memory, verbally answer each question. (Hint: You can learn even more
effectively if you write down your answers. Your responses can be written as single words or short
phrase so long as they capture the main content of the answer.)
(5.) Review your answers. Compare your responses to the information in the test to make sure your
answers are complete and accurate.
Use mnemonic devices.
These memory devices aid memory, but should be simple, clear, and vivid. You remember the
unusual, the funny, or both.
- Rhymes: This method uses rhyming words to help you remember: EX: “I before E, except after C, or
when sounding like A, as in neighbor and weigh.”
- Acronyms: A word made from the first letters of other words aids memory. EX: “Roy G Biv” — the colors
of the rainbow: Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, and Violet.
- Sentences or acrostics: Memory sentences are made where the first letter of words in the sentence are
the same as the first letters of words that need to be recalled. EX: “Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally” the order of operations in a math problem (parentheses, exponents, multiplication, division, addition,
subtraction). Mnemonic devices are handy when studying for tests, but they should NOT be used as a
substitute for understanding.
Use visualization tricks.
Because we often think in pictures, we can use our „mind?s eye? to help us memorize
information as mental images. (Hint: Silly images can often make the infor-mation even easier to recall!)
Here are a couple ideas for memorizing a list of words or key terms:
Chaining:
First, think of an object to represent each word or term that you must commit to memory. Then
construct a mental „chain? that connects the objects in a short sequence. If, for example, you wanted to
memorize the first four planets (Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars), you might visualize a winged god
(Mercury) planting a Venus flytrap in a pile of Earth while eating a Mars bar.
Familiar places:
Select a location that is quite familiar to you (e.g. your house or apartment). Next, think of an
object to represent each word or term that you must commit to memory. Then mentally „place? the
objects in various places in the location. If you wished to remember the first four planets, for example,
you might pick your kitchen as the familiar location. Then you might imagine that a statue of Mercury,
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that was sitting on the window sill, fell over on the Venus Flytrap on the kitchen table, and spilled a pile
of Earth on the floor, where the candy wrapper from the Mars bar you ate last night was lying next to it.
Test yourself repeatedly.
Memorize the material through repeated self-testing. Look at the first item in your notes; then
look away and try to repeat it to yourself. After you learn each new item, go back and test your-self on all
the previous items.
Over learn the material.
Once you believe you know something, go back to it at intervals and re-learn it. This way you will
be sure to remember it.
Study before going to bed, but not ON your bed! Thoroughly study the material to be learned.
Then go right to sleep without watching TV or allowing other activities to interfere with your new
learning. Your mind will work to absorb much of the material during the night. In the morning, spend a
few minutes reviewing to solidly fix the material in your memory.
TIPS TO REDUCE ANXIETY ABOUT TESTS
Do you sometimes club questions when you know the answer? Freeze during tests? Have
difficulty sleeping as exams approach? If so, you might be suffering from test anxiety. A little
nervousness before a test is good. That tingly, butterflies-in-the-stomach feeling you get from extra
adrenaline can sharpen your awareness and keep you alert. It motivates us to work hard and put forth
our best effort on the exam. However, when we become too anxious that anxiety can undermine our
confidence and interfere with our ability to focus or solve problems. Some tips to reduce test anxiety are
to:
Be sure test anxiety is not an excuse.
Many students say they have test anxiety when actually they have not studied and/or reviewed
carefully and thoroughly. If you are unprepared, you have every reason to be anxious!
Remember to take care of yourself first.
You should be sure to eat healthy foods and to get enough sleep before an exam. After all,
people who are tired and hungry are not in the best frame of mind to perform well on tests! You may
also want to en-gage in moderate physical activity or exercise and/or do some deep breathing exercises
prior to taking the test to release and reduce body tension. A student who gets a full night’s sleep, goes
for a jog, and eats a balanced breakfast prior to taking the test will improve the odds of doing his or her
best on an examination and avoiding the „test jitters.?
Avoid any use of alcohol and drugs.
Some people think that using substances will increase their ability to perform, when in reality
23
they can interfere with your mental ability.
Take practice exams.
People are less likely to become anxious when doing something familiar. If your in-structure
gives you the opportunity to take practice exams, take advantage of this and become familiar with their
format and style. During a study period, take the practice exam under the same conditions that you
would take the real exam (i.e. if notes are not allowed, don’t use yours). If instructors don’t provide
practice exams, use chapter review questions at the end of each chapter, or write your own test
questions from class notes.
