Studying for Exams

I don't know about you, but it feels like this week is taking forever as there is so much to do before the semester ends. I also hope that in addition to taking care of your course responsibilities that you have been spending some time studying for your exams! With the exams counting (in most cases) for 20% of your grade, these are an important part of your grade so it is essential that you prepare wisely for them.

Studying for exams can be daunting - especially because sometimes you don't know *how* to study. And, while, the week before exams start isn't always the ideal time to figure out what study strategies tend to work best for you, it is better late than never. The one lessson that I have learned (from both experience and from other students) is that reading your notes is NOT studying. You have to be doing something in order to really study for exams. (And yes, I am aware that for some of you and for some classes reading through your notes is sufficient, but in general as you sit there reading your notes it is common for your mind to wander and you get through reading your notes and then at the test you realize that all of the information you thought you knew was actually just familiar.)

So, perhaps in addition to just reading through your notes you could try some other ideas such as re-writing or typing your notes, go through and review your old tests - paying particular attention to questions that you answered incorrectly, review old homework assignments and worksheets, work through the study guides your teachers provided (if they gave you one), and enhance your notes by adding supplemental information such as what you have learned in the textbook or on other assignment sheets.

Once you have studied, spend some time questioning yourself to figure out the areas where you are still weak and then focus your studying on those areas. Question yourself again and hopefully you will find that you have mastered all of the information.

You do not need to panic about exams if you are prepared so spend some time studying now - it will pay off!