Academic Resource Center
"Perhaps
the most valuable result of all education is the
ability to make yourself do the thing you have
to do, when it ought to be done, whether you like
it or not; it is the first lesson that ought to
be taught."
T.H. Huxley
"But
I like to study in bed!"
As
appealing as curling up with a good textbook may
sound, odds are it won't prove helpful if you're
doing it in bed. Most likely your Serta Perfect
Sleeper won't accompany you to class on exam day,
so studying at your desk or at the library would
be a better idea. Also, you're less likely to
fall asleep.
"Cramming
before a test helps keep it fresh in my mind."
Although
a last minute look at the material may jumpstart
your mind before an exam, cramming tends to have
the opposite effect. Overstuffing your brain with
information means that some of it will leak out
to make room for more. Besides, you need time
to assimilate and process the material.
"I'm
going to stay up all night until I get this."
All-nighters
are not the answer. Doing a study marathon the
night before means you'll be in no shape to run
on exam day. Try to get a good night's rest. No
matter how much you've studied, you won't do as
well if you're not mentally alert.
So what should I do?
- Study in an environment that most closely resembles the test environment
- Decide what to study (include class notes, past quizzes, handouts, study guides, the textbook, and end of the chapter review questions)
- Prepare summary sheets for large amounts of lecture and textbook notes
- Pay specific attention to points emphasized in class or the textbook, and areas the professor specified for study
- Break your time into chunks; studying the material for an hour or two a day the week before the test is most effective
- Take short breaks; study for 50 minutes and take 10 minute breaks (get fresh air or a healthy snack)