college survival guides

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College Survival Guides

5 Tips to Help You Stay Awake in Class

The bane of many students existence is falling asleep in class. Whether youre dozing off because you had a wicked

party the night before, or youre simply blessed to have a prof who has discovered the cure for insomnia, when you

take naps in class youre losing valuable productivity and time considering you already dragged yourself out of yourwarm bed at home. Heres 5 tips to make sure your cheek doesnt end up on the desk next time.

1. Get a good nights sleep before

The most obvious tip comes first because if youre not getting a lot of sleep at night the other tips here arent really

going to help you. Although its possible to be productive and attentive without optimum amounts of rest, being

groggy in a dry lecture will almost assure that your cheek will be on the desk in no time flat.

2. Take notes

Generally in lecture, falling asleep is more due to boredom than actual tiredness. Conquer this by keeping yourself

active through writing notes. I know the novelty of college is most classes have detailed lecture notes online, but by

taking down interesting things the professor says during the lecture, youll stay awake, remember more of the

information, and be better prepared for tests and exams.

3. Take a real interest in the class

At every opportunity in a lecture you should be doing your best to take active interest in the material, no matter how

boring it is. Whenever possible, ask yourself how the material youre learning about applies to your past experiences,

your daily life, and the world around you. This also leads into the next point

4. Ask mental questions

Keep yourself occupied by asking questions in your head about possible applications of what youre learning. Make it

relevant to your daily life as much as you can. This really hit me during Social Psychology. When I was learning about

how people behaved around others it was easy to think of practical applications and come up with thought-

provoking questions that made the class fly by even though the professor was boring. It may seem harder for more

logical courses like math or science, but think outside the box!

5. Daydream!

The average person has an attention span of only 18 minutes. This means that the average lecture period (an hour

long, although some go as much as three!) is about three times longer than most people can sit and focus for!

Capitalize on this bit of knowledge by taking a 2-3 minute break every 20 minutes or so. It doesnt matter what you

do send some text messages, doodle, stare blankly into the middle distance just so long as youre not focusing

on the class. When you tune in again youll find yourself reinvigorated and ready to listen! Repeat as necessary

throughout the lecture.

Im always looking for new ways to stay awake in my genetics lectures, so hit me up in the comments with your tricks

for beating the bed bugs.


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How to Stay Awake During Class

My first quarter of college I didnt know how to stay awake in class. I took an early morning psychology course with

three girls Id met in the dorms. Just before class, we rolled out of bed, stumbled to the lecture hall class with our

eyes barely open, and settled into a row of squishy seats in the lecture hall. Then 3 out of 4 of us would fall asleep

whoever stayed awake would take notes.

Obviously, I did not get an A in that classI was catching Zs instead. So, how can YOU stay awake in class?

As a college student, I can almost guarantee that you need more sleep, so you should start there. You probably dont

want to go to bed earlier, but you should. Give yourself an extra hour every night, and see if that helps. You might

need more. Even a nap can help!

If you live in the dorms, making the above changes still probably wont get you to sleep enough. So just in case, here

are some things that worked well for me when I wanted to stay awake through a lecture:

Take notes by hand

When you take notes on a laptop, you tend to be much less focused, because typing is much more automatic. You

also finish faster and sometimes drift off (or start IMing people). Taking notes by hand is slower, so it makes you

focus on keeping up with the lecture.

Eat healthy snacks

Eating a snackespecially carbs and proteinscan help energize you. I liked taking a bag of healthy cereal like

Cheerios to my very early or very late classes. I would eat the cereal one piece at a time the carbs plus the act of

making myself take one at a time really helped me stay awake. If you need a burst of energy, try eating fruit like

sliced apples or grapes instead of a candy bar. Junk food, obviously, is not a good option.

Drink water

Dehydration can really wipe you out, so bring a water bottle to class with you. Neither soda nor alcohol (which is very

dehydrating) is a good substitute for water to keep your body hydrated.

Get interested in the lecture

A lot of your interest in a lecture is affected by your attitude. If you go in thinking its going to be boring, youll

probably be bored. Even if youre taking a required class, try to get interested in the lecture each day; it will help you

stay alert. Try to learn at least three things you didnt know, and tell someone about them after class. It might sound

kind of lame, but it will help you stay awake and learn.

Good luck! And also, remember to check out my tips about how to stay awake & alert while studying (without

coffee!).
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How to Stay Awake & Alert While Studying (without Coffee!)

October 29th, 2007Jamie

With midterms and final exams rearing their very ugly heads, youre probably

finding that study time is increasingly important. Too bad you have a job, clubs, a

roommate, friends, family, dorm-room sleep hours (read: 3am bedtime), a

cafeteria diet, and a bunch of classes wearing you down. Once you start readingthat text book, suddenly a nice nap seems like a much better idea.

Read on to find out how to keep yourself awake, even if youre studying in the

wee hours of the morning:

1. Drink a Lot of WaterRemember this from my tips on how to stay awake in class? Well, water is even better for staying up when

youre studying. Dehydration can make you sleepy, so keeping your body hydrated will stave off those

symptoms. If you are really sleepy, drink a lot of water to make sure you stay upif you have to get up to go

to the bathroom, it will definitely keep you awake! (Weird, but it works!).

2. Take BreaksYour brain needs to rest if you want to study hard for a long time AND do well on your test. Schedule out

your time so you can take a breakI would study for 45 minutes, break for 15, and so forth. Set the alarm on

your cell phone so you dont forget (or if youre afraid youll fall asleep). Watch a TV show, talk to a friend,

read a book, or listen to some musicbut nothing school related at all!

.

3. ExerciseExercise can be a great way to wake yourself uptake a short walk, dance to some music on your iPod, or

head over to the gym for a little while. Taking a shower after a workout can wake you up even more.

.

4. Dont Study Somewhere ComfortableDont curl up on the common room couch or lean against some pillows in bed and expect to make it through

50 pages of textgetting comfortable is a sure fire way to sleep through your study time. Go somewhere

with good, strong lighting, a non-squishy chair, and a table or desk. Sit up while you study, and change

positions now and then.

.

5. Eat a SnackGet your blood sugar up by eating a healthy snack (junk food will just give you a burst of energy but thenyoull crash). Apples are a good food to help you keep your blood sugar stable so you can stay awake (a lot of

people say they will wake you up better than caffeine!)

Remember, I also shared some ideas to help you stay awake in class, so if youre really sleepy, you might want to try

those, too! Good luck!
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How to Develop Good Study Habits for College

College is an entirely different situation than high school. Classes consist of far fewer grades, but they are worth it

when you are done. Some classes have only a midterm and final. This being said, it is important to stay caught up. Do

not tell yourself, "I'll read the assignment later," because often times you merely end up cramming right before the

test; research indicates that cramming is not the most effective way to study, so try to avoid it if possible.

Steps

1. Review the lesson plan prior to class. Skim through the textbooks. Try to buy your textbooks a few weeks beforethe semester begins for a glimpse of your classes.

2. Take quick notes in class. (see tip)3. If you read the material before class you will have an idea of what doesn't make sense, and concentrate of

your professor's explanation. Why are you buying the textbook for it to collect dust? They have textbooks and

lab manuals for a purpose. You will be graded mostly on the book because this is mainly the bulk of the class.

4. Don't make notes on what's already in the book, it wastes your time and attention . Highlight the partsemphasized, and listen to the way your professor relates it to what you've already learned.

