I was a type of student who would wait until the very night before the exam and try to cram everything. It didn't give me a devastating grade, but I knew that it was a very bad study habit. After taking CLS105, I changed my approach to exams. Instead of waiting for the very night before the exam, I studied in a small portion every day with consistency. It was much less time-consuming and effective. As a ex-exam crammer, I knew that the consequence for this kind of strategy was that 1. you are to use all the time during that day before the exam. It's quite true though. When you wait until the very night before the exam, you are probably going to have tons of materials to go over and memorize. However, are you really able to cover everything if you spend a whole day? I don't think so, at least for me. There is a limit to how long I can study in each interval. I would probably start to lose my focus after the third hour of studying. So during that whole day which I chose to cram the exam, I would end of spending all day, 2. but realistically only use eight of that amount.
I would always write down a question or two or even three during every lecture. As those adds up, I would have good number of questions by the time I take the test. Now, like I said, I am no longer a exam crammer. I would study those questions on a daily basis in a very short term period, just enough to make sure I remember the question and answer. Writing down your own exam questions is really effective. Not only does it help you study for the test, but it also assists you in focusing during lecture everyday. Try to think that you must come up with at least 2 good exam-friendly questions by end of every lecture. You will have to listen and you will listen. I know that you can think of this as a additional work added to the loads of work you have, but when you make your own exam questions, it will stick into your head and never come out. By making the study questions for yourself, you are already studying for the exam. So, I don't think of it as a time wasting process. I think it is very effective and efficient and most of all it works!~
Another strategy I would recommend is the Topic Outline. Even for exam crammers, I think this is vital. There is a big difference between a crammer who doesn't have a topic outline and who does. As I have mentioned above, I was once an exam crammer, but I still had a topic outline (which is what saved me from failing all the courses). Topic outline will let you know instantly what to study and where to search the info. Instead of panicking, you can immediately get to the study materials and start studying!
Both strategies worked great for me as well. The review sheet works great especially if you are motivated and really push yourself of making one to get good grade. Personally I make few or more questions after every lecture and that way I will have a set of review sheet before an exam. It's kind of nice addition to the 20 minute test prep. Topic outline also works great when studying for an exam. It gives you an idea where to start and what to focus on.
ReplyDeleteI am usually busy writing the notes in the screen or writing what the professors are saying in class, so I never thought about writing down questions that I have during the lecture. But, it does seems to be effective because you will then need to focus on what the professor is saying and listen carefully to the lecture. I have used Topic Outline couple of times when I had an exam. Topic Outline is a great strategy to use to easily look what is going to be on the exam, and can be familiar with the main topics that is going to be in it. Good job, Agent Jerry boy.
ReplyDeleteThe two methods you have used worked great for me. Although I don't take the questions down during chemistry class due to the fact that my professor provides all the questions and no others, the questions added up and is being very helpful as I am studying chemistry at this moment. The other strategy Topic Outline allowed me to organize the materials into simple parts, so I was visually able to distinguish the amounts of materials in certain topics and knew how I had to manage my time so that I spend more times with more important topics and vice versa. Overall, good job Jerry
ReplyDeleteThe topic outline also worked great for me! Before studying for the exam, I was all confused with which materials we've covered so far and which materials I should start studying first. However, as I began to create my own topic outline, I was able to organize all the materials in one page and study through in one by one. I also used to cram all the information and start studying the day before, which did not turn out great. However, just liek how you do, I now take a small amount of everyday, studying consistently. And so far, it is working out great for me! Great job Jerry!
ReplyDeleteI like your sentence, "it will stick into your head and never come out". I made study questions as well, and I believe they can help out in tons of ways. I never thought of making them during lectures, but it is an interesting thing to try, it should get me more focused during the lectures. Glad to know that you utilized topic outlines. I have not tried it yet, but I am planning to for my next upcoming exam. I did not know that it would help in any way, but I learned that becoming more organized with your topics and materials will eventually help you out in the long run. Procrastinating is a no no at college. Cramming is too hard for yourself and it makes taking the exam harder too! Consistent, everyday work is what is important in my opinion.
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