Studying For A Test
- Start early! An "all-nighter" is the least effective way to study for a test. Schedule several study sessions before a test. Repetition is the key
to remembering. - Attend class, especially before a big test. Ask questions about the test. Find out as much as possible: What will it cover? What type will it be... essay, multiple choice, or true or false? How much time will you have to complete the test?
- Learn the important information. Here are some activities to help
- Using your class notes and your textbook, make flash cards with facts, definitions, people, dates, events, lists, etc. The act of writing the information on the cards will help you remember it. Each time you go through the stack of cards, you are transferring the information from your short-term memory into your long-term memory.
- If you learn better by listening, study with a friend or family member who can ask you the questions or give the answers aloud to yourself.
- Don't forget charts, diagrams and captions to pictures in your textbook. They can contain lots of valuable information.
- Use memory devices for learning lists or parts of something. For items that do not have to be remembered in any particular order, take their first letters and see if you can arrange them into a word or an easily remembered order. For example, the first letters of the Great Lakes spell HOMES.
- Study with a friend - compare notes, ask each other questions, do flash cards together and discuss themes that would make good essay questions.
- Play the role of your teacher. Make up the most difficult test you can and test yourself until you know the answers.
- Use visuals to help you learn - invent charts, diagrams, trees and drawings to help you remember.
- Study past quizzes.
- Study until the answers come to you easily.
Fear And Loathing In Mathsville
Lots of kids experience math anxiety. Here are a few tips to help you deal.
- Remember, it's okay if you don't know how to solve a problem. Mathematicians confront this every day.
- Think of a math problem as an interesting puzzle that you are going to solve. Just like a crossword puzzle, nothing is at stake in your solution, except the joy of coming to grips with the problem!
- Don't expect to solve a problem instantly. Take all the time you need. Logical thinking cannot be done on a timetable.
- Don't expect to remember every tool needed to solve a problem. Right in the middle of a solution, you may need to look up information or examples to help you.
- Find your happy math place. You use math more than you think throughout the day... shopping, sports, etc. You did it then. You can do it now.
- Get help if you need it. Maybe you have a family member or friend that can help or maybe you need help from a tutor. Either way, it's better to ask for help than to never learn the skills.
- Watch The Math Path DVD. Order your free copy here.
Visit the Math and Science Resources page on OKcollegestart.org to get tons of information about resources to help you with your math and science classes.
The Last Minute
First of all... DON'T WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE! However, if you did put it off and now you need some tips on the go... here they are:
- Sing a song. Take some basic concepts from your textbook and transform them into a goofy song, poem or even a rap! For example, "In fourteen hundred and ninety two, Columbus sailed the ocean blue."
- Get a good night’s sleep the night before the test.
- Avoid caffeinated or sugary drinks before taking the test as they can make you jittery.
- Eat a balanced meal. NO doughnuts!
- Wear comfortable clothing.
- If you get stuck on a question, mark it and move on. You can come back to it later.
- If the test permits, do a memory check. Jot down important formulas or information on a piece of scrap paper.