5. If it's repeated more than twice it's going to be on the test .6. Study for at least a total of an hour everyday before the next class . For each lecture hour you should expect at

least 1-3 hours needed for study- more if it's a challenging class. Studying could involve reading the book,

checking out your notes, assignments, using the DVD with the book, browsing the web for information on your

class, etc.

7. Don't let social activities take priority before studying . If you have to be social, it is great to have a study group.8. Plan your breaks in the short and long term. If you must make the Saturday night party, know you'll have to

spend the afternoon at the library. If you're spending the day hitting the books, plan an hour off at suppertime,

and a treat for dessert.

9. Study groups help some remember material, and clarify difficult points and is a great way to have a social lifein college at the same time as studying.

10. If your friends are in different courses plan on getting together for stress busting periods, especially duringexam week. Midnight power walks make great memories.

11. If you are not the person to concentrate, try to lighten your load of classes. 12 credits is a good amount ofcredits to schedule for each semester. That will ensure up to 12-24 hours of studying, assuming that each class

has at least 1 hour of studying per credit.

12.Always memorize bolded vocabulary words in the textbook . These might not be covered by the professorbecause he'll assume that you're already reading the text. So beware, even things not lectured on may appear on

the test.

Tips

The problem about studying isn't the actual studying itself, rather it's the getting started part. Most people findthat once they have gotten started, it's much easier to continue.

If you know yourself well enough that you know that you probably won't study for an exam until the few hoursbefore it, then you could try fixing this by tricking yourself. Write it in your calendar and convince yourself the

exam is on a certain day, when it's really a week later. If you get into that mode, it's much easier to start studying

and continue studying.

A very wise professor once said, "How and when to study? Study like there is always going to be an exam thenext day. That way when there is, you've been studying for it for weeks."

If highlighters and Post-It notes help you organize and stay focused don't hesitate to put them in the budget. It'sa small investment, and you'll be committed to USING your investment,
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To take quick notes abbreviate everything, for example: (message = msg, take = tk, learn = lrn); just make up yourown abbreviations, you'll come up with what works best for you in no time.

You remember things better in short amounts of time - do not study for 4 hours; you will only forget half thethings you read. Study for an hour, then take a 5 - 10 minute break to walk around, and study for another hour.

Be committed to making the break work for you too- don't get distracted for an hour, make sure you get back

within the time you've set for yourself.

Listening to calming classical music and chewing gum while you study are helpful items that can help youremember things better. If you don't like classical music, trance is another style of music that stimulates the

brain, light jazz is also good because it makes you productive, and new age to relax your mind. Music that is

played at a rate about 60-80 beats for minute creates Alpha waves, which is the mind at a state of relaxation and

that may help concentration. Look for classical and new age works that have keywords such as Adagio, Andante,

Dolce, Pastorale, etc.

Coffee or energy drinks could help, but substance abuse is a huge black hole. Use them occasionally, but dependon your own good work for quality results.

If you don't study for an exam even though you should have, don't beat yourself up. It actually makes you avoidstudying. Instead, tell yourself that you *will* do better next time. Make yourself determined. When questioning

on whether or not to study, remember the time that you didn't and felt terrible after the exam. use this to

motivate yourself. Always give yourself a break time and always plan things out one by one. Viewing three tests as one obstacle can

become overwhelming.

Everyone hits a point that they don't understand, or has a paper they're frustrated enough to quit over. Don't letthat one obstacle ruin you- get help from your professor, your study group, whatever, and solve the problem.

Quit only after the problem is solved, if you still want to.

Do the subject you don't like first, and move towards the easier tasks. You'll last longer and get more done. It isbest to study for class with the most credits. 4 and 5 credit classes have the highest tuitions and have the most

bulk for assignments, and may require a lot of memorization and anaylsis.

Listening to music can also enhance your study ability by a lot it doesn't matter what you listen to. People saylistening to music keeps the thoughts in your head the next time you study because you remember the music

and what you have studied wile listening to the music.

If you suspect if you have ADHD and whatnot, try to get some help.Warnings

Stay away from distractions while you are studying like computers, TV, non-soothing music (music with lyrics candistract you), etc.

Do not study if you're tired. But don't go with "I'm tired" all the time. Sleep, or go out and exercise, and startagain.

If you're going to a party, budget the party AND the sick hangover time as down time in your schedule. Don't tryto work through- you'll waste your energy and get frustrated.

Do not cram; there is no point in trying to, because you will only remember very little and it won't help yourfuture career because you'll have rotten recall.

During all nighters you'll lose as much information from sleepiness as you'll learn from the extra time spent. Stayup late, but make sure you're budgeting at least 6 hours for sleep, even on your night before the big exam. Your

brain processes what you've learned in your sleep.

Don't abuse substances too much. Don't use tobacco. Often times, caffeine as well will lead to jitters making itimpossible to get any decent studying in.


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How to Create Good Study Habits for Exams

Taking exams can be a time for stress and anxiety if you have not studied during the year; you will find yourself

cramming for each test and studying late into the night. With a little time management during the school year, you

not only minimize stress at exam time, but maximize productivity and results!

Steps

1. Buy an extra notebook for each subject at the beginning of the year so that as you finish a chapter in class, youimmediately write notes and summaries in that book. The classwork will still be fresh in your mind so at exam

time you merely have to take the notebook home from school. Write down the key points you learned from each

lesson onto a cue card. This helps your mind to retain the day's important facts. On the weekends look over the

cue cards. Get your parents or friends to quiz you on them.

2. Record your notes on a digital voice recorder or another device (you can also use your phone), listen to themin your spare time, listen to them as you would an audio book, concentrate on the words and try to memorize

them as you hear them. Researches also found that listening to sounds during sleep enhance memory.[1]

3. Learn how to make mind maps, cluster maps, powerpoints and other memory aids. Mind maps are graphicalillustrations of a subject and a great memory tool to use, especially during exams. These tools are great for flash-carding and memory-retrieving.

4. As soon as you finish a topic take out a book from the library and read more information about the subject .Take notes to refer back to them before and at test time.

5. Don't do rough drafts for essays. Just do the good copy straight away, but thoroughly as well. In an examsituation you won't have time to write out a whole draft copy, so practice writing out good copies straight away.

6. Make a timetable for exam days by marking the dates on a calendar, so you can be prepared by the time thetest comes around.

7. Make a list of your classes and the topics covered in class. As you study a topic, mark it in a way that ismeaningful to you, to remind you which topics have already been studied.

8. Set aside a study time each day when you are not too tired, or too hungry . If you are going to study for a longtime, remember to take a break in between.

9. Set up a study group. Study groups share notes, thoughts and ideas or how to solve or understand a particularproblem. Be sure to honor the class rules on what work may or may not be done in groups.

10. Plan out 'trial' exams for yourself. All you have to do is redo one of your past tests or quizzes within a time limit.Get into the exam mode by clearing your work desk of everything except your paper and pen.

11. Get enough sleep at night. It's harder to concentrate when you got less than six hours of sleep the night before.12. When choosing individual subjects to study, start with the least enjoyable or the most difficult subject. Master

it, and you'll end up loving it. At the very least, you won't have to worry about putting it off until it's too late

because you don't like it13. Follow a daily timetable,on the first day it will be a challenge;second day it will become a practice and the

third day it will become a habit.

Tips

Don't panic on exam day. On the night before the exam, and in the morning of read through your notes a fewtimes, then put them away.