Come early and come prepared.
Arrive early so you can do some deep breathing and feel relaxed when beginning the exam. In
addition, you want to arrive early to ensure that you hear the instructor’s comments and explanations
before the test. Make a special effort to bring all the materials needed, including extra pens, pencils,
paper, etc. By showing up on time and prepared, you will not have to waste valuable energy worry about
small details and become distracted from the real goal: doing your best!
Make an effort to relax periodically during the test.
During a test, you may feel yourself becoming tense or nervous. Whenever you feel the tension
building up, take a brief relaxation break, using whatever method works for you. Here are some
relaxation ideas:
- Take several deep breaths, exhaling slowly after each one. Visualize the tension draining from your
body as you breathe out.
- Tense your muscles and hold for 5 seconds, then relax. Repeat 3 times.
- Think of a peaceful, quiet setting (e.g. the beach). Imagine yourself calm and relaxed in that setting.
Pace yourself — Don’t rush through the test.
And don’t be intimidated by students who finish early. Re-search shows that there is no
correlation between high scores and the time students take to finish an exam. Fast students do not
necessarily work more accurately. Remember, there is no reward for being the first one done.
Engage in positive self-talk.
Replace irrational negative thinking with positive self-talk When you have studied hard for a
test, your confidence will be shaken if you think negative thoughts such as “I don?t have a chance of
passing this exam!” Instead, adopt an upbeat but realistic attitude: “I prepared carefully for this exam. If
I relax and do my best, I have a good chance of passing it.” One more tip: if your friends are nervous
about the test, try to avoid talking with them about it. You don?t want their anxiety to rub off on you!
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EFFECTIVE TEST-TAKING STRATEGIES
Become familiar with the test that you are about to take and have a mental plan for how you will
spend your time most productively during the examination. If you follow a positive plan of action as you
take the test, you will be less likely to feel helpless or to be preoccupied with anxious thoughts. Here are
some useful test-taking strategies:
Listen carefully to directions.
Make a point to listen closely to any test directions that are read aloud. Read through written
directions at least twice before starting on a test section to ensure that you do not misinterpret them.
Hint: if you are con-fused or unsure of the test directions, ask the teacher to explain or clarify them. It is
better to seek help to clear up any confusion that you may have than to run the risk of misunderstanding
and completing test items incorrectly.
Perform a brain dump.
At the start of the test, write down on a sheet of scrap paper any facts or key in-formation that
you are afraid you might forget. This „brain dump? will help you feel less anxious about forget-ting
important content. Plus, you can consult this sheet as a convenient reference during the test.
Preview the test.
Look over the sections of the test. Think about the total amount of time that you have to
complete the test. Look at the point values that you can earn on each section of the examination (if
stated). Budget your total time wisely so that you don?t spend to much time on test sections that
contribute few points to your score or too much time on one section, leaving little or no time for others.
General Hints:
Avoid answers with 100 percent words.
All and never mean 100% of the time, without exception. Often choices that include 100%
(absolute) words are wrong. Other 100% words to avoid are: no, none, only, every, always, and must.
If two options mean the same, eliminate both
If both is not a possible answer and two items say basically the same thing, then neither can be
correct.
Validate true responses on “All of the following except.”
In this type of question, you must recognize several responses as correct and find the one that is
incorrect.
Cross out the answers that you know are incorrect.
This helps focus your attention on the most reason-able options.
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When in doubt...guess!
If the test does not penalize guessing, be sure that you write in a response for each test item,
even if you don’t know the answer.
Skip difficult items until last.
On timed tests, you should avoid getting bogged down on difficult items that can cause you to
use up all of your time. Instead, when you find yourself stumped on a tough test item,, skip it and go on
to other questions. After you have finished all of the easiest test items, you can return to any skipped
questions to answer them. AND, questions that follow the skipped „tough? items might provide
information that will help you answer the ones you skipped.
Use leftover time to check answers.
If you finish a test early, use the remaining time to check your answers. On multiple-choice
items, check to see that you answered all the questions. Re-read each written response to make sure
that it makes sense, uses correct grammar, and fully answers the question.
On Scantron exams, stop often to be sure you are placing your answer in the correct number.
