Here are my top ten strategies for reviewing study materials and difficult
texts
1.
As I am reading the text I underline or highlight
material I do not understand. These areas I will constantly review and use
other sources that may explain the text in simpler terms.
2.
When I read the text I look if there are
questions at the end to test my knowledge on the subject or I create my own
questions.
3.
I read actively and take notes in my own words,
that way I am able to see how I express ideas effectively.
4.
I f there is a word I am not familiar with I
will look it up in the dictionary.
5.
I like
mapping my notes, that way the information does not look so overwhelming
6.
Also I assure myself that I might not understand
all the material instantly and so I must reread the material over the course of
days or even weeks depending on the difficulty.
7.
Depending on what I am studying, for example the
human body, I might make up a song or create an acronym to help me memorise
details.
8.
When I have a difficult text, I also connect to
the web for example, Youtube or Yahoo answers in order to clarify my queries.
9.
I love to add color and graphics to my material
so that I can easily memorise.
10.
Finally I love to have a study group and discuss
with my peers. For example when I was studying for my chemistry exam my grades
improved greatly with the study group I was a part of.1
My top ten strategies for preparing and taking exams
1. I
begin to prepare for exams from the first day of class, where I constantly
review and reread my assignments.
2. I
study in many short periods of times, so that I do not get fatigue about the
subject
3. I
take proper notes, once you have good notes, most of the battle to pass the
exam is over
4. I
also try to predict questions that will come on my exam.
5. Near
to the exam date I always have some
prepared flash cards to go over materials
6. During
the exam I always read the instructions carefully
7. Preview
how much time I have for the exam
8. If
I am doing an essay I will first create a draft
9. I
always work the easiest questions first
10. I
always leave some time to review my answers, edit an essay or check to see if
questions left unanswered. 2
These above strategies and
methods have worked for me because I proven them with my grades. Once I am
consistent throughout my course using these strategies, I am assured that I
will do well in my exam and this reduces the level of anxiety I will have before
and during the exam. Therefore I go into
the exam confident, and leave confident knowing that I have done my best.2
References
1.
Joe Landsberger (2012) Study Guides and Strategies
Retrieved from http://www.studygs.net/texred1.htm
2.
University of Minnesota (2011) Test Taking Strategies Retrieved
from http://www.d.umn.edu/kmc/student/loon/acad/strat/test_take.html
