1. Preparing yourself academically Preparing yourself mentally Start studying early Stay on top of reading and lecture Organize your information and yourself Find out beforehand the test focus and format Rehearse for the test’s questions and its time of day and duration Get psyched up, but not psyched out Cram systematically Practice relaxation techniques MANAGING TEST ANXIETY

2. Preparing yourself academically Preparing yourself mentally Start studying early Stay on top of reading and lecture Organize your information and yourself Find out beforehand the test focus and format Rehearse for the test ’ s place, time and duration Get psyched up, but not psyched out Cram systematically Practice relaxation techniques

3. Start studying early The “diligent” student (= 4.0 GPA dork) starts studying for the final exam on the first of the 15 weeks of a semester (= August, 2008).

4. your studying over the whole semester: You forget material if you don’t rehearse and review it often and continuously.

5. Information need periods of time to consolidate or to “gel” in your memory.

6. It’s human nature to underestimate the amount of time needed for a project, so start ridiculously early giving yourself a luxurious cushion of time.

7. Be academically ready have a complete set of notes have the reading done

9. Organize Your information –reading –handouts –lecture notes –study guides Yourself –Logistically –Physically

11. BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER: THE 3-STEP SYSTEM FOR LEARNING

12. The more organized your packing, the easier it is to find things when you need them.

13. The more carefully you pack, the more you can fit in

14. Logistics: have all the necessary materials ready

15. Be physically ready: get a good night's sleep (take the all-nighter, IF YOU MUST, 2 nights before)

16. Sleep is one of the few activities that will not interfere with learning. In fact, it may help reinforce what you just studied.

17. No seeping up, but probably some solidifying

18. Eat something. This will help avoid low blood sugar, faintness, and nausea and will give you energy. Stay away from grease, acidic foods, and foods high in refined sugar.

19. “cram” is NOT a 4-letter word? Recency (“freshness”) improves memory retrieval – but last-minute acquisition usually does NOT help memory retention because it’s too haphazard and hurried. Less chance for interference from old information = last-minute review as opposed to brand- new learning

20. “cram” IS a 4-letter word? Most crammers never get the material past their cramped and tiny short-term memory Tends to raise your anxiety level Tendency to quickly gather specifics which can then interfere with broader thinking (you can retrieve the individual “trees” but not the “woods”)

21. Some personalities thrive on stress instead of feeling anxious “If it weren’t for stress, I’d have no energy at all”

22. The “Deadline High”: Coming up against a tight deadline and meeting it is immensely satisfying. It can be associated with strong rushes of adrenaline and you may find that jobs are being unconsciously delayed precisely to get this rush.

23. Procrastinators who are “Crisis-Makers” They’re proud that they can only get motivated at the last minute. They live for the adrenaline rush and life on the edge, such as a procrastination crisis. They have a very low boredom threshold.

24. Chronic responses for “Crisis-Makers” Too much cortisol hurts thinking. Fatigue, anger, depression Weakened immune system against infection Ulcers  Blood pressure and heart rate damage blood vessels

25. WAITING for THE TEST to start

26. Arrive on time (not too early and not too late) The “Goldilocks” Problem: NOT TOO MUCH… not too little…

27. Don't talk to other students just before the test. They will almost always mention something you don't know and lower your confidence.

28. Allow yourself enough time to get to the exam without hurrying. Being late can be the first step toward panic.

29. Don't bring your books to the test. Looking at them at the last minute may only upset you. If you want to bring something, bring a short outline or a set of brief notes that you know well.

30. Bring a watch so you won't have to worry about the time.

31. DURING THE TEST

32. Decide where to sit

33. Generally it makes sense to go to the seat where you usually sit, to take out and “show” what you learned in the same place where you took in and “got” the information

34. But you might in this special circumstance switch to a new seat for good reasons such as: Wanting fewer distractions moving away from your friends moving away from windows and hallway doors Wanting to be in the front row to get the test faster to be closer to the professor to be closer to the board for instructions

37. Circle or underline key words in questions to keep you focused