Strategies for Your Academic Success MIDTERM TEST TAKING STRATEGIES Dr. John Michael Domino Center for Academic Assistance Florida Gulf Coast University

Strategic Review  Organize your binder and make sure you have all of your materials – – Gods and Goddesses – Creation Myths – Destruction Myths – Heroes  Partner up with a study buddy!!!  Re-write AND Recite your notes daily – take frequent breaks!  Use index cards, post notes, and color pens.  Recite out loud - walk around the room.  Limit TV and Internet usage (Give yourself a certain amount of time and stick to it) Devote the rest of the time to your work!

Why is Reviewing Important?  Review notes after class each day – it will help you recall facts easier.  At the end of nine weeks, those who reviewed their notes within the same day recalled about 75% of the information.  Those who did not review their notes were unable to recall even 50% of the information after one day and only a little more than 20% of the information after nine weeks.  Review while things are fresh the same day - Don’t Procrastinate!

PROCRASTINATION “DO IT NOW” DONUTS Hot, Fresh, and Tasty!

PROCRASTINATION What happens to the same donuts if they are left out after two weeks ?. In two weeks the donuts will become STALE and Hard to eat!

Old Stale Information Two weeks old (or more)  What happens to information we learn today?  On the same day it’s fresh! But if we don’t take a bite of the same information in a few weeks it becomes fuzzy, stale, and hard to recall.  “Review information the same day while it’s still fresh and easy to remember.”

FOCUS for Success on Midterm Exams  Use the F-O-C-U-S method, make it a habit!  F ocus – focus on the syllabus and study guide.  O pen – open your text and your notes daily and become familiar with the content.  C ondense – condense notes to form study sheets.  U nderstand – review material you are unsure of.  S tudy – in a quiet place, such as the library. Study with a partner, in a group, and quiz one another based on the syllabus and study guide.

Write it Down!  Re-write your notes  Condense information on index cards, post notes, or study sheets.  Try to re-write it in your own words.  Use analogies or pictures to help you to recall facts.

What to do now?  someone so you have a study buddy or someone to help in case you have a question as you are studying  Make sure you have all of your notes – If you are missing notes – see a classmate – then see your teacher

VISUALIZE or Re- Write notes in Your Own Words! Draw pictures that help you to understand something you seem to be struggling to remember. The pattern of creation: Chaos – Old Rule – Power Struggle – New Rule COP –N!

What To Do Before an Exam  Talk with successful, calm, and confident friends.  Get adequate sleep – the day before the exam.  Don’t Cram – review and condense notes..  Review all quizzes – this is essential.  Make up practice test – based on notes.  Prepare, Relax, and Think Positive!

I am Already Behind What Else Can I Do?  Double your efforts – Unplug the T.V.!  Budget Time - Study & Exercise!  Carry Flashcards with you & review often!  Turn phone off  Prioritize time you have now in a planner!  Keep review and study time appointments!

CRAM with a PLAN  Focus syllabus and study guide.  Condense important information.  Use post-notes/flash cars/study list.  Recite, recite and recite, out loud.  Sleep 8 hrs. the day before exam.  Preview - the day of the test.  Prioritize study time on Daily Planner – use colors, symbols, etc.  Cancel non-essential appointments.

What To Do During the Exam  Arrive Early – sit where you feel comfortable.  Bring Bottled Water – a huge advantage!  Read Questions and Directions Carefully!  Practice breathing and exercises.  Preview exam - divide & conquer!  Prioritize time you have now in writing!  Answer multiple choice before essays.  Skip difficult questions – save them for last!  Allow a few minutes to review answers.

Test Taking Strategies  Read the question before you look at the answer.  Come up with the answer in your head before looking at the possible answers, this way the choices given on the test won't throw you off or trick you.  Eliminate answers you know are incorrect.  Read all the choices before choosing your answer..  Don't keep on changing your answer, usually your first choice is the right one, unless you misread the question.  In "All of the above" and "None of the above" choices, if you are certain one of the statements is true don't choose "None of the above" or one of the statements are false don't choose "All of the above".  In a question with an "All of the above" choice, if you see that at least two correct statements, then "All of the above" is probably the answer..