Exam Day: Survival Tips

Test-Taking

Part 3

Identify key words.

This helps you focus on the main idea of challenging questions.

Rephrase difficult questions.

To understand questions better, rewrite them in your own words. Be careful not to change the meaning.

Organize your thoughts before you write.

Take time to organize your responses to short- answer and essay questions. You’ll reduce the time you need to revise.

Write neatly

Be sure you don’t lose points on answers the teacher can’t read.

Use all the time you’re given.

If you finish early don’t leave. Use the extra time to proofread and review your answers.

Choose the right!!!

Take control of homework

So it doesn't control you

Part 3

Take Advantages of any free time

If you have a study period or a long bus ride, use the time to review notes, prepare for an upcoming class or start your homework. Flash cards are a great learning tool. They are easy to make, easy to handle, and are a marvelous tools to help you learn and remember anything. Punch a hole in the upper left corner of each index card and connect the stack of cards with a ring. Then the cards are bound and not flopping around. Flash cards bound like this act like a small book with pages. You can even separate ringed stacks for each subject. WHATEVER YOU WANT TO REMEMBER PUT IT ON A CARD.

Study with a friend

Get together with friends and classmates to quiz each other, compare notes and predict test questions. Consider joining a study group.

Communicate

If you have concerns about the amount or type of homework you have, you may want to talk to your friend, teachers or counselor. They can help understand how much time you need to allot for homework and how to manage your tasks.

Celebrate your Achievements

Reward yourself for hitting milestones or doing something well.

Choose the right!!!

Note-Taking Strategies

Part 3

http://www.collegeboard.com/student/plan/college-success/955.html

After Class     

As soon as class ends, review your notes and fill in any blanks. Underline, highlight and use symbols to sort through the information. If you don’t understand something, get help from your teacher or classmates.

After you’ve reviewed all your notes from class, in the left-hand area of the page write down key words and questions your teacher might ask on a test.

At the bottom of each page, write a summary of the notes. This helps you digest what you’ve learned. It also improves your memory of the material for the long term and for tests down the road.

Choose the Right!!!

Distance Education: Is a Virtual Classroom for You?

Part 3

Challenging Aspects of Distance Education

·        Lack of in-person interaction: Some educators argue that both teacher-student and student-student contact are essentials to learning. in a distance-learning classroom, you may be able to participate in class discussions online in chat rooms, message boards or Web conferences—but it’s not the same as being with other students in a classroom.

·        Different levels of quality: Many distance-education programs supply an excellent learning experience, but others may not. Research any program before signing on to make sure it’s rigorous enough. If you are choosing your own program, look into its accreditation before enrolling.

·        The need to self-start: Distance education lets you make your own schedules. If you have a hard time getting motivated, this might not be the ideal educational setting for you.

Choose the right!!!

Balancing High School and Part-Time Work

Part 3

Brad MacGowan, of the Career Center at Newtown North High School in Massachusetts, thinks that working can be a valuable part of a student’s life, if taken on responsibility. “You can derive a great deal from working, considerably more than just money,” he says. “In most cases, you can acquire a nice dose of discipline and a whole new set of skills and experiences. “In addition, your supervisor may be willing to write a strong college recommendation for you. School Comes First

Schoolwork, including homework and studying for tests, should always be your top priority. MacGowan cautions students who do decide to work, “If you are rushing through your assignments… on not studying enough for tests because of work, it’s time to cut back or quit and find a less time-consuming job.”

CHOOSE THE RIGHT!!!

Selecting Your Courses

Part 3

Science

Science teaches you to think analytically and apply theories to reality. Colleges want to see that you've taken at least three years of laboratory science classes. A good combination includes two semesters of each of the following sciences:

·        Biology

·        Chemistry or physics

·        Earth/space science

More competitive schools expect you to take four years of lab science courses. You can add two semesters in one of the following subjects: More competitive schools expect you to take four years of lab science courses. You can add two semesters in one of the following subjects:

·        Chemistry or physics (the science you didn't already study)

·        Advanced biology

·        Advanced chemistry

·        Advanced physics

Choose the Right!!!

How to Take on College Studying

Part 3

Do the Reading

You need to do more than just read the chapters you are assigned- you’re expected to understand them thoroughly. Here are some tips:

·        Don’t skim. Read all the material carefully.

·        Break up difficult assignments into sections you can digest- chapters, subsections or even paragraphs.

·        Look up any word that you don’t understand.

·        Pause to think about whether you understand the material; ask questions in class about anything that is unclear.

·        Take notes instead of highlighting- this makes you think through and rephrase the key points.

·        Create a summary sheet of what you learned from each assignment you read.

Choose the right!!!