Don't panic if you have not studied well. Just think over the question and you might remember something theteacher taught you. After all, you are studying things that men/ women have discovered before without previous

knowledge. Make your own reviewer. Write your keywords in every topic and use different colors of ink for easy recognition.

When you make this, get all the resources you can have and make sure it would be done personalised so you can

enjoy it!
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Eat a healthy breakfast that day, so you feel energized, but don't eat so much that you feel full. Something toconsider is a study that says males do better on tests if they are slightly hungry, and females do better on tests if

they are slightly full. Again, don't overdo it.

You gain less by studying for exams at the last minute. One way to think about it is to start studying for the nextexam as soon as you get the material, don't wait until a week before the test to start.

Try and have all your study notes complete at least 2 weeks before the exam. This allows you plenty of time towork through past papers for revision and go over and re-read anything you're a bit hazy on.

In the lead up to exams, try and get your hands on some exam papers for previous years. Doing these before thereal exam will give you an idea as to what you'll be up against and will highlight anything you still need to revise.

If you suffer from exam stress then take a calming antidote, perhaps an herbal tea. Just don't overdose becauseit'll make you drowsy.

Don't stress out, it makes your mind work slower. Have a balance in life, exams are simply a quick and lazy way to assess people. Don't panic, just study. Develop a positive attitude towards exams. If you are well prepared you'll walk into the exam room thinking

"WOW! I can't wait to prove myself to these examiners, I'm gonna Ace this test, just to show them." Negative

attitude: "Oooh, I'm so nervous. I hate exams; what's the point? I really don't feel up to this".

Ever heard this? "Good luck with your exam!" This is false hope, you shouldn't need a pint of luck to help yousucceed,and if you DO need good luck, then you obviously haven't prepared enough.

While some can be, most exams aren't really this big. Exams are really just large quizzes with a time limit. No bigdeal.

During the exam, avoid blanks. Try as hard as you can to make an intelligent guess. Take the closest answer butremember not to take too much of your time in answering one item. Go back and review your answers after you

finish the exam, if you still have time.

Warnings

If you have not prepared yourself for the test, during the term, and before the test, do not expect a high mark! Don't cheat. It is very dishonest and rude. Too much study can be as bad as not enough study because the mind shuts down when too much information is

crammed into it.

Mind blanks are possibly the most frightening things to occur in an exam. They can happen in any subject, butyou can overcome them. The only way to overcome mind blanks is to relax the brain from its hysterical state. In

the exam room, close your eyes, breathe in for 5 seconds and let it release through the mouth automatically.

Repeat this until you can feel the facts crawling back into your memory.

Don't try to learn a new chapter a day before the exam; instead, revise what you already know. Practice lots ofpastpapers as possible, so that you are familar with examboard tricks.

After you take the exam, scan all your answers and check for spelling or other minor mistakes. Check before youregret!
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You may find it easier to keep two notebooks--one for your "rough draft" notes, and another for your rewritten

notes.

Some people type their notes, but others find that handwriting enhances their ability to remember the notes.

The more paraphrasing you do, the better. Same goes for drawing. If you're studying anatomy, for example, "re-

draw" the system you're studying from memory.

7. Learn the most important facts first. Don't just read the material from beginning to end, stopping to memorizeeach new fact as you come to it. New information is acquired much more easily when you can relate it to

material that you already know.

When you are beginning to study a new chapter, it will make the information it contains much more meaningful

and easier to learn if you first take a few minutes to read the introduction, the headings, the first sentence of

every paragraph, and the chapter summaryto get a good idea of what the chapter is about before going on to

read the chapter as a whole. (Word for word, these portions also contain more information that is likely to be

asked about on a test!)

If you can, use a highlighter, or underline the most important points in the body of the text, so that you can spot

them more easily when you review the material. It also helps to make notes in pencil in the margin in your own

words to summarize or comment on important points. (These practices may make your textbook worth less

when you sell it back to the bookstore, but it may make it worth a great deal more to you at test time!)

You can also read just these portions in order to quickly review the material you have learned while it is still fresh

in your memory, and help the main points to sink in.

This is also a great way to review the most important ideas just before a test, when your time is especially

limited.

It's also a good way to periodically review in this manner to keep the main points of what you have already

learned fresh in your mind if you need to remember a large amount of material for a longer period -- for a final

examination, for a comprehensive exam in your major, for a graduate oral, or for entry into a profession.

If you have enough privacy, it also helps to recite your summaries aloud in order to involve more senses in the

activity of learning, like listening to music over several channels at once. Incorporate your summaries into your

notes, if there is a connection.

If you're having trouble summarizing the material so that it "sticks" in your head, try teaching it to someone else.Pretend you're teaching it to someone who doesn't know anything about the topic, or create a wikiHow page

about it! For example, Memorize the Canadian Territories & Provinces was made as a study guide for an 8th

grade student.

8. Make flash cards.Traditionally, this is done with index cards, but you can also download computer programsthat cut down on space and the cost of index cards. You can also just use a regular piece of paper folded

(vertically) in half. Put the questions on the side you can see when the paper is folded; unfold it to see the

answers inside. Keep quizzing yourself until you get all the answers right reliably. Remember: "Repetition is the

mother of skill."

You can also turn your notes into flash cards using the Cornell note-taking system, which involves writing

grouping your notes around keywords that you can quiz yourself on later by covering the notes and trying to

remember what you wrote based on seeing only the keyword.
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9. If your textbook has a vocabulary section, a glossary, or a list of terms, make sure that you understand thesecompletely. You don't have to memorize them, but whenever there is an important concept in a particular field,

there is usually a special term to refer to it. Learn these terms, and be able to use them easily, and you will have

gone a long way towards mastering the subject itself. (Besides, teachers frequently draw from these lists as a

quick and easy way to make up test questions!)

10.Make associations. The most effective way to retain information is to "tie" it to existing information that'salready lodged in your mind.

Take advantage of your learning style. Think about what you already learn and remember easily--song lyrics?

choreography? pictures? Work that into your study habits. If you're having trouble memorizing a concept, write a

catchy jingle about it (or write lyrics to the tune of your favorite song); choreograph a representative dance;

draw a comic. The sillier and more outrageous, the better--we tend to remember silly things more than we

remember boring things!

Use mnemonics (memory aids). Rearrange the information is a sequence that's meaningful to you. For example,

if one wants to remember the notes of the treble clef lines in music, remember the mnemonic Every Good Boy

Deserves Fudge = E, G, B, D, F. It's much easier to remember a sentence than a series of random letters. You can

also build a memory palace or Roman room to memorize lists like the thirteen original colonies in America, inchronological order. If the list is short, link the items together using an image in your mind.

Organize the information with a mind map. The end result of mapping should be a web-like structure of words

and ideas that are somehow related in the writer's mind.

Use visualization skills. Construct a movie in your mind that illustrates the concept you're trying to remember,

and play it several times over. Imagine every little detail. Use your senses--how does it smell? look? feel? sound?

taste?

Make a study sheet. Try and condense the information you will need into one sheet, or two if absolutelynecessary. Bring it around with you and look at it whenever you have downtime during the days leading up to

the test. If you type it up onto the computer, you can get a lot more control over your layout by changing font

sizes, margin spaces, etc.

11.Make it a group effort.Get some friends together--friends who are actually interested in studying, that is--andhave everyone bring over their flash cards. Pass them around and quiz each other. If anyone is unclear on a

concept, take turns explaining them to each other. Better yet, turn your study session into a game like Trivial

Pursuit.

