Increased heart rate, tensed mind, irritability, depression, lack of interest and inability to concentrate.

Most students have problems concentrating. The key is in creating an environment for study:

   1. Find a place to study and keep it for study only.

   2. Control noise level and draw curtains to stop you from looking outside.

   3. Avoid relaxing while working; create a work atmosphere.

You should follow these time-tested golden rules.

1. Concentrate on one thing at a time.

2. Plan your day each morning or the night before and set priorities for yourself. 

3. Determine how many days you have before the exam.

4. List any obligations such as classes, labs and other commitments which cannot be put off. Be sure to schedule time for eating and study breaks. Allow yourself some time to unwind. Total the remaining time which is your study hours.

5. If there is too little time available, look for hidden time such as time between classes, time to and from school, etc.

6. Set study goals before you begin each period of study (number of pages, number of problems, etc.). Plan the length of your study period by the amount of material you have decided to cover, not by the clock.

7.Start with short study periods and slowly build to longer periods but only if you can maintain concentration.

8. List all topics sure to be a part of the test. List important subtopics for each.

9. Survey or skim all the materials to be covered, checking those to be studied indepth.

10. Orally recite or write answers.

11. Break up the content of study by mixing up subjects and building up variety.

   1. Best during the day and early evening; you'll remember better.

   2. Best when adequate rest periods are provided.

1. Pay attention while you're learning.

2. Be sure you fully understand the material. (One good test: Can you explain it to someone else so he or she will understand?)

3. Try to see the significance of what you're learning. See how what you're learning is part of a larger whole and if the same principles can be adapted to something else.

4. Associate new material with related facts. (Even if new material seems to disagree with previous learning, you have a valuable hint for recalling it later.)

5. Organize the material so you can file it in its proper place in your memory. If you have organized carefully, remembering part of something will enable you to remember the rest.

6. If there is a basis for doing so, divide and group your material. Information is best taken in as "little bunches".

7. Reinforce what you have learnt through repetition and usage. You will not remember something you don't use.

8. Devote as little time as possible to reading and as much time as possible testing yourself, reviewing, organizing, and relating the concepts and facts, mastering the technical terms, formulas, etc., and thinking of applications of the concepts.

1. Survey the chapter you are about to read by first reading major titles and headings.

2. Next, skim the chapter or the main ideas.  By getting a look at the big picture, you'll be able to better understand and retain the details.

3. Good reading is selective reading. It involves selecting those sections that are relevant to your purpose in reading.  Skim through the book and read topical and subtopical headings and sentences. Read the summaries at the end of chapters and books.

4. Rather than automatically rereading, take a few seconds to quiz yourself on the material you have just read and then review those sections that are still unclear or confusing to you.

5. Write these notes on paper, in sequence; then look over the jottings to get an over-all idea or picture.

6. Often exam questions are based on what you have already read and completed. If you can't remember the answer you need, try to remember a related idea or concept. For example, if you can't remember the answer to a question, try to remember the example the teacher used in class to talk about the concept. Often, this will allow your mind to begin associating until it can recall the information you need.

7. Draw diagrams, make cartoons. Use them to connect facts and illustrate relationships.

Pre-view material to be covered.

Be selective: skim chapters for main points.

Begin with five sheets of paper:            

            1. Identify five key concepts or topics that will be covered on the test.

              Enter one at the top of each page.

              Use only key words or short phrases. 

            2. In your own words, write an explanation, definition, answer, etc. of several lines or so               for the key concept.

              Do NOT use the text or your notes.

            3.Compare your response of (2) with the text and lecture notes.

            4.Edit or re-write your understanding of each topic considering this course information.

            5.Sequence and number each page of your topics 1 - 5 in order of importance.

            6.Follow the above process for two additional concepts if you have time.

            7. Follow your comfort level; add topics only as necessary.

            8.Try not to exceed nine concepts. Focus on the most important.

           9.Review on the day of the exam, but try to relax just before.

          10. Exercise regularly.

Short answer: Keep your answers brief and to the point.

Essay: Locate key points in the question. Outline your response before writing. Include or support your answers with evidence from lectures and reading.

Solving mathematical problems: Write every step. If you make a mistake somewhere, you still might receive partial credit for your work before the mistake.

Good Luck.