Studying

How to Reduce Test Taking Anxiety

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Here are some tips to remind yourself of strategies that you can use to reduce any anxiety with taking tests:

  • Be well-prepared for the test that you must take.
  • Space out your studying over a few days or weeks and continuously review the material.
  • Avoid cramming for a test.
  • Keep a positive attitude.
  • To reduce stress, exercise for a few days before the test.
  • Show up to class early to avoid being late.
  • Try to stay relaxed by taking a few deep breaths.
  • Read the test’s directions slowly and carefully.
  • If you are unclear about the test’s directions, ask the teacher to explain them to you.
  • Before you begin answering the test’s questions, skim through the test so you know how to pace yourself.
  • Write down important formulas, facts, definitions, and/or keywords in the margin.
  • To build your confidence, you may wish to answer simple questions first then answer the harder questions later on.  Or, you may wish to answer the questions with the highest point value early on during the exam.
  • Concentrate on your own abilities and your own test—try not to focus on how quickly others finish the test.
  • Skip questions that you do not know and come back to them at a later time.
  • Do not let your mind wander while taking the exam.
  • If you have time at the end of the exam, look over the exam for mistakes that you have made along the way.

Adapted from: 
Ways of Reducing Test Anxiety WHILE taking the Exam 
http://www.testtakingtips.com/

Studying Smart Before Exams

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Many college students feel stressed and overwhelmed when a test or exam is approaching. Implementing these study plan and time-management tips can help students feel more prepared in the lead-up to an exam. These tips are designed to reduce stress and assist with exam prep overall. 

6 Common Study Methods

  1. Image-word association: This memorization tool relies on creating a visual link to a word or concept by associating it with an image. Relating an unfamiliar term to a familiar image can help you to remember it more easily.For example, remembering that Italy is shaped like a boot can help you recall the location of different regions, cities, and landmarks.
  2. Acronyms and mnemonic devices: An acronym is a combination of letters that can be used to help you memorize a term or concept. You can combine the first letter of each word of a compound term or idea to spell a word that is easy to recall. In order to remember the order of items in a series, some students create sayings that begin with the first letter of each item in that series. You can come up with personal and creative ways to use mnemonic devices to study for a test. Create something that is useful and easily memorable to you.A basic example is to remember which order north, east, south, and west appear on a compass: Never Eat Soggy Worms. Notice how the first letter of each term correlates with the order or direction on a compass?
  3. Hide-write-compare: Cover up the definition of each term and try writing it again from memory or reciting it out loud. When finished, compare your answer with the correct definition. You may also find flashcards useful for this type of memorization. Creating them will give you an opportunity to review the material, and then you can categorize them based on the ones you know well, and the ones you need to review more. Repetition is key to building the neural pathways that help us remember information.
  4. Storytelling: Much of the information you already know, such as the meaning of a holiday or the founding of the United States, was presented to you in the form of a story. You’ve probably never forgotten this information because it was taught to you through narrative that you visualize in your head to this day. Storytelling allows you to understand cause-and-effect, which can help you remember more conceptual ideas like why and how something occurred. Instead of looking at your textbook as full of boring facts, turn that information into an exciting story with details that can help you remember. Tell the story to yourself out loud, and to others if you find it helps. If your instructor likes to use storytelling as a teaching method, write down the details they use to help you recall information, or record the lectures to listen to when studying.
  5. Analogy: An analogy is the comparison of two or more things. You can use analogies to compare and contrast specific terms or ideas. There are several kinds of analogies, including parts to whole. Cause and effect analogies are also common. While you can create your own analogies, one of the keys to smarter studying is recognizing analogies that are already in the content you are studying. With practice, you’ll become more skilled at recognizing patterns and analogies that help you digest course material.
  6. Taking practice tests and answering practice questions: For exams that require you to demonstrate practical knowledge through solving math problems or answering essay questions, it’s helpful to use some of your study time to actually practice those skills. If your instructor offers a practice test, take it. This will give you the opportunity to put your theoretical knowledge to work, and make sure you understand how to solve problems or write effective answers. It will also give you a sense of how long it will take you to finish the test, so you can budget your time properly. If you don’t have a practice test, use problems or questions from the textbook or worksheets. Getting accustomed to doing the work will help you prepare for what you will see on the exam, and make you feel less stressed about the unknown.

Determine when to use each study method

Try different methods for different kinds of courses, as your approach to a science course will be quite different from your approach to a reading-intensive course. For example, you may find repetition helpful for an anatomy course, whereas storytelling would be best to test your understanding in a history course.