Tips

Try to stop being distractedresist the urge to go on msn or facebook. This way, you can manage your timeefficiently and get work done faster which leaves more time for sleep.

Ask before you sign up whether or not a particular instructor gives six credits of work in a three credit class, orwhether or not he or she is a good teacher. If the answers to these questions are not to your liking, and it's still a

class that you have to take, be sure that you are not taking too many other difficult classes at the same time.

Keep Hydrated. A 2% decrease in hydration can cause up to 20% loss of focus. (Just make sure that your"hydration" is non-alcoholic!)

You should be alert and your mind should be calm before you begin your studies. Study the most challenging subjects first. Tackle them when you're most alert. Studying with a partner who is as serious about the subject as you can be a good motivator to work harder.

Organize the study session into parts, review notes, outline the chapter, and discuss concepts. (Try to teach it to

each other so that you are sure you both get it.)
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You can use hypnosis or self hypnosis to make sure you get enough sleep, overcome mental blocks, andexperience the positive emotions associated with the achievement of your goals now, in the present when they

are most needed for motivation.[4]

Begin to study 30-90 minutes after a meal. If possible, study no more than 20-50 minutes at a stretch. Late night studies are usually a waste of time. Try not to just memorize whatever you have learned. Understand it and say/write the answer in your own

words, and try to teach the material to friends or to an imaginary audience. (For example, how would you

explain it to your mother, or your boyfriend or girlfriend, or your little sister?)

Pay attention in class. Sit where you are able to see and hear what is going on.1. Don't hesitate to ask questions or seek extra help during office hours if something is not clear to you.

Many instructors have said, "The only dumb question is the one that isn't asked!"

2. Try not to be absent when an important subject is going to be discussed.3. If you are absent, try to borrow the notes of somebody who is a good note-taker.

Try typing. (If your word processor has an automatic outlining feature, this is often a great help in rapidlyorganizing and making your notes more meaningful!) Word process all your notes into multiple summaries. Print

out and highlight the important pieces. Word process these pieces, print out and summarize again. This will take

the stress off writing with your hands, and it may speed up the process, as well as allowing you to study longer.

Another strategy is to make a Powerpoint Presentation on the subject. If you can, it helps to "treat yourself" by giving yourself a special reward when you finish a meaningful unit of

work.

1. Just don't make the intervals between rewards too long , or the rewards too weak.2. If you stop and take time to think about the possibilities, you should automatically be able to sense

what will work for you and what won't.

Warnings

Watch out for inclinations to procrastinate. For example, are you reading this article instead of studying? Allyour efforts will not lead to success, if you procrastinate, and you'll end up blaming your tools.

Your attitude greatly helps the outcome of yourstudying. If you're so excited you can't breathe, you are notgoing to want to sit down and read about the Mesopotamian Era. Try to regulate your moods when it's time to

hit the books (e.g. don't sign on to instant messaging to talk with your friends about that cute new guy ten

minutes before you have to study the table of elements).

If you cannot study because you are just too tense, or something is worrying you, it may be necessary to gaincontrol of your emotions before you are able to successfully study on a regular basis. If you are not able to do

this on your own, you may need to consult a school counselor.

Make sure you're not too comfy; you can fall asleep doing so! Sit in a sturdy chair with all your notes on a desk.Pillows are not needed to study. Don't relax too much and think that the test is going to be so easy; if you do, you

might end up leaving something out because you think it's not worth studying!
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How to Maintain a 4.0 GPA

Want to get good grades in middle school and high school? It isn't as hard as you think it is. Just follow along.

Steps

1. Bring your grade up to a A+ or higher if you have not already done that. Don't worry, you don't have tomemorize your textbooks; just turn in your homework on time, pay attention in class, and try to know andunderstand material that will be on tests.

2. You're going to need to get organized. Get a binder and notebook for each subject. Get rid of old papers orassignments unless you think you'll refer back to them. You also will need to get a notebook to write your daily

homework in.

3. Take solid notes, and don't forget to revise them. Use the notes you take in class as rough drafts, and rewritethem when you get home. If you have any doubts or questions, don't be afraid to ask your teacher.

4. Finish all your homework. Homework is an easy way to keep your grade up. It generally covers material you'vealready learned, so if you pay attention, it should be pretty easy.

5. Don't forget to study. Next to homework, it's the most important thing you can do out of class. Make sure youdevote enough time to each subject that you can have a good grasp on what you're learning.

6. Extra credit isn't as bad as you might think.It's just a bit more work for a boost in your grade. After all, it's notlike your grade can go down after doing it, right?

7. Don't ditch. You can't get 100% if you don't show up and don't do the work. If you absolutely have to miss class,bring in a note so you get excused from the absence.

8. Once you have an A, keep studying and doing your assignments . Repetition is key.Tips

Don't wait until the last moment to finish an assignment! The quality of the assignment will go down if you arerushing it. Likewise, don't procrastinate while telling yourself that you'll "do it later". Start now, and take as much

time as you need.

Study, using flash cards or outlines. Study a week before a test, not at the last minute. Finish homework early so you aren't stressed out. Return any library books before due date. Try to avoid getting in trouble. Don't skip and be tardy to class as little as possible. Stay healthy. Get at least 8 hours of sleep a night. Also, drink lots of water. If you are having trouble with the class material, ask the professor or teaching assistant for clarification of

difficult concepts. This seems like a no brainer, but many students feel embarrassed and never get the help theyneed. This simple tip will save you precious study time, and show the professor how determined you are in doing

well in her/his course.

Things You'll Need

Pencil Note Book A Binder for each subject Teacher Laptop/Computer
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How to Maintain a High GPA in College

College can be tough. But you want to have impressive grades so you can get a good job or go to graduate school.

Here is how to maintain a 4.0 in college.

Steps

1. You have to want it. This is the most important step. If a 4.0 is your number one priority, you will get it. Thismeans you will be ready to make sacrifices like going out with friends, keeping up with your favorite tv shows,

and sometimes sleep.

2. Always show up for class. If attendance is part of the grade always show up. You should attend class regularlyregardless if attendance is required.

3. Remember that studying is similar to working out--it's done best in shorter periods regularly . This means studyconsistently (it may be daily) and don't crash study. Learning to study for long periods of time is an important

skill as well. It may be hard or impossible at first, but it can be mastered.

4. Make college your priority. Only go out when you don't have work to do, which will most likely be never.5. Get organized-make sure that you know when tests are and exactly what you have to study .6. Having a full-time job may keep you on track and make sure NO time is wasted . However, if you are at a point

where you are not sleeping regularly, a job may be a good thing to cut out. I recommend finding a job where you

can study like university library or secretary position.

7. Take a full course load but level it out . Take a hard class or two with two easy classes. Don't take chemistry,calculus, zoology and trig all in the same semester. Be careful of the tricky 1 or 2 credit courses. They can be very

time consuming, even more so than a 3 or 4 credit class. Sometimes, you will have to take a full course (generally

after higher level major classes have started and gen eds have ended), and a study schedule becomes critical.

8. And lastly remember why you are in college . You are there to learn so don't moan about going to class -- see itas an opportunity to improve yourself. Take pride in your commitment to your studies. However, do not neglect

the fact that you will become depressed and have no friends if all you ever do is study. Staying sane is half the

battle, and having friends should remain a priority.

