Here is a method of
studying that gives you
an accurate perception of how
well you know the material, and forces you to think
about it, rather than just look over it.
- Review your notes and
readings frequently, so the material is
"fresh"
- As you're reading your
text or reviewing your notes,
generate and write down questions about the material.
Imagine you're teaching the course. What questions
would you ask on the exam?
- Keep track of any
terms you need to know
- Write each question or
term on the back of an index card
- On the front of each index
card, write an
answer
or an explanation for the question or term on the
back.
Use your notes and text for a reference, but put the
answer or explanation in your own words whenever
possible
- Shuffle the index
cards (so
you can't figure out any answers based on their
location in the deck
- Look at the card on
the top of the deck:
Try to answer the question or explain the term. If you
know it, great! Put it on the bottom of the deck. If
you don't know it, look at the answer, and put it a
few cards down in the deck (so you'll come back to it
soon)
- Proceed through the
deck of cards until you know all of the information
Some Tips:
- Carry your cards with
you everywhere.
Take advantage of little pockets of time. Test
yourself while you're waiting on line, riding the bus,
etc.
- If you think you know
an answer,
but can't put it into words, you probably don't know
it well enough.
Being able to explain the information is the only way
to be sure that you know it. It's also the best way to
prevent test anxiety
- Consider testing
yourself someplace where nobody can see you
(and think you're crazy), and reciting the answers out
loud. That's the best way to be sure that you can
explain them
- Study with a friend
from your class.
You can share ideas and help each other out with
concepts. Also, you can use each other to make sure
that you're explaining your answers adequately
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