You might learn or retain information better by looking at pictures or charts, whereas other students benefit more from reciting terms aloud. Remember that there is no right or wrong way to study. Form a comprehensive yet flexible study approach that takes into consideration your course load and the ways in which you will be tested in each of your courses.

 

Creating a Study Plan (and sticking to it!)

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Beyond Access Learning Strategies: Manual Study Methods

This strategy can be provided to Beyond Access students prior to taking an exam or final. The strategy is designed to be introduced within the first few weeks of the semester. The strategy details the importance of creating a study plan as well as six effective strategies for developing a study plan. Repetitive practice of the study strategies can help students succeed in any/all academic classes regardless of major.

What is the importance of creating a study plan?

A study plan is an effective way to help you navigate through your college education, and hold you accountable for your own learning outcomes. Creating a study plan (and sticking to it!) allows you to see how you spend your time, and ensures that you are setting aside enough time outside of class to complete homework assignments, study for tests, and review and retain the information you are learning.

Six Effective Tips for Creating a Study Plan

  1. Analyze your current study habits and learning style: Have your student think about what works and what doesn’t work for them in terms of studying. You can generate ideas together with your student following some of the prompts below:
    1. Are they able to study for long blocks of time once or twice a week, or is it more effective for them to study nightly for thirty minutes?
    2. Are they more productive at a certain time of day?
    3. Do they retain material better if you study a subject immediately after class, or do they need a break first?
  2. Evaluate your current schedule and time management: Have your student create a digital calendar, paper calendar, white board, or some form of agenda to block out all their standing commitments, including classes, work, and extracurricular activities. This will allow them to see how much of their time is already taken, and what time they have available for studying. *If their schedule leaves little room for studying, you can work together to evaluate what they can cut back on, or how they can rearrange their schedule to have more open time for studying.
  3. Plan how much time you need to study for each class: At the beginning of each term, instructors will give out a syllabus for their class. The syllabus will usually include the dates of any major exams or projects. Working together with your student, you can use the syllabi as a guide for calculating how much time needs to be set aside for each class weekly, as some courses might be more intensive than others. It will also help them schedule their independent study sessions to make sure they have enough time to complete all your assignments and prepare for exams.
  4. Develop a schedule: After completing steps 1-3, students should now have a better understanding of how much time they need for studying, and how much time they have available in their week. With this information, work together to schedule their study sessions. Have them add their study sessions to their calendar/agenda like any other commitment. This ensures that they’ll remember this is time set aside specifically for studying. Plan out which subject they will study on which day, to ensure that they are devoting enough time to each subject
    1. For example, Mondays and Thursdays can be set aside for math, while Tuesdays and Fridays can be devoted to English
    2. If their schedule is busy, they may have to be somewhat flexible and creative in finding time to study. For example, if they commute to school via public transportation, that time could potentially be used for reading.
  5. Assess your weekly calendar: At the beginning of each week, have your student determine why need to study and what they plan to accomplish in each study session. Are they preparing for a big exam? Is there a paper due? Have they struggled a bit more with recently taught material than in previous weeks? Have them adjust their study plan as necessary to meet their weekly goals, and get the most out of each study session. *While it is tempting to skip a study session when there isn’t a test looming, studying early will reduce their future test preparation time by reading ahead and preparing for lectures.
  6. Stick to your schedule: A study plan works best when it is followed consistently. Study plans should be realistic based on the student’s availability, learning style, and course rigor/expectations. Remind students they will have to adjust their plan as needed when they switch classes each semester.

4 strategies for sticking to your study plan

  1. Remember to take breaks: If the student’s schedule includes long, multi-hour study sessions, remind them to take brief breaks every so often to stretch, hydrate and rest their mind. This will keep your brain fresh and help prevent them from feeling overwhelmed.
  2. Schedule time for other activities: Remind your student that by achieving a balanced schedule, their mind will be more receptive during time devoted to studying. If you schedule several long days in a row of studying, you will get discouraged and be tempted to give up. It’s recommended that you schedule time for nonacademic activities, such as exercise, hobbies, and socializing with other students, as long as the number of hours of nonacademic activities do not supersede the number of hours dedicated to academics.
  3. Maintain accountability: Some students find it helpful to study with a partner, as it provides accountability, as well as opportunities for discussion and collaboration. When creating a study plan, have your student check with other classmates to determine if they can coordinate study sessions. However, if your student tends to socialize more than study when around others, stick to an independent study plan. If they do have a study partner, make sure it’s someone with whom they are likely to stay on task.
  4. Evaluate study plan and adjust as needed: Study plans are all about helping students be more efficient and productive. If they find that it’s not working, remain positive. It’s okay to make changes as you work together to figure out what works best for your student.