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TRY |
Not cramming! |
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WHY? |
Because short-term-memory
hasn't enough space for all you need to know. Also, cramming
stupefies long-term-memory (where well-learned material lives), and
it can set you up for panic and "blanking." |
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TRY
|
Starting well in advance by breaking your studying
into chunks, and reviewing often.
|
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HOW? |
-
A week or more
before the exam, do an initial overview (a 2-4hr quick review of
the material); this will help to motivate you and to determine
the structure of the course, where your difficult material is,
and the volume to be covered.
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Develop and
follow a plan for getting yourself through this volume of
material, starting (if possible) with your most difficult stuff.
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At the beginning
of each study period, do a 10min review of the previous period's
material.
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|
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|
|
TRY
|
Studying "from the top
down." |
|
WHY? |
Because it is easier to
understand and retain material that is well-organized. Therefore,
start with a good grasp of the course's main ideas, then follow with
the sub-topics and supporting details. |
|
|
|
|
TRY
|
Studying by jogging your
memory. |
|
WHY? |
Because real understanding
comes not when we stuff information in but when we draw it out.
Exams require this same drawing out of information. So this should
be the focus of studying: answering questions, solving problems,
writing essays, defining, explaining, and applying terms, and
working through past exams. |
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|
|
|
TRY |
Taking
in no new material the night before an exam. |
|
WHY? |
Because
you want to build confidence by reinforcing what you know rather
than running the risk of scaring yourself by discovering something
you don't know. Also, you want to avoid a temptation to cram.
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