EDUCATION
From taking the test to how to take notes to to study snacks, here are some things to know going into exam season.
by Gwen Goins
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When asked about their study techniques, one sophomore replied “crying is a part of studying.” Since many students feel as though they have no idea how to start preparing for winter exams, I asked Providence Day students the best ways to study. Now, not all of these strategies may be best for you. The whole point is that you have to figure out your way, but seeing what others do may give you some insights.
A wise senior who has survived many exam weeks at Providence Day advises younger students to know the format of the test, do homework and study whenever they can. Reviewing old tests and past exams will also help to get an idea of the type of questions that will be asked. On the night of the exam, write on a piece of paper whatever it is you always forget (formula, vocab words, etc.) and only look over that before taking the exam.
Another tip from this senior is to use to-do lists so one knows exactly what they need to accomplish. This senior prefers a physical list over a electronic or mental list, feeling productive as she scratches off each task completed.
From a Junior’s perspective, one student juggles studying for all his exams by dividing big assignments into smaller, workable tasks. He also champions repetition and explaining it verbally to others. He goes to the quiet room in the library or the Hive or Think Tank. For him, group studying is good for large ideas, but personal studying is better for details and memorization. As he studies, he eats normal food and drinks while avoiding caffeine. He studies mostly in the morning because that is when he'll be taking most of his exams.
Next, I asked a sophomore ways they prepare for exams. She recommended using the last day to relax and not resort to any sort of last minute cramming. She also warned about the dangers of burnout, when you study so much, you can’t any longer. She advises not studying every day and to set aside a day to have a break and goof off. This “reward system” will reserve a whole day to catch up on any shows missed during the week, and allow for a social life and keeping you sane.
The sophomore's opinion on group studying is that it's best if you're “riding the struggle bus.” For STEM subject, do some practice problems alone and without notes because you’ll be without them during the test. She finishes with this final thought: “they can only test you on things you've learned.”
Lastly, one freshmen enjoys studying in the quiet room in the library because it's easy to get “lost in your own little world” and go over what you need to without distractions. She recommends study guides to help list all the topics to review, making it is easy to cross each one off as you finish.
Ultimately, make sure to take care of yourself, too! If you are feeling sleepy, don’t hesitate to take a nap (but nothing more than 90 minutes or it is not a nap). Just set a timer and take a quick power nap:
• 10-20 minutes
• 26 minutes
• 40 minutes
• 60 minutes
• Full cycle → 90 min
Avoid sleeping more than 30 minutes because you'll wake up feeling groggy!
The first exam is Monday, December 14.
That morning, make sure to dress in layers because it's impossible to know how hot or cold the room will be, and bring anything needed to take the test as to not trust someone will have an extra calculator or pencil. Also, even if you normally don’t, eat breakfast and drink water beforehand.
By now, cramming before the test will only hurt, so only bring a little formula sheet and listen to calming music. Think positive thoughts and breathe because this test is not everything and worrying right now will do you no good.
Don’t panic when there’s five minutes and two short answer left. Someone can write a lot in five minutes, so keep writing until you have to stop. Just make sure to keep an eye on the clock and consider the speed of your writing.
Other Resources:
a quiz to tell you what learning style works best for you
a PDF detailing the differences between learning styles
an insightful booklet about dealing with and handling test anxiety
a website that will help edit your papers/writing
Use this website to check for plagiarism incase you are unsure and don’t want to chance Turnitin yet.
How to skate through winter exams
Providence Day Senior Roshnee Sharma studies for her upcoming winter exams
Chairs like this in the library provide a quiet place to study for exams.
“Nobody likes them [exams], even the educators. You just have to deal with them.” -McKenna Kestler, PDS Senior
Here are 10 tips for taking the actual test:
1. Always read the
instructions on the first page. (Some teachers even like to put extra credit in them).
2. Do the easy questions
first.
3. Use good handwriting.
Teachers will have a bunch of exams to grade, so they won’t waste a lot of time trying to figure out what you wrote (Trust me on this one).
4. Read the question,
understand what it’s asking for, and provide specific examples (if needed).
5. If you get stuck on a
question, move one and come back to it later.
6. For multiple choice, use
process of elimination. If you have no idea what the answer is but can narrow down the options to two choices, there’s a 50% chance of getting it right.
7. If you find yourself just
staring at the page and not understanding anything, turn to another page. This tip sometimes helps getting over initial mental blocks.
8. Don’t leave any
problems blank. You may receive partial credit, so give a shot at each one.
9. Once you finish, look
over your work or if it’s math, rework some of the problems. Also, make sure to have actually answered every problem.
10. Complete multiple
choice before the short answer or essays to gather information contained in the questions that may help answer the essays.
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