V study skills. Task 2 look through these study tips for finals

Task 2 Look through these study tips for finals. Discuss these tips with your partner. Choose those tips, which you think are the most important.

Make a plan:

ü know when your test dates and due dates are;

ü give yourself at minimum a week for preparation;

ü take more time for difficult classes or projects;

ü start with what’s most difficult.

Set goals:

ü write down your goals and post them in a place you see them multiple times a day, tell people about your goals;

ü make specific goals: what grade will you get on your paper? What cumulative GPA will you achieve this semester? What day will you finish your paper?

ü have in mind rewards to give yourself for when you achieve your goals.

Prioritize your actions:

ü use an ABC To-Do List to designate what items are the most urgent and important;

ü break major studying and assignments down into smaller portions that you can check off (consider–it’s not helpful to put on a to-do list “write paper”... it is helpful to put “research sources,” “draft an outline,” “write introduction,” “write 1^st draft,” “take 1^st draft to a Writing Tutor,” “write 2^nd draft,” etc);

ü review past performance – correct any patterns of error and duplicate any patterns of success.

Stay healthy:

ü take breaks from studying or working – for every hour at work, take 5 minutes away;

ü positivity and anxiety are both contagious - surround yourself with people who promote success;

ü communicate with your roommate(s) about sleep, noise, relaxation, etc.;

ü find the best work environment for you by eliminating distractions;

ü SLEEP! Eat (healthily)! Control caffeine intake!

How to Prepare for In -Class Exams:

ü use study tools:

* flash cards – portable, easy to test and mix ideas;

* mind maps – shows relationships;

* summary Sheets – include the most important and most difficult concepts;

* essay questions;

* old exams.

ü understand the difference between understanding something and reciting it in your own words – get to the point of recitation – you know material when you could teach it to someone else;

ü don’t cram until the last possible second – give yourself at least 10 minutes before starting the exam to breathe and relax;

ü try a “brain dump” at the beginning of the exam – on a piece of scratch paper, write down everything you can remember.

How to Prepare Take Home Essays and Exams:

ü understand the assignment in great detail – recite it back to yourself in your own words;

ü set yourself time limits and achievement goals – “I will finish my first draft of 4 pages in 3 hours” then reward yourself;

ü prepare ahead of time – read your sources, take notes, have conversations;

ü make an outline or mind map to organize your ideas;

ü use multiple drafts;

ü use Writing Tutors.