Tips

Join a study group. Pay attention in class. Keep an eye on your grades. Make sure your professors stick with the grading terms they gave on the syllabus. Contact the appropriate

authorities if they don't follow the terms they set. However, if it is not the end of the year do not alienate your

professor. Utilize the school library. Study rooms will isolate you from the world's distractions and allow you to better focus

on your assignments. One hour of work completed in the library is the equivalent of three hours in the dorm

room.

Do not neglect physical appearance, working out, hobbies, or friends. Who cares if you have a 4.0 if you havenothing else.

Learn to work with perfectionism. See a counselor if you find yourself becoming depressed. Pick a major that plays to your strengths. For example, I am a chemistry major because chemistry makes the

most sense to me. I work a lot less hard and am more successful than some of my cohorts who chose the major

for different reasons.
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Warnings

Don't overwork. If you are stressed it will make it more difficult to study. DO NOT pull an all nighter. Know that you will be able to critically think better and be more productive the day of

if you sleep.
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How to Do Well in College

College life can become a great struggle because students have to balance school, a social life, and sometimes a job

as well. The following steps could help the grades of college students.

Steps

1. Go to class. Even when you don't feel like it. Just go. You might get participation points, and the professor willalso get to know you better. It will keep you in the flow of the class, and prepare you for anything that might

come along. Many classes have in class assignments, pop quizzes, and case studies that only could be taken in

class, if you are not there, you might lose points.

2. Stay organized. College is all about multitasking. Planners can really help you to balance homework, due datesand tests. You should try to get your work done early, then you will have less stress. Some colleges have an

online learning tool to help you keep track of assignments and the like.

3. Be business-like about your education. If you had a job you would have to go to your job at 9 AM and stay thereuntil 5PM. The rest of the day would be your own time. If you did the same thing in college, you would do great.

Go to class, go to the library, study seriously, at 5pm put away the books and go home. Once in a while you might

have to work late, just like at a real job, but in general if you were spending 40 hours a week attending to schoolyou would be a Dean's List student. Act like a professional, adult person.

4. Find your own best method of studying. For example, study at a desk . When taking tests, take your time intoconsideration so that you can complete the test to the best of your ability.

5. Balance work, school and social life. Many students start to mess up in college because they want to hang outwith their friends every minute. There will always be time for partying in college. Pull yourself away from

partying so that you can take care of business.

6. Use your time effectively and efficiently. Do not procrastinate on assignments. Try to make progress every dayon what is assigned. For example, if you have a report due in 6 weeks, do not wait until 3 days before it's due to

begin working on it. Instead, work on it every day for 30 to 60 minutes. Once you get into it, it will actually be

enjoyable seeing the progress unfold versus being stressed out and worried about an important assignment that

has been put off and whose due date continuously gets closer and closer

7. Be sure to take care of your health. Ancient Greeks said " " which means "a healthymind in a healthy body". Join a sports team or exercise, don't overdo the junk food, and try to get as much sleep

as possible. Not only will you feel better, you'll be able to think and learn better too.

8. Maintain 100% effort through semester. Some students start better than they finish. They do that in order togive themselves room to slack near the end of the semester, which can be a costly mistake. Push yourself to do

your best on every assignment given out and make sure to check your syllabus to see which assignments are due

when. Stay on top of your game and don't lose focus.

9. Always try to keep a positive attitude and have confidence.Tips

Take notes about important lectures. Seek out and take advantage of student support services such as tutoring, counseling, scholarships and services

for students with disabilities. Don't wait to ask for help. You are paying for these services. Use them!

Consider studying in places that are agreeable and productive for you. For example, consider studying every dayin fast food restaurants after eating lunch.

Take notes and quickly review them from time to time. Try to pick out from your notes what you obviously donot know or what you are unfamiliar with. What took an hour to take notes on may only take 5 to 10 minutes toreview.

When coming up on an exam, objectively evaluate what your weaknesses are and try to quickly get better inthose areas that may be on the exam.
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If you miss a class because you were ill or for some other reason, ask the teacher what material you missed andstudy it.

Warnings

Even if you only miss one day of your classes, you fall behind. So, try to show up to every class.


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How to Get a 4.0 at College and Keep It

Achieving a 4.0 is no easy feat and it will take hard work and dedication, but if you are willing to put in the time and

effort, come graduation time you will have many more options in graduate school and employment.

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Hard work Dedication Good Study HabitsStep 1

Keep your school work your number one priority!!

-Even if you have a part time job or are involved in extracurricular

activities make sure to never leave your studies on the back burner.

*If you think you can still get a 4.0 while partying every weekend then try, but when you end up with a

2.0 don't come crying to me.

Step 2

Pick your schedule and teachers wisely

-There are many resources out there where you can look up your professors like Ratemyprofessors.com .

Before you take any class in college make sure you know what you're up for

*It's ok to take more then 18 credits if you think you can handle it, but I highly suggest starting out your

first semester easy with a low number of credit hours and then working your way up.

Step 3

Relax......

Always remember that success in college is determined by a lot more than just grades.

Get involved, network and lead.


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How to Get a 4.0

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Effort Persistence Textbook TeacherStep 1

A 4.0 may seem unattainable, getting over this perception is the first step to success. Realize that it can

be done, it has been done, and you can do it.

Step 2

Realize success is not only attained by receiving an A+. You may strive for a perfect grade, and fall short.

It is important to understand that the goal should be to do YOUR best, and try YOUR hardest.

Step 3

Take a different perspective- It may be necessary to take a more intrinsic view. Thinking of grades as

rewards and incentives may not be ideal. It can be beneficial to strive for knowledge. Think of the act of

"learning" and acquiring new skills and knowledge as a reward within itself. In doing this you may find

that the good grades will come as result.

Step 4

Work hard- Hard work is a necessity in order to be successful at anything, school is no different. Set

specific times during the week for studying. As a result studying will become a habit and will no longer

seem like as much of a chore.

Step 5

Get help- Try not to think of good grades as something that must be attained on your own. There are

many resources that can be used to accomplish your goals. Study groups are a good idea, they allow forteaching as well as learning- as the saying goes- the best way to master something is to teach it to

someone else. Get a tutor- there is no shame in asking for help, and there are people who love to have

the opportunity to help someone. Talk to your teacher- ask them for help or clarifications, it is their job

to help you and most of the time they will be your best resource.

Step 6

ENJOY- enjoy your knowledge, spread it and absorb it.


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How to Get A 4.0 In College

Balancing work, college, and keeping a house running can make keeping your grades high extremely difficult, but

believe me, it's possible, I've done it! While it takes is a lot of self discipline, and a little bit of sacrifice, it will be worth

it come graduation.

Instructions

Step 1

Think about how much time you lose sitting around watching TV or surfing the web. Think of how much

your grades would improve if you devoted that time to your studies! Take some time off from the tube,

and devote a little more of it to what you need to be doing.

Step 2

Stop procrastinating. Stay up with the assigned reading for your classes. Begin research and planning for

your papers a significant amount of time before the due date so that you don't find yourself rushingaround at the last minute and making simple mistakes that will lower your grade (and ultimately your

GPA).

Step 3

Go to class, and pay attention while you're there. Hearing the information and a thorough explanation of

it from your professor will not only help you remember it, but also give you some idea of what your

professor will be looking for on the exam. Skipping class all semester then showing up only the week

before the exam is going to significantly hurt your grade, and plus if your professor sees you always in

class and participating they are more likely to give you a little extra credit where need be.

Step 4

Make flash cards before the exam and have someone else go through them with you. This is very helpful

in remembering the information.

