This week, we discussed strategies focused on how to prepare for an exam. This is one of the topic that I was really looking forward to, because no matter how hard and long I study and prepare for an exam, I never seem to get a comparable grade for my effort. So, the strategies that will help me to boost my grades? Count me in! I was eager to spend my time with strategies and apply them to my exam preparation schedule.
Since my assignment for next class is to create a source outline and topic outline for a test I will be taking in another course, I decided to apply them to my NSD 225 class and also show how I used it as one of my strategy for this weeks blog. My NSD 225 exam is exactly in two weeks so the timing is perfect for the exam prep project as well. I felt so much more organized and prepared after creating source outline and topic outline. Instead of hunting down the pages and things I need to read, I now have a guideline that will lead me to the pages and handout to prepare for my exam.
Source Outline for NSD 225 Exam 2
The source outline is really helpful because it organizes you. You can identify where the material is that you need to review. Theres no time wasted to hunt down the pages and handouts you need to read and asking friends about the chapter pages. It's also neat and motivates you to really study and finish those pages. I organized the source outline with chapters and general concepts that will be on the test. Because I wrote on the handout itself, it was much easier for me to organize the lecture and handout section of the outline. I know my notes and important thing professor said are in my handouts so I just wrote the general topic there to remind me.
Topic Outline for NSD 225 Exam 2
The topic outline is little different than topic outline because you need to divice the material into sections by topic rather than source. Its still good way to organize your exam prep schedule but topic outline is really about organizing by topic and helps you consolidate the information into one place and by topic. After creating both source and topic outline, I realized that both works really well together and because they are designed to work together, I think it's important to follow the instructions on the textbook and really learn how to use it properly. I follow the sample topic outline posted on blackboard which worked perfectly for my NSD topic outline. The headings and other structures might need a change depending on the subject, but for most of the classes, this sample template is a great start to make your own. For topic outline, I divided each topics and wrote down the chapter, pages, and handout that go along with the topic. This way, I can just cross out or highlight the topics that I'm done with and move on to the next.
The second strategy that I've been using is the 20 minute test prep. I was little skeptical about this strategy at first, mostly due to my laziness, but after trying it out for few times, I was hooked to the idea and its effectiveness. I use 20 minute test prep for my nutrition class. After the lecture, I go over the handout and the notes that I took on the handout. I went one step further and every lecture, I make test questions based on the lecture and notes for that day. This way, I will have a good study guide or study questions before the exam. Here are the study guide that I made for exam 1 using the above strategy.
Test 1 Review for NSD 225
Test 1 Review for NSD 225
Hey chan, it seems limitless of how much you can accomplish on your iphone. I have tried two strategies you have used. The source outline allowed me to visually see the amount of materials that i have to study for the exam. Thus it allowed me to manage my time better and spent my time more efficiently. Along with the source outline, the topic outline further helped me to see how much materials were contIned in major topic. Such organization of materials in overall really makes you think about how you will use your time and i suggest you keep on using this method in the future. Good job agent ChanHee
ReplyDeleteI can't believe there's still something to talk about the iphone application as study guide. Seems like there's nothing that iphone can't do! Since I don't have an iphone, I can't really try your method and tell you how it worked for me, but I can see that it works very well for you.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I like how you are not solely depending on the iphone for your test prep but instead also trying out the strategy given out on CLS 105 class. Good job Chan!
Yo, Agent Chan, is the first and second picture a snapshot of an application in iPhone? It looks really neat! Good job in making the outlines. They look very organize. You're now able to look at the guidelines of the exam more easily. I think I will try that strategy so I can get more organized. I also created my own questions for the exam. It really helped me in both ways: I was able to study while making the questions, and I was also able to guess what kind of traps the professor might put in. Hope you will get a good result in this class.
ReplyDeleteYour outlines are very clear, and organized. I see that you are not only organized yourself, but with the use of your technology, you can make it a couple times better. I never dared to try out source/topic outlines because I just thought they would not be any help to me. I always thought that all I need to do is just know all the materials in any way possible, by reading out the chapters and going over the notes as I can. However, as I see how you were making and using your source/topic outlines, I learned that this will make your thoughts become more organized, thus clearer. If you think you are missing some knowledge on some of the topics, you can go right back and gain it back. As for the 20min test prep, it is a way better idea to review everyday at least for 20 minutes. This way, you will know your materials better and remember them afterall. You got to teach me on those technology uses agent.
ReplyDeleteChan, I am glad that you are still a big fan of Apple Applications. And I am shocked that you are still able to use more applications as we progress toward the semester. You seem like you are very enthusiastic when it comes to your iPhone and iPad. This is good because you have some sort of motivation when you are studying. I just can't wait to see what other applications you will pull out next week. You never cease to amaze me. Good Job!
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