How To Prepare For Exams SPA Workshops Presents

Information to Remember:  Official exam period: April 6-23  That’s in just 29 days!  Start NOW

Preliminary Steps  Finish all required readings  Highlight important points  Attend lectures  Speak with professor or TA to clarify difficult topics  Consider seeking tutor (SPA, UPSA)

Before Getting Started  Find a quiet place where you feel comfortable studying at and where there are minimal distractions (i.e., library, study room, your own bedroom, etc.)  Try to “get rid of” any distractions that may cause procrastination or affect your mode of studying (i.e., a computer with internet access – FACEBOOK, TV, friends who do not have exams coming up, etc.)

Before Getting Started  Show some dedication and set a time period in which all you will be doing is study for the exam(s) coming up – this time period should be at least 1.5 hours long!  If your study sessions are very long or you plan to study for the whole day, also plan breaks (ideally 15 mins.) in between so that you can stay relaxed and actually absorb the material when you’re studying.  Note: Be reasonable when planning your study sessions!

What You Need  The materials your exam will cover!!! – textbooks, handouts, lecture notes?  Pen/pencil  Highlighter/gel pen (eye-catching colour)  “Study booklet” (5-10 pieces of line paper stapled) Optional:  Light refreshments – snacks and drinks.

How To Get Started  STEP 1: Read over all the materials once (even if you have already read it for class, or if you haven’t, now’s the time to catch up on readings and study!!!)  Note: Do not stress over details, but DO read EVERYTHING!

How To Get Started  STEP 2: While reading over the materials, take note of the following in your “study booklet”: Any terms and concepts that appear time after time in the textbook and in lecture/tutorial – main concepts. Any terms and concepts that you find difficult to remember/understand. Any questions you have regarding the materials. Anything you wish to take note of for future reminders.  Note: Label each section properly.

How To Get Started  After completing step 1 and 2, take a short break (ideally 15 mins.) to prevent from having a mental breakdown.  STEP 3: Briefly review chapter summaries, concept charts (if available), and any form of notes to remind yourself of what you had just studied. Take note of any terms/concepts again in your study booklet that you find did not register well in your memory/understanding.

How To Get Started  STEP 4: Look through all the materials and begin to find answers to everything you took note of in your “study booklet.” For terms, include their definition, significance, when they are used (in what aspect), as well as related terms (if any). For concepts, include their significance as well as their relation to other concepts (if any). For questions, ask your classmates, your TA, or your professor immediately!

How To Get Started  After completing step 3 and 4, take a short break (ideally 15 mins.) to prevent from having a mental breakdown.  Now that you have identified which materials you understand poorly, you can focus on studying those terms/concepts!

How To Get Started  STEP 5: For the remainder of the time you have to study before you write your exam, review back and forth from your “study booklet” and general notes (chapter summaries, concept charts, point-form notes, etc.). That way, you do not end up spending too much time on the material you already understand but is still constantly reminded of those materials.

Tips/Suggestions  DO NOT leave all your readings and studying to the night before the exam!!!  Seek help if you need to! Do not be afraid to ask questions if you do not understand something!  Have ENOUGH sleep the night before writing an exam!

Tips/Suggestions  If there is a study guide available, USE IT!  Form study groups with your classmates – only if you really DO study together!  Pack all the stuff you need for exam before you go to sleep – pens, pencils, erasers, calculator, etc.!

GOOD LUCK! If you know you studied hard and understand the material well, RELAX and let your brain do the magic! All your studying WILL pay off! Thanks for coming!