Step 5

Take thorough notes. Even if you're in class every day its not likely you will remember everything that

was said. With good notes you can look back and answer most of the questions you have yourself. Inaddition, taking good notes which will occupy your hands will keep you from daydreaming and force your

mind to listen to and process what the professor is telling you.

Step 6

Get enough sleep. Everyone's needs are different but you know how much you need in order to feel and

function your best. If you're nodding off in class then you're obviously not paying attention, and getting

little more benefit out of being there then you would have had you not gone at all.

Step 7

Take advantage of all extra credit opportunities. Never pass extra credit by just because you don't

"think" you need it at the time. This will give you some cushion to fall back on in case you have a future

test or essay grade that doesn't come back so hot.
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Step 8

Take advantage of study groups if studying with other people helps you learn. Only you know what ways

help you memorize the material the fastest, so once you've figured them out stick with them!


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Best Way to Study for a Final

With the end of the semester year coming up, youre going to have those lovely final exams. Yes, those exams that

are going to be worth more than 20% of your grade. This is the true test on if you know what youre doing or not.

Fail this exam and you most likely may fail the class or receive a very poor grade.

Now, what is the best way to study for a final? There are many tips and strategies that you can use. Lets take a

look at a few ways that can make it easier for you to study.

Get with a study group: Gather some of your friends in your class and ask them if they would like to study with you.

The earlier you start, the better it is going to be. Never ever wait until the last minute when it comes to studying for

your final exam.

Take a hour a day: Write notes, make flashcards and make yourself study at least one hour a day. It may sound like

a lot but it adds up so fast and what you study may most likely absorb in your brain and it will make it a lot easier

when it comes down to taking a test.

Get your sleep: Sleep is one of the best things you can do before a test. Make sure that you get at least 8 hours andtry to keep things light the night before. Dont party, drink or whatever you may do on a typical college night.

Eat some breakfast: Eating in the morning will jump start your brain and make you feel refreshed. If you come into

class with no food in your stomach and no sleep, youre going to find yourself struggling with the exam.

Go over old tests: Look at old tests and find out how your professor is going to give one. Professors tend to keep

the same format when it comes to testing. Go over older answers and questions because these same questions

could be on your final.

Dont cram too much: This goes with a point above, you dont want to do too much and this is why its important tostart early. A doctor doesnt become a doctor in one hour. Instead, it gradually takes time. The same goes with a

test. Take your time, study slow and results shall come.

Create unique ways to remember: When it comes down to remembering harder parts of a chapter, use unique

ways to remember. Associate things with answers to make it easier on your mind. When I was in Elementary school,

I was able to use the term my very educated mother just served us nine pizzas. Each letter at the beginning

referenced the planets.

Obviously, when it comes to a final, studying takes you a long way. Its never to early to study and its never bad if

you want to hang out and study. Being smart is a good thing and thats the main reason youre in school. Try some

of the tips above and see how they work out for you.
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ANSWERING AN ESSAY TEST

Essay tests can have on them the following types of questions: short or long answers, fill in the blank, and sentence

completion. Use the following suggestions to help you with essay-type tests:

1. Make a brief survey of the entire test. Read every question and the directions. Plan to answer the leastdifficult questions first, saving the most difficult for last.\

2. Set a time schedule and periodically check your progress (to maintain proper speed). With six questions toanswer in 60 minutes you should allow a maximum of 10 minutes per questions. If your 10 minutes passes

and you have not finished the question, continue to the next one and come back to the other one later. Do

not sacrifice any question for another.

3. Read the question carefully. Underline key words: e.g., list, compare, WWII, political and social, art or music,etc. As you read, jot down the points that occur to you beside that question.

4. Organize a brief outline of the main ideas you want to present. Place a check mark alongside each major ideaand number them in order of presentation in your answer. Do not spend too much time on the outline.

5. When you answer, always rephrase the question.Example: Explain Pavlov's theory of conditioning. Answer: Pavlov's theory of conditioning is based on...

The remainder of the answer is devoted to support by giving dates, examples, stating relationships, causes,

effects and research

6. Present material that reflects the grader's personal or professional biases. Further, stick to the materialcovered in the reading or lecture, and answer the question within the frame of reference.

7. If you do not understand what the instructor is looking for, write down how you interpreted the questionand answer it.

8. If time does not permit a complete answer, use an outline form.9. Write something for every question. When you "go blank," start writing all the ideas you remember from

your studying - one of them is bound to be close!

10.In sentence-completion items, remember never to leave a space blank. When in doubt - GUESS. Make use ofgrammar to help decide the correct answer. Make the completed statement logically consistent.

11. If you have some time remaining, read over your answer. You can frequently add otherideas which may come to mind. You can at least correct misspelled words or insert words to complete an

idea.

12.Sometimes, before you even read the questions, you might write some facts and formulas you havememorized on the back of the test.

ANSWERING AN ESSAY TEST WITH SEVERAL QUESTIONS

1. Do a memory data dump.2. Read all the test questions and underline the important words.3. As you read each question, write down key words relating to the answer that immediately comes into your

mind.

4. Develop a test progress schedule.5. Answer the easiest questions first.6. Expand the key word outline begun in Step 3.7. Organize the outline.8. Write the answer.9.

Go to next easiest question and proceed to Step 6. 10. Review all test questions.


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KEY WORDS ON ESSAY TESTS

COMPARE - Look for similarities and differences between the things mentioned. CONTRAST - Stress the

dissimilarities.

DEFINE - Give a brief and accurate definition of the item.

DESCRIBE - Tell the primary characteristics of a situation or retell the important elements of a story.

DISCUSS - Be analytical. Give reasons, pro and con.

EVALUATE - Give both the positive and negative sides of the issue or topic.

EXPLAIN - Give the reasons or causes for being as it is.

ILLUSTRATE - Use examples. If appropriate, draw a diagram.

JUSTIFY - Give your reasons for the conclusions you have reached.

LIST - Give an itemized list; number the items.

PROVE - Give factual evidence, including logical or mathematical proof as appropriate.

REVIEW - Give a summary and comment on important aspects of the question.

SUMMARIZE - Give a summary without comment or criticism.

TRACE- Describe the progress or causes of some historical happening.


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The 10 Steps to Better Test Taking

Once you begin a test, follow the 10 steps to better test taking below:

Step 1 - Use a memory data dump. Upon receiving your test, turn it over and write down the information that you

put on your mental cheat sheet. Your mental cheat sheet has now turned into a mental list and writing down this

information is not cheating. Do not put your name on it, do not skim it, just turn it over and write down those facts,

figures and formulas from your mental cheat sheet or other information you might not remember during the test.This is called your first memory data dump. The data dump provides memory cues for test questions.

Example: It might take you a while to remember how to do a coin- word problem. However, if you had immediately

turn your test over and written down different ways of solving coin-word problems it would be easier to solve the

coin-word problem.

Step 2 - Preview the test. Put your name on the test and start previewing. Previewing the test requires you to look

through the entire test to find different types of problems and their point values. Put a mark by the questions that

you can do without thinking. These are the questions that you will solve first.

Step 3 - Do a second memory data dump. The secondary data dump is for writing down material that was jarred

from your memory while previewing the test. Write this information on the back of the test.

Step 4 - Develop a test progress schedule. When you begin setting up a test schedule, determine the point value for

each question. You might have some test questions that are worth more points than others.

In some tests, word problems are worth five points and other questions might be worth two or three points. You

must decide the best way to get the most points in the least amount of time. This might mean working the questions

worth two to three points first and leaving the more difficult word problems for last.

