How to Study for Tests and Exams

Can you recall what your marks were on your last tests/exams? Did you do really well or not so well this time around? Your study habits can really impact the outcome of the mark you receive on your tests and exams. If you didn't do so well you probably didn't study enough or there is something you didn't quite understand.

Here are some tips on how to study for tests and exams in order to improve your test scores. If you didn't do so well for mid-terms there is still time to try out some of these methods for finals.

Repetition & Practice - The more you read your text and the material covered in class the more it will become absorbed in your mind (this also means taking good notes in class). Even if you can allocate half an hour to one hour a day on any given course you are falling behind on, the better your chances of getting caught up. Not only that but you will slowly become more familiarized with the content. Here is the way I see it...the first time you go through the material, you are being introduced to it; the second time around you are becoming familiar with it; and the third time around you might be able to intuitively recall terms and concepts that  you can explain with more confidence than the first time you were introduced to it. Be careful not to memorize what you are reading, rather you are able to understand the overall concepts. When it comes to test time all of that practice and repetition will hopefully prevent you from having a brain blockage.


Making Notes - For each topic covered, taking notes for each class and each chapter is important. Naturally the brain retains new information when things are written down. I routinely go back and forth between typing notes on the computer or just taking notes by hand. Using different highlighters to underline key concepts is a great way to know what to review when it comes studying for test/exam time. Try to refresh your mind by reviewing notes regularly so that the information does not slip away.

Make-up Practice Tests - Get prepared for your tests and exams by doing practice tests repeatedly. If there is a concept or something that you didn't understand get help at least a week prior to writing so that you can review, practice, and better familiarize yourself with the area of weakness. I like to keep on doing the tests until I get at least 80 percent or even sometimes perfect, that way I am getting the repetition I need.



By achieving high marks you have something to pride your self with, especially after all the time and effect you have put forth. Getting high marks does not come without making it a focus! You can be the smartest person in your class and ace your test without studying but if you don't do those major assignments you aren't going to get the greatest grade for that course.  

Make sure you are sufficiently setting a little bit of time aside everyday/week so that you can review and study for upcoming tests or exams. 

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Healthy Lifestyle Tips for Students

Eat, Sleep, and Breath…

 

Have you seriously thought about how healthy your lifestyle habits are, since the beginning of this semester? Are you the type of person that goes sleep deprived for days? Do you sometimes lose track of time that you forget to refuel your energy with something nutritious to eat? Do you engage in any sort of physical activity at all to help cope with the stresses of everyday life? If you answered ‘no’ to most of these questions, you might seriously want to think about what you are doing to your own well-being in the long run. 

I know it all sounds cliché, but you are probably doing yourself more harm than good when you don’t take care of your health. I’m no expert and I know individuals vary from one another, but have you already caught the ‘bug’ that’s been floating around school recently? When it comes to getting sick, I don’t mess around. I’m pretty sure I’ve been cold/flu free for about a good two years now…call it a strong immune system or whatever you like; I choose to believe I always do my best to do the following in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle and avoid getting any sort of ‘bug.’

Eat Regularly – Eating regularly (especially breakfast) is one of the smallest things you can do to get your brain going for those early morning classes. I always try and do my best to do breakfast (along with my morning coffee of course), however it’s not always possible. If you can get into the routine of having a little something to eat in the morning it will become natural to you over time. I also always try and pack a snack or two that I can munch on throughout the day when I notice I haven’t eaten anything for long period; this way I can quickly refuel. Did you know that in most cases when you are really hungry it is because you are dehydrated? For this reason, I always pack a water bottle so that I can keep myself hydrated throughout the day or drink it when I am feeling hungry all of a sudden. 

Don’t Deprive Yourself of Sleep – I know it is hard when you have got sooo many things due in the same day/week, but I think one of the worst things you can do is deprive yourself of sleep by going to sleep at exceptionally late hour, or pulling an all nighter. If you are NOT a PROCRATINATOR then there should be no reason to pull an all nighter. Of course, I might just be a little biased…

I have noticed that by getting sufficient sleep I am much more focused and energized the next day. If you constantly deprive yourself of sleep you are not having just a bad day but you are also setting yourself up for a rough week. 

Sleep is important for an overall healthy lifestyle, because not only will you be more energized and focused but you might also notice it is also better on the appearance of your skin! 

