I am often asked, “How do I study for exams?” This question actually sets the tone for “horse-drawn-horse” because the most effective way to study for exams is to do your homework on time, ask questions in class, and read the information as it is taught, not just memorize the night before. There are simple ways to do these tasks, but this article will assume that you have a test tomorrow and need some help ... now!
How the Mind Works
Extending your study time, it helps to know how your brain works. The most important thing your brain does is to learn new information, to connect new knowledge with ideas you already know. For example, you should know about earthquakes before you can understand the Richter Scale. The connection process is important! When you try to learn new information, it is usually because you cannot communicate with something you already understand. If you have ever had a moment when something was finally “clicked,” that was the time when your brain connected.
Communication helps you learn new information, but visual images help you remember them. Visual images are powerful tools for improving memory because the brain often thinks about images. Pictures, graphs, maps, and symbols help your mind discover new ideas, see relationships between ideas, and provide you with an image to "connect" new information.
Next, your mind remembers better "first" and "last;" the first few sentences you read, the last few ideas your teacher said, etc. For example, as the teacher teaches in the classroom, it is common to listen for the first few minutes before drifting into daydreams. Eventually, you feel that the talk is about to end, so you "take" attention and hold the last few sentences. Because of this, you can learn as much as you can in three, 30-minute lessons as much as you can in three straight hours of study.
Lastly, your brain needs to be healthy in order to function properly. Proper sleep, nutrition, and hydration help you to think clearly while studying and while exploring.
So, how do you study that exam?
** App **
Step 1: Know the test format. Ask your teacher or call your friend, but you need to know that you are preparing a lot of choice questions or essays.
Step 2: Collect all homework, worksheets, handouts (You saved all of this, didn't you?), And notes covering the items checked. Create two groups of papers by dividing the questions with limited assignments.
Step 3: Open your text-book in the checked sections and "read" the pictures, graphs, and drawings; look at each one, read the footnotes, and ask yourself, What does this picture mean? Why is it here? What did I learn about this at school? "These interactive questions stimulate your memory in class lessons and activities and help your brain" stick to new information coming out of your notes and handouts.
Step 4: Take a short reading break, 2-4 minutes every 30 minutes. Get a drink, do a few jumping Jacks, or take a short snack to refresh your mind.
Step 5: Review your questionnaire and set tasks. These are gold! Pay attention to all the questions you have at the beginning. Get the right answers and make sure you understand your mistakes. Read all the other questions, notes, and diagrams in these papers. As you read each issue or paragraph, pause and think about the link to one of the pictures from your textbook.
Step 6: Create a 5 × 8 “cheat sheet”. Of course, I'm not suggesting that you cheat, but making a cheat sheet as you read is a very good learning process. In high school, one teacher should use one 5 × 8-inch notion card when taking tests. We have thought carefully about the information we may need before writing anything down. Interestingly, we rarely looked at the card when we checked because the process of thinking about what was most important, and then writing it down, helped us to remember the information.
Step 7: Review your remaining handouts and notes. First, look at the visuals on these pages. Then read the headings and subheadings on each page and answer the questions. Read the text to help you answer your questions. This technique helps you to identify key points and to think about “question mode,” which is what you will do in the test.
Step 8: Read your “cheating sheet”. Now that you have reviewed all your study aids, you should memorize the essentials, such as definitions, formulas, dates, “five essentials for ...” or “three most important things about…” Create potential test questions from the information on your cheat sheet, and then reply. Connect with things you already know ... class activities, picture books, or mindless things like Never Eat Shredded Wheat to remember the clock sequence north, east, south, and west.
Step 9: Sleep well at night. Have a good breakfast. Drink water to keep your brain full of water.
Step 10: Read your first cheat sheet in the morning. Read it again on the bus and before your exam. Then, PUT it (not real cheat sheet) and have fun ... You'll do just fine!
** in Conclusion **
As you read, follow these suggestions:
- Know the format of your test.
- Collect all learning resources. Pay attention to "incorrect" problems in previous tests / questions.
- "Read" what you see in your text and pensions.
- Create a "trick sheet" for important information to memorize.
Take advantage of your brain's natural learning process by connecting "new" information to "old," visual images, taking a short 30-minute reading break, and sleeping, drinking, and eating well.
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