Final Exam Preparation

Do you feel like this when you start thinking about preparing for final exams?

After today you will know… Have a review of your learning & studying preferences How to fill your study toolbox What your study schedule is for final exams Helpful Tips to Achieve Successful Studying Organize Spend Time Wisely Strategize to Overcome Problems Tips for Taking a Final Exam

What is your learning preference? Before you can begin preparing, you need to understand how you learn best… Auditory – Learn by hearing. Record study sessions for future playback. Rehearse and repeat information out loud as you study. Study with a partner and take turns teaching each other important concepts. Use rhymes or jingles to help remember information. Study with quiet music in the background Experiential – Learn by doing. Use a highlighter and/or take notes to keep active while reading. Personalize the information you’re learning (how does it relate to you?). Break studying into manageable chunks. If you talk with your hands, do the same while you’re studying. Keep a stress ball handy. Visual – Learn by seeing. Minimize your distractions (windows, computers, phones). Create an outline. Look for pictures to help you relate material. Use color in your notetaking. Draw on your notes – boxes, underline – anything to draw attention to key concepts. What is your learning preference?

What is your studying preference? Group sessions Alone With distractions Without distractions (at library, etc.) Timed Studying -studies show we retain the first 20 and last 20 mins of a study session Other ways you prefer to study?

What is in your study toolbox? Notes Tests from the semester Snacks Water or Coffee Watch Computer What else will you put in?

Organize – So you know where to start! When will you have time to study? 168 hours in a week Block out committed times Work/School/Other required commitments Block out sleep, eating, and personal readiness Look at times left and other needs When should the most difficult courses be studied Let’s begin to make out your study plan

Organize – Study Plan For each class identify difficulty and final exam preparation needs Cumulative Exam? Percentage towards final grade? What materials should I study? Use syllabus and notes to determine topics to study How much emphasis was put on each topic area or chapter? Rate your level of knowledge (1=none to 10=completely comprehend) Based on all of the above, designate blocks of time you study for each course. Be sure to keep in mind how much time you have until your first exam and in between each exam Use your “Exam Planner” to help organize! For each class, gather the relevant study materials, tools and equipment. For example, you’ll need your course outline, class notes and your text or lab manual. If you have study guides, lab exams and midterms, gather those as well. Make sure you have the correct answers for any exams. Make a list of the topics you’ve covered during the term or the year. This list of topics and estimate your current level of knowledge of this topic, on a scale from 1–10 and jot this number in pencil beside the topic heading. Based on these estimates, decide which topics to study first and which will take the longest. Once you have identified the most important and difficult topics, review your exam schedule to see how much time is available for this exam and assign a block of time for each topic.

Spend Time Wisely!! Plan for adequate sleep, exercise, and meals The remaining class and study times are precious – miss only for extreme reasons!! Watch your energy and anxiety levels A little anxiety is a good thing—what if you have too much anxiety? Schedule time for adequate sleep, exercise and meals. Your brain depends on these to function. Be careful about the amount of coffee and soda you drink. Watch your energy and anxiety levels. Your ability to learn depends on your ability to concentrate! A little anxiety actually helps your motivation, but too much interferes with your ability to concentrate, interferes with sleep, and drains your energy. Too much anxiety, must be managed…how will you manage? Exercise, relaxation techniques, etc.

Strategize to Overcome Problems Pay attention to your attention Agree with Roommates about study time Turn off the phone/TV/Facebook Learn to say “no” Hang out a “do not disturb” sign Avoid noise distractions Are you letting others misuse your time? Pay attention to your attention – Be aware of your internal interruptions. If you keep interrupting your studying to remind yourself of something, decide to do it before studying or write yourself a note to do at a later time. Agree with roommates about study time – Make the rules clear to roommates, parents, spouses and kids. Once they are set, stick to them and follow them yourself. Turn off the phone– Stay off the phone when you are trying to study. Simply say “I can’t talk right now, I’m studying.” Most people will understand if it has to do with your education. Learn to say “no”– Saying “no” to a request can be done effectively and courteously. Others want you to succeed as a student and will understand if you say you cannot do something because you are busy studying. Hang a “do not disturb” sign on your door – This will let others know that you are working. Avoid noise distractions – Studying in a quiet environment is best; library, designated study area, etc. Notice how others misuse your time – Be aware of repeat offenders who interrupt your studying. If avoiding the interrupter is impractical, then send a clear message

Strategize to Overcome Problems When you get stuck… What is one task I can accomplish? Am I being too hard on myself? Does this need to be perfect? Can I do just one more thing? What is the best use of my time right now? Can I delegate this? How did I just waste time? (cleaning bathroom) Am I using all the resources available to me? http://library.mtsu.edu/finalstoolkit

Strategize to Overcome Problems Avoid Procrastination… Make your plans a part of public record Study with others Step back and check your progress from time to time Verbalize your excuses Visualize success or completion Find a reward

Tips for Taking a Final Exam What is your mind set? Preview all questions before beginning!!! Plan your time/Points/Weighted Mind Dump/Anxiety Reduction Read each question carefully Look for specifics in the directions for each section Guess – leave nothing blank! Take the entire time allotted - Be last to Finish Review test, be sure it is complete

Is Your Toolbox Complete?

University College Advising Center QUESTIONS?? Eric B. Miller Academic Advisor University College Advising Center ericb.miller@mtsu.edu (615) 898-2339 Please fill out the survey on this website to confirm your attendance and to give feedback on this session: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/K9BGWK6