Decide how many problems should be completed half- way though the test. You should have more than half the

problems completed by that time.

Step 5 - Answer the easiest problems first Solve, in order, the problems you marked while previewing the test. Then,

review the answers to see if they make sense. Start working through the test as fast as you can while being accurate.

Answers should be reasonable.

Example: The answer to a . problem of ' to find the area of a rectangle e cannot be negative, and the try

answer to a land-rate-distance problem cannot be 1,000 miles per hour.

Clearly write down each step to get partial credit, even if you end up missing the problem. In most math tests, the

easier problems are near the beginning of the first page; you need to answer them efficiently and quickly. This will

give you both more time for the harder problems and time to review.

Step 6 - Skip difficult problems. If you find a problem that you do not know how to work, read it twice and

automatically skip it. Reading it twice will help you understand the problem and put it into your working memory.

While you are solving other problems, your mind is still working on that problem. Difficult problems could be the

type of problem you have never seen before or a problem in which you get stuck on the second or third step. In

either case, skip the problem and go on to the next one.

Step 7 - Review the skipped problems. When working the skipped problems, think how you have solved other,

similar problems as a cue to solving the skipped ones. Also, try to remember how the instructor solved that type of

problem on the board.


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While reviewing skipped problems, or at any other time, you may have the "Ah, ha!" response. The "Ah, ha!"

response is your remembering how to do a skipped problem. Do not wait to finish your current problem. Go to the

problem on which you had the "Ah ha" and finish that problem. If you wait to finish your current problem, your "Ah,

ha!" response could turn into an "Oh, no!" response.

Step 8 - Guess at the remaining problems Do as much work as you can on each problem, even if it is just writing

down the first step. If you cannot write down the first step, rewrite the problem. Sometimes rewriting the problem

can jar your memory enough to do the first step or the entire problem. If you leave the problem blank, you will get a

zero. Do not waste too much time on guessing or trying to work the problems you cannot do.

Step 9 - Review the test. Look for careless errors or other errors you may have made. Students usually lose two to

five test points on errors that could have been caught in review. Do not talk yourself out of an answer just because it

may not look right. This often happens when an answer does not come out even. It is possible for the answer to be a

fraction or decimal.

Remember: Answers in math do not have "dress codes." Research reveals that the odds of changing a right answer

to a wrong answer are greater than the odds of changing a wrong answer to a right one.

Step 10 - Use all the allowed test time. Review each problem by substituting the answer back into the equation or

doing the opposite function required to answer the question. If you cannot check the problem by the two ways

mentioned, rework the problem on a separate sheet of paper and compare the answers. Do not leave the test room

unless you have reviewed each problem two times or until the bell rings.

Remember: There is no prize for handing your test in first, and students who turn their papers in last do make "A's."

Stapling your scratch paper to the math test when handing it in has several advantages:

If you miscopied the answer from the scratch paper, you will probably get credit for the answers.

If you get the answer incorrect due to a careless error, your work on the scratch paper could give you a fewpoints.

If you do get the problem wrong, it will be easier to locate errors when the instructor reviews the test. Thiswill prevent from making the same mistakes on the next math test.

Remember: Handing in your scratch paper may get you extra points or improve your next test score.


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Taking an Objective Test

Objective tests include those with multiple-choice, true/false or matching questions. Use the following suggestions

to help you take an objective test:

1. Before you start taking the test, preview the entire test - Survey to find how many questions there are and ofwhat type. Set a time limit so that you will have at least five minutes at the end to recheck your test.

2. Read the directions, carefully, making sure you understand exactly what is expected.3. Find out if you are penalized for guessing. If not, always guess and do not leave any unanswered questions.4. Carefully read each question; underline key words.5. Anticipate the answer and look for it. Read all the alternatives before answering.6. Do not read into questions what is not there.7. When your anticipated answer is not one of the options, discard it and systematically concentrate on the

given ones.

8. When two or more options look correct, compare them with each other. Study them to find what makesthem different. Choose the more encompassing option unless the question requires a specific answer.

9. Pass over the difficult or debatable questions on your first reading and come back to them after completingthose about which you were sure.

10.Use information from other questions.11. In all questions, especially the true-false type, look for specific determiners. Words such as "rarely,"

"usually," "sometimes," and "seldom" allow for exceptions; "never," "always," "no," and "all" indicate no

exceptions.

12.Mark statements true only if they are true without exception. If any part of the statement is false, the wholestatement is marked as such.

13.Stay in one column of a matching test. Usually it will be the column with the definition. Work backward tofind the word or symbol that matches it. Be sure to find out if the answers can be used more than once.

14.If you know you made an error, change your first answer. If it is just a guess, keep your first impression.


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How to Reduce Test Anxiety

To reduce math test anxiety, you need to understand both the relaxation response and how negative self-talk

undermines your abilities.

Relaxation Techniques

The relaxation response is any technique or procedure that helps you to become relaxed and will take the place of ananxiety response. Someone simply telling you to relax or even telling yourself to relax, however, without proper

training, does little to reduce your test anxiety. There are both short-term and long-term relaxation response

techniques which help control emotional (somatic) math test anxiety. These techniques will also help reduce worry

(cognitive) anxiety. Effective short-term techniques include The Tensing and Differential Relaxation Method and The

Palming Method.

Short Term Relaxation Techniques

The Tensing and Differential Relaxation Method

The Tensing and Differential Relaxation Method helps you relax by tensing and relaxing your muscles all at once.

Follow these procedures while you are sitting at your desk before taking a test:

1. Put your feet flat on the floor.2. With your hands, grab underneath the chair.3. Push down with your feet and pull up on your chair at the same time for about five seconds.4. Relax for five to 10 seconds.5. Repeat the procedure two to three times.6. Relax all your muscles except the ones that are actually used to take the test.

The Palming Method

The palming method is a visualization procedure used to reduce test anxiety. While you are at your desk before or

during a test, follow these procedures:

1. Close and cover your eyes using the center of the palms of your hands.2. Prevent your hands from touching your eyes by resting the lower parts of your palms on your cheekbones

and placing your fingers on your forehead. Your eyeballs must not be touched, rubbed or handled in any

way.

3. Think of some real or imaginary relaxing scene. Mentally visualize this scene. Picture the scene as if you wereactually there, looking through your own eyes.

4. Visualize this relaxing scene for one to two minutes.Practice visualizing this scene several days before taking a test and the effectiveness of this relaxation procedure will

improve.

Side One of the audio cassette, How to Reduce Test Anxiety (Molting, 1986), further explains test anxiety and

discusses these and other short-term relaxation response techniques. Short-term relaxation techniques can be

learned quickly but are not as successful as the long-term relaxation technique. Short

term techniques are intended to be used while learning the long-term technique.


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Long Term Relaxation Techniques

The Cue-Controlled Relaxation Response Technique is the best long-term relaxation technique. It is presented on

Side Two of the audio cassette, How To Reduce Test Anxiety (Molting, 1986). Cue-controlled relaxation means you

can induce your own relaxation based on repeating certain cue words to yourself. In essence, you are taught to relax

and then silently repeat cue words, such as "I am relaxed."

After enough practice, you can relax during math tests. The Cue-Controlled Relaxation Technique has worked with

thousands of students. For a better understanding of test anxiety and how to reduce it, listen to How to Reduce Test

Anxiety (Nolting, 1986).