Find Some Form of Physical Activity – I know some people are just not into physical activity in any way, shape, or form but physical activity a few times a week will boost your overall energy and of course it is a better for your overall health. For myself personally, I just CANNOT do the gym…and when I go for a jog the same thing runs through my mind every single time “I absolutely hate jogging”…I don’t know why I still end up trying to convince myself that I actually like doing. My enjoyment in physical activity is actually playing on various sports teams. I personally like the social aspect, fun, competitiveness, and team dynamics that all come along with the game. So if you are like me and you have failed at every attempt to go to the gym, or some other type of physical activity, maybe you would prefer a team setting or vice versa. Maybe you might prefer to go bike riding, roller blading, or swimming in the summer months. If you can try to do something physical a few times a week you will be doing yourself a huge favor by maintaining a healthy lifestyle but you will also find that you are more energized overall. 

I know what it is like to be in bed with the flu and then falling behind, then having to catch up! I hope these tips might motivate or inspire you to change something in your routine that you know you should be doing in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle, and so that you don't put your own immune system in jeopardy. Again, don’t take for granted your own health. Maintain your stress levels, focus, and energy by eating properly, getting plenty of rest, and engaging in a physical activity a few times a week.

 

Setting Short Term and Long Term Goals to Achieve Success

Inspiring video to help you start setting YOUR goals!


I never to use to believe in setting goals. I was always the type of person to take things as they came along and not really plan where I wanted to be. Having this type of mentally has interfered with my capability to challenge myself. For me, setting short term and long term goals helps guide the path and keep you on track with where you want to be in life but also it is a sure way to achieve success.

Short Term Goals - If you are the type of person that has difficult setting goals, my suggestion is to start by setting your short term goals. For example, for this semester of college or university how many courses will you taking? Take it a step further, can you or will you be taking spring/summer courses that can help you finish your program faster? Have you considered taking an accelerated class (twice a week) so that you can finish a course sooner? I did this for the very first time in spring for my Business of Finance course and it was one of the greatest decisions. Not only did I finish sooner so I could focus on my other course for the rest of the summer but the material actually stays more fresh in your mind when you are attending a class twice a week. After you have planned your goals for the semester, take it to the next step and brainstorm what it is that you want to accomplish over then span of a year. Setting short term goals will help you to achieve your goals what it is you are focused on accomplishing. 

Long Term Goals – Once you have set short terms goals, you can also look at the broader scope of things and start thinking about long term goals. Yes it can be a little overwhelming to try and depict the long term outcome of your life but in my opinion it is not a bad thing to know where you want to be in life. Setting long term goals will help you get there. If you are older setting long term goals becomes more important, since new factors such as a full-time career, or starting/having a family really determines your ability to accomplish these goals. 

Everyone is different and personalities are also different; some individuals may already have their entire plan of life drawn out while others are not really sure what path they want to take. In either case, if you think about setting short term and long term goals you will find that your ambitions or goals are going to change along the way. There is nothing wrong with this because that is the purpose of setting goals; the find out where you want to be and work your way to get there! By setting goals that are in line with where you eventually want to be in life, you are going to be able to achieve success whether it is financially, mentally, or family oriented.

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Planning & Organization - A Key Skill In Life

This week’s effective tip for students is an obvious one, but yet it is difficult for students to
follow through with mastering skills of planning and organization. If you can get into the habit early of how to master planning and organization, it will make life through college, university, or any other course of study that much easier. 

Plan Ahead – When you plan ahead of time you are able to foresee and work around what major projects or events you have coming up. This gives you the ability to prioritize what needs to be done. Also, by regularly monitoring your to-do list, this will help you remember the most critical tasks that must be taken care of. 

How Will Planning Ahead Benefit You? 

You will find that planning is a skill that most employers seek. Being able to demonstrate that you have an action “plan” and can prioritize your tasks wisely will always be appreciated in the workplace. 

Stay Organized – Staying organized and knowing exactly where things are, not only means increased productivity but it means that you are capable of managing yourself; in turn, it is a great trait to have. 

How Will Organization Benefit You?

Staying on top of things will make things that much effortless for you. When you are at war with being organized it can lead to frustration. Always having a certain place for things and some kind of a system will invite others in the school or working environment to ask you questions rather than avoiding you as a resource. 

Here is an article on Tips for Organization http://smallbusiness.chron.com/tips-effective-planning-organization-11224.html

  

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