Often students hurry through exams and make silly errors — like marking a Scantron sheet
incorrectly. Using a ruler or blank paper to follow the numbers can be helpful in not making such as
error.
Specific Hints for Answering True-False Questions:
Answers with absolute words such as all, always, everyone, never, and only are usually false
Answers with qualifiers such as generally, probably, most, often, sometimes, and usually are frequently
true Simplify questions with double negatives by crossing out both negatives and then determining the
correct answer Mark the statement false if it is partly false.
Specific Hints for Answering Matching Questions:
Read both columns carefully before matching any items Match the items you are sure of first
Cross out choices once they have been used (unless answers can be used more than once) Use all the
matching items if each column has the same number of items
Specific Hints for Answering Fill-in the Blank Questions: Read the questions to yourself so you
can actually hear what is being said.
If more than one response comes to mind, write them both lightly in the margin. Then when you
review your answers later, choose the answer that feels most right to you.
Make sure that each answer you provide fits logically and grammatically into it’s slot in the sentence.
E.g. An __________ lists ideas in a sequence. (The correct answer is enumeration.) Note that the word
26
an signals that the correct answer begins with a vowel.
Remember that not all fill-in answers require only one word.
If you think several words are needed to complete the answer, write in all the words unless the
instructor or the directions indicate that only single-word response will be accepted.
Specific Hints for Answering Essay Questions: Underline key terms.
Before writing your essay, it’s a good idea to underline important terms that appear in the test
question as a check on your understanding. Words such as compare, contrast, discuss, and summarize
will give you clear direction on the form that your essay should take and the content that it should
include.
Here are some key words used in essay questions and a description of what they mean.
- Compare: list the similarities between things
- Contrast: note the differences between things
- Criticize: state your opinion and stress the weaknesses
- Define: state the meaning so that the term is understood and use examples
- Describe: state the characteristics so that the image is vivid
- Diagram: make a drawing that demonstrates relationships
- Discuss: define the issue and elaborate on the advantages and disadvantages
- Evaluate: state positive and negative views and make a judgment
- Explain: show cause and effect and give reasons
- Illustrate: provide examples
- Interpret: explain your own understanding of a topic which includes your opinions
- Justify: give proof or reasons to support an opinion
- List: write a series of numbered items
- Outline: sketch out the main points with their significant supporting details
- Prove: use facts as evidence in support of an opinion
- Relate: connect items and show how one influences another
- Review: give an overview with a summary
- Summarize: retell the main points
- Trace: move sequentially from one event to another
Read the directions carefully
Do exactly what is asked. If the question requires you to list or enumerate such as “List the six
major types of transportation,” write the numbers 1 through 6 with a type of transportation listed after
each number.
Outline your answer before you write it.
No teacher wants to read a rambling essay that fails to answer the test question. You can
improve the quality of your essay by first organizing your thoughts into a brief outline on scrap paper
27
before you write it. Even a few short minutes of planning time can significantly improve the readability
and organization of your essays. And don’t forget to write neatly!
Style and Appearance count!
Be respectful; do not use slang. Avoid empty words. Be direct and descriptive in your writing.
Write in complete sentences. Research has shown that, on average, essays written in a clear, legible
handwriting receive higher grades than essays written somewhat illegibly. Proofread for correct
grammar, punctuation, and spelling.
Write something.
Despite careful preparation, you may forget an answer or find you have little time left. If either of
these things happen, do not leave a blank page; write down something. By writing down something you
give the instructor the chance to give you some points for trying!
Specific Hints for Answering Multiple Choice Questions:
Anticipate the answer and look for something close to it.
Develop an answer in your mind before you read the options. Then look for a response that
comes closest to your anticipated answer.
Don’t get sidetracked looking for patterns of answers.
Some people claim that students can do better on multiple-choice tests if they look for patterns
in the answers. For example, the advice is often given that, on questions with four possible answers,
teachers most frequently choose “C” as the correct response. In rare cases, such patterns may actually
exist — but it is never a reliable strategy to count on tricks and short cuts to do well on a test. Instead,
your best bet is to study hard and rely on your own knowledge of the subject to do well (or at least you
best educated guess!).
Don’t rush.
On multiple-choice items, force yourself to read each possible choice carefully before selecting
an answer. Remember, some choices appear correct at first glance but turn out to be wrong when you
take a closer look.
28
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