Negative Self-Talk

Negative self-talk is a form of worry (cognitive) anxiety. This type of worrying can interfere with your test preparation

and can keep you from concentrating on the test. Worrying can motivate you to study, but too much worrying may

prevent you from studying at all.

Negative self-talk is defined as the negative statements you tell yourself before and during tests. Negative self-talk

causes students to lose confidence and to give up on tests. Further, it can give you an inappropriate excuse for failing

math and cause you to give up on learning math.

Students need to change their negative self-talk to positive self- talk without making unrealistic statements.

Positive self-statements can improve your studying and test preparation. During tests, positive self-talk can build

confidence and decrease your test anxiety. These positive statements; as well as others, can help reduce your test

anxiety and improve your grades. Some more examples of positive self statements are on the cassette tape How to

Reduce Test Anxiety (Molting, 1986). Before the test, make up some positive statements to tell yourself.

The 12 Myths About Test Anxiety

1. Students are born with test anxiety.2. Test anxiety is a mental illness.3. Test anxiety cannot be reduced.4. Any level of test anxiety is bad.5. All students who are not prepared have test anxiety.6. Students with test anxiety cannot learn math.7. Students who are well prepared will not have test anxiety.8. Very intelligent students and students taking high-level courses, such as calculus, do not have test anxiety.9. Attending class and doing my homework should reduce all my test anxiety.10.Being told to relax during a test will make you relaxed.11.Doing nothing about test anxiety will make it go away.12.Reducing test anxiety will guarantee better grades.


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Studying for Exams

What to know before you start to study:

1. What type of test is it?a. Objective - multiple choice, true/false, matching or a combination.b. Essay - short or long answer, or sentence completion.c. Problem solving.d. Combination of the above.

2. What material is to be covered?3. How many questions (approximately)?4. What is the time limit?

If the information above is not given by the instructor when he/she announces the test, ASK. This information is

valuable to the way you study. Also, ask the instructor for old exams you can use for your review.

Studying

1. Be sure you have read all the material to be covered and all the lecture notes before you begin your seriousstudying.

2. Plan what you will study and when you will study it.3. Each review session should be limited to one hour. Take breaks of five to 10 minutes between hourly

sessions.

4. Try to predict exam questions. If it will be essay, try to answer your predicted questions.5. Study in a group only if everyone has read the material. You do not gain much when you must "tutor"

someone else or if other students are not prepared.

6. Prepare summary sheets to study and eliminate rereading the textbook.7. Review for objective tests by concentrating on detail and memorizing facts, such as names, dates, formulas

and definitions (know a little bit about a lot).

8. Review for essay tests by concentrating on concepts, principles, theories and relationships (know a lot abouta little bit).

9. For problem-solving tests, work examples of each type of problem. Work them from memory until you getstuck. Study your guide problem and begin working it again from memory, from the beginning. Do this until

you can work the entire problem without referring to your notes.

10.On the day of the test, do not learn any new materials. It can interfere with the knowledge you have alreadylearned.

11.Try not to discuss the test with other students while you are waiting to begin. If you have studied, you do notneed to be flustered by others making confusing remarks.

12.Try to consciously make yourself relax before the test begins.13.After the test is over, forget it! Do not discuss it and do not look for answers you might have missed.

Concentrate on your next exam.

14.Keep in good physical condition by not ignoring food and/or sleep requirements.


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The 6 Types of Test-Taking Errors:

1. Misread direction errors - these errors occur when you skip directions or misunderstand directions butanswer the question or do the problem anyway.

To avoid this type of error, read all the directions.

2. Careless errors - mistakes made which can be caught automatically upon reviewing the test.To avoid type of error, watch for simple mistakes carefully as you review the test.

3. Concept errors - mistakes made when you do not understand the properties or principles required to workthe problem.

To avoid this type of error in the; future, you must go back to your textbook or notes and learn why you

missed the problems.

4. Application errors - mistakes that you make when you know this concept but cannot apply it to the problem.To reduce this type of error, you must, learn to predict the type of application problems that will be on the

test.

5. Test Procedure errors - mistakes that you make because of the specific way you take tests, such as:a. Missing more questions in the 1st-third, 2nd-third or last third of a test. If you find that you miss

more questions in a certain part of the test consistently, use your remaining test time to review that

part of the test first.

b. Not completing a problem to its last step.To avoid this mistake, review the last step of a test problem first, before doing an in-depth test

review.

c. Changing test answers from the correct ones to incorrect ones.If you are a bad answer changer, then write on your test "Don't change answers." Only change

answers if you can prove to yourself or to the instructor that the changed answer is correct.

d. Getting stuck on one problem and spending too much time.Set a time limit for each problem before moving to the next problem.

e.

Rushing through the easiest part of the test and making careless errors. If you do this often, afterfinishing the test review the easy problems first, then review the harder problems.

f. Miscopying an answer from your scratch work to the test.To avoid this, systematically compare your last problem step on scratch paper with the answer on

the test.

g. Leaving answers blank Write down some information or try at least to do the first step.h. Not following the ten steps to better test-taking.

Deviating from these proven then steps will cost you points!

6. Study errors - mistakes that occur when you study the wrong type of material or do not spend enough timestudying pertinent material.

To avoid these. errors m the future, take dome time to track down -why the errors occurred so that you canstudy more effectively the next time.


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When to Take Notes

To become a better note-taker you must know when to take notes and when not to take notes. The instructor will

give cues that indicate what material is important Some such cues include:

presenting usual facts or ideas writing on the board summarizing pausing repeating statements enumerating; such as, "1, 2, 3" or "A, B, C" working several examples of the same type of problem on the black- board saying, "This is a tricky problem. Most students will miss it." For example, 510 is "undefined" instead of

"zero."

saying, "This is the most difficult step in the problem." indicating that certain types of problems will be on the test, such as coin- or age-word problems explaining bold-print words

You must learn the cues your instructor gives indicating important material. If you are in doubt about the importanceof the class material, do not hesitate to ask the instructor about its importance.

While taking notes, you may become confused about math material. At that point, take as many notes as possible,

and do not give up on note-taking.

As you take notes on confusing problem steps, skip lines; then go back and fill in information that clarifies your

misunderstanding of the steps in question. Ask your tutor or instructor for help with the uncompleted problem steps,

and write down the reasons for each step in the space provided.

Another procedure to save time while taking notes is to stop writing complete sentences. Write your main thoughts

in phrases. Phrases are easier to jot down and easier to memorize.


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Abbreviations

E.G. for example Dshows disagreement with statement or

passage

CF. compare, remember in context REF reference

N.B. note well, this is important et al and others

\ therefore bk book

because P page

implies, it follows from this etc. and so forth

> greater than V see

< less than VS see above

= equals, is the same SC namely

does not equal, is not the same SQ the following

( )parentheses in the margin, around a sentenceor group of sentences indicates an important

idea

Comm. Commutative

?used to indicate that you do not understand

the materialDis. Distributive

0a circle around a word may indicate that you

are not familiar with it; look it upA.P.A. Associative Property of Addition

Emarks important materials likely to be used in

an examA.I. Additive Inverse

1, 2, 3 to indicate a series of facts I.P.M. Identity Property of Multiplication


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How to Do Your Homework

Doing your homework can be frustrating or rewarding. Most students jump right into their homework, become

frustrated and stop studying. These students usually go directly to the math problems and start working them

without any preparation. When they get stuck on one problem, they flip to the back of the text for the answer. Then,

they either try to work the problem backward, to unders

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