1210212.us16.myftpupload.com Managed WordPress Site

Tag: college and university study tips

  • Ace That Test: Skills to Hit the Mark on Your Exams

    Ace That Test: Skills to Hit the Mark on Your Exams

    We’ve all been there. We’ve pulled in an all-nighter for our exams – or as the old folks would say, “Burnt the candle at both ends”; this does not always work well. If this is a recurring issue for you, here are some pointers that will help you ace that test and, more importantly, without sacrificing a good night’s sleep.

    Take baby steps one day at a time.

    If you expect that you will magically know what you need to know in one sitting, then you will have better luck relying on pixie dust to get a high score. Just as your parents have always reminded you, don’t take more food than you can handle when you’re at a party, and it is the same for your studies. Rather than trying to cram in all the information in one sitting, review your notes in chunks day by day. You will find that you can absorb more information this way.

    Write it down.

    Your ever-reliable notepad or memo on your mobile devices might have done a good job of saving your grocery list or your favourite aunt’s new address; it won’t be enough to help you remember information for your exams. Write notes down the good old’ fashioned way on clean sheets of paper. Now is the time to put your penmanship skills to the test!

    Read aloud.

    Most people think that reading quietly will do the trick to help them retain information. While your neighbourhood librarians will definitely approve of this, it pays much better to read the information aloud. Recording it and listening to it while you are on the go can also help.

    Eat well.

    It’s not an urban legend. There are certain foods that will make you remember things better. Good examples are foods that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as certain fish, nuts like walnuts and almonds, and olive oil. Research even said that eating a combination of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids before the big exam can help reduce anxiety.

    Study with a group.

    No man is an island, and that is true as well when you are preparing for an exam. Studying with your peers will keep you on your toes as you bounce off ideas from one another. You can also take turns in asking each other questions to test your knowledge. How to make this even more fun? The one who answers all questions asked of him or her should get a treat like free coffee for a whole week.

    Studying for those all-important quizzes should not be something that causes you anxiety as if you are getting a root canal. There are ways to pace yourself and hit the mark in return.

    Sources:

    http://learningfundamentals.com.au/blog/top-10-tips-for-taking-exams/

    https://www.examtime.com/blog/study-hacks/

    https://frontpage.gcsu.edu/event/monday-morning-mentor-what-concepts-improve-student-learning-and-memory

    http://al.nd.edu/news/63684-psychology-graduate-student-research-improving- memory/

    http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/health/diet/four-foods-that-will-improve-your-memory-and-brain-health/news-story/96d905dcafc4242513fc38b343d3471b

  • Optimize Your Studying with a Whiteboard: College and University Study Tips

    Optimize Your Studying with a Whiteboard: College and University Study Tips

    Have you noticed that study rooms often include a whiteboard? I have studied at many university libraries and all the study rooms I have used included a whiteboard. (Whether working markers and an eraser were available—that’s a different story.) My old method of studying involved writing and rewriting notes, but one day, I ran out of paper. I grudgingly resorted to writing on the whiteboard…

    And I have never looked back. The whiteboard has become an indispensable studying tool and here I discuss how I have optimized my studying by incorporating a whiteboard.

    1. I have space for diagrams and charts.
    Whenever I drew a diagram on a regular-sized piece of paper, I either had to write really small to fit all the information in or write in readable font size- but leave out some information. The same goes for charts. With a whiteboard, I have so much space!

    Recently, I was memorizing the different classes of antibiotics and their mechanisms of action. I drew a giant bacterial cell on the whiteboard and was able to write the antibiotic names where they acted in the cell. For example, if the antibiotic attacks the cell wall, I would write its name just outside the oval cell. The bonus here is that you can take a picture of this diagram and study on the go!

    2. I can test my memory.
    When you are finished studying a lecture, stand in front of a blank whiteboard and write down a summary of the lecture. Start by writing down the different sections of the lecture and then methodically, write down the important points section by section.

    The point of this exercise is to see how much you have remembered: did you forget a section? If you did, you now know that you need to devote more time to. Did you write down everything? Then you are good to go on to the next lecture. It’s true that you can also try this with a piece of paper—but I argue that given the length of university-level lectures, you simply cannot fit all that information onto one piece of paper. The whiteboard gives you much more space.

    3. I have a reason to get up.
    Sitting in one spot for a prolonged period of time can have negative consequences for your health. I used to think that I had no choice but to risk my long-term health in favour of my grades. Now, by using a whiteboard, I can stand up and pace while studying. This is the kind of multi-tasking that I love.

    Studying is a constant struggle for many people. I am always in search of The One: that one strategy that will help me achieve greater productivity, more efficient studying, and better time management skills. What I have found is that a strategy that works for your friend may not work for you—and there is nothing wrong with that! So my disclaimer is that I cannot guarantee this will work for you, but I encourage you to give it a shot.