By Mark Mascetti |Staff Writer|
I believe the best way for students to review before an exam is to read over their notes taken in class or notes they wrote while studying, and if possible, refresh in a distraction free zone.
Studying extensively days before an exam is great, but I believe a quick refresh of the material right before the exam always helps.
“Reading through a textbook before an exam can confuse me, so instead I’ll skim over my notes as a refresher to what I previously studied,” said student James Glenn.
Some students prefer professors who post PowerPoint presentations online that allow them to do a quick review of what was taught.
I have found that if I translate what is on the presentations into my own words on paper before hand, I will comprehend and remember the information better.
Instead of simply reading the PowerPoint slides right before class, read the notes you wrote about the information and use that as a refresher.
If you have access to an environment limited with distractions, use that to your advantage and refresh before the exam.
“I learned recently in a psychology class that if you study in a quiet room, without even knowing it, you will focus more on what you’re studying and do better,” Glenn added.
I personally have found this to be completely true as I always review at home before an exam, then show up to class a few minutes early and study while waiting for the professor to arrive.
Even with my headphones plugged in, the people around me can distract me from studying.
Glenn said that there really is no wrong or right answer to studying as long as it is effective for the individual. But for him, studying must take place in a quiet area.
One easy environment with minimal distractions can be in a vehicle.
The advantages of studying in your car before an exam are that it can be a quiet, distraction free zone, and it is within close distance to the location of your exam.
This means you could be refreshing your memory for the exam up to about five or ten minutes before it starts.
With finals coming up, I hope students can take advantage of these suggestions and implement them to whatever works best for themselves.
Finish strong and show those finals who’s boss by one easy trick: reviewing beforehand.
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