Stuck In The Middle:Midterm Preparation Tutorial

Presented By: Laura Pasquini, Academic Advisor

Today’s AgendaWhat Say You?

Plan to Plan: Prepare to be tested

Straight Up Study Strategies

Test Formats & Tips

Academic Help & Resources

Study Final Exams NOW!

What This Tutorial Isn’t...A guarantee you will get A’s on your midterms

The answer to all your SPECIFIC study skills needs

Just a song & dance performed by Laura

The only time you should think about studying this session!

What This Tutorial Is... A session to share & swap ideas

An interactive workshop with activities

A TASTE of study tips, strategies & advice for test-taking

A bit of motivation to START studying!

Make a Plan to StudyWHEN are your midterms?

What % of your grade is this midterm?

What do you need to study for the test?

WHERE will you study?

What TYPE of test is it?

HELP!: tutorials, office hours, etc

Considering the Plan

Budget time realistically

Length - time to study & BREAK

Clear & specific goals

Prioritize learning & review

Be purposeful

How Do You Learn?

7 Intelligences & StudyingLinguistic - notes, flash cards, words

Logical-Mathematical - charts, graphs

Spatial - sketch, pictures, mind maps

Kinesthetic - real-life examples, action

Musical - songs, rhymes, classical music

Interpersonal - talk, teach, study group

Intrapersonal - journal, quiet, solo

Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences

Textbook TalkBeginning: table of contents

Chapters to Read

objectives/abstracts, vocabulary, chapter review, study questions

End of Textbook

glossary, index, solutions/answers, maps, charts

Post-It!

Notable Notes & SlidesSlides/syllabus a guide for text & notes

Any hints/review items given in class?

Summarize lecture notes/labs (in your own words)

Review tips: flash cards, re-write, summary of notes, discuss, etc

Emphasis on course learning is where?

CornellNote-TakingMethod

Course Name Date

Key columnWrite key terms/questions here

2.5 inches

Notes columnWrite full notes here

8 inches

Write summary here

Remember THIS!

Elaborative rehearsal

Generation Effect

Dual Coding

State & context

Spacing Effect

Elaborative Rehearsal

Mnemonics - Every Good Boy Deserves Fun

Rhymes -I before E, except after C & “weird” is just weird

Acrostics - KISS = Keep It Simple Stupid

Acronyms

Acronym ExampleR ed

O range

Yellow

G reen

B lue

I ndigo

Violet

More Memory Ideas...Generation Effect

define, summary, flash cards, teach

Spacing

repeat, repeat, repeat (cramming = bad)

Dual Coding

narrative, linking, imagery, Loci

Mind Map

Word Web

Testing... 1, 2, 3

Test formats

MCQ, Essay, Short Answer, Case-Study, Problem Solving

Tips & Tricks

Multiple Choice Tests

cover up the alternatives

read carefully & process stem (question)

predict answer & eliminate wrong options

check the format of the question

Process options & re-read stem of question

multiple guess (last resort)

MCQ Example 1• The memory strategy derived from Miller (1956) involving

organizing disparate pieces of information into one related, meaningful group is referred to as

• (a) organization

• (b) the Cornell method

• (c) elaborative rehearsal

• (d) chunking

• (e) SQ3R

MCQ Example 2• Which of the following is not related to the process of elaborative

rehearsal?

• (a) adding details to ideas and concepts

• (b) analyzing component parts of an idea

• (c) restating knowledge in your own words

• (d) practicing remembering the information

• (e) none of the above

MCQ Example 3• In the study by Bahrick and Hall, 1991 we find that graduates of college

mathematics courses recall high school math knowledge for many years after. According to Bahrick & Hall, which of the following would you expect to be true of a group of university graduates who did not take math courses at university:

• (a) they would recall their math from high school to essentially the same extent as those who took math courses in university

• (b) most would recall little or none of their high school math 50 years after

• (c) they would recall best those things which they learned more about in their university courses

• (d) both (b) and (c)

• (e) all of the above

MCQ Tipsunderline key content words

rephrase & translate question

note absolutes, i.e. always, only & never

think of relevant knowledge

to process alternatives:

Tricks: phrases from course, fact vs. general knowledge, jargon

Essay & Short Answer TestsTypes of Questions:

compare and contrast

analysis

critical examination

Organize your answers (long & short)

Common Terms: argue, describe, define, discuss, explain, prove, examine, etc

Set Yourself Up to Write

Thesis: Main idea, argument or question

Point Form Outline - cluster information

Use 1 idea per paragraph

Tips: understand question, start with easy question, pace, review, edit

Problem-Solving TestsGet practice problems answered NOW

Write down important formulas

Read over all of the problems first

Start with the easier questions

Write neatly & one step at a time

Monitor mistakes during test

RELAX... Go To It!PREPARE - study, rest, eat.

Find your “zone” - mental preparation

Review the test & instructions first

Check your time & pace

Ask for clarification, if needed

Review your answers

High fives!

Study for Finals NOW!

Create a study schedule:

2-3 hours for every hour of class (i.e. lecture, lab, tutorial)

Review lecture notes a minimum of 3 times each session

Use your resources on campus...

Resources @ UTSCTutorials - is there a REVIEW session?

Prof./TA office hours -SPECIFIC question

Math & Stats Help Centre (AC 320B)

The Writing Centre (AC 210)

The Math Aid Room (SF 506F)

Study network - hello class friends!

Health & Wellness -personal/medical help

Resources @ the AA & CC

Study Skills Peer Counselling

Learning Resources in Library

Academic Tipsheets

Academic Advising - Walk-ins & Apts.

More Study Skills Seminar Info.

Study Skills PeersDaily sign Up at AC 213:

Mon.: 12-1 & 5-6

Tues.: 9:30-2:30 & 3:30-5

Wed.: 9:30-10:30

Thurs.: 9-10 & 1-3

Fri.: 10-12

Good Luck!

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Academic Advising & Career Centre

AC 213 (beside the Library)

416.287.7561

www.utsc.utoronto.ca/aacc