So, most of us students are about to bravely embark on yet another school year. A few of us are sadly still finishing up summer classes (I'm relieved not to be one of them this year). When we look ahead to our first test of the semester, we always swear to ourselves that we will be super-prepared and blow it out of the water. We say to ourselves: "This will be the semester that I master the art of studying". Ha. Yes, that's pretty much the high point of the semester, and it usually goes down from there as your exams come back and your class grade begins to solidify into a lower percentage than you had hoped for.
Guys, I seriously need to sell some books. This is ridiculous.
Anyways, back to the student's eternal question: How do I study for an exam? Well, we've all heard it--everyone is different and we have to each find the method of studying that works best for us. Oh, and don't forget that we have to eat a three course meal for breakfast, get 10 hours of sleep, and never study the morning of the exam. Obviously I'm exaggerating. I'm not the world's top expert on studying, but I'll share a few things that have helped me.
1* Stay AWAY from your computer! (Unless you absolutely have to use it)
My laptop can be so distracting for me when I'm trying to study. I have all my notes and PowerPoints on my laptop so I try to convince myself that I need it near to me throughout my study time. Unfortunately, I have very poor self control. It starts off by quickly checking Facebook (and is there really such a thing as quickly checking FB?)....Oh wait, I'd better check my emails too--on all three email accounts...Ok, let me just glance to see if there are any new shows on Hulu....Agh! A new episode! Well, I think it's time for me to take a little break anyway....That is how it begins. I hide my laptop under my bed, shut my bedroom door, take my textbook and go into another room--and sometimes onto a different floor--to read and study. My sister, who is taking Microbiology this summer, came into my room the other day with a painful expression on her face. "Keep my computer away from me," she said handing me her bright pink MacBook, "I spent 2 hours watching A Very Potter Musical."
2* Never Study On Your Bed.
This may seem like a no-brainer to you all, but I'm still tempted to do it. my room is my sanctuary and I like to hang out there. But unless you are a cyborg, or otherwise have freakishly powerful stamina, you will fall asleep--especially if you are reading a textbook. Don't.
3* Keep Close to a Food Source.
My only issue with studying in the library is that usually you're not allowed to eat or drink there. Also, the chairs are normally hard and cut off the circulation to your lower extremities. But back to the point--> I cannot focus unless I know that food and drink are accessible to me. Call me a glutton, but if the food is far, my mind will wander easily. If the food is close, I'll be at peace--even though I might end up not even eating anything.
4* Music vs. Silence
This truly is a different animal for everyone. Personally, its hard for me to study if I'm listening to lyrical music that I'm already familiar with. If the music is unfamiliar or purely instrumental than I have no problem with it. However, I suspect that I probably study best with silence. My mind is noisy enough as it is...
5* Notecards vs. A Study Sheet
Personally, a study sheet helps me more than notecards because I can photographically diagram the studysheet in my mind and reference it like a map during the exam (Ex. Hypokalemia was on the left side of the sheet, highlighted in yellow, hypercalcemia was on the lower right side highlighted in blue). Notecards have the serious drawback of taking really long to make. Most of my friends just make notecards as part of their study method. The actual writing out of the information helps them as they're studying, but they rarely have time to go back and review the notecards.
Ok, wow. Am I a hoarder?
Possibly my most favorite soliloquy of all time...
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