Basics on How to Study

By Joyce Woodford

Start on the first day of class.

Do all the right stuff all along. You know... go to all the classes ... do all the homework...STUDY...from the beginning.
Get enough sleep (that means about 8 hours every night) all along.
Eat right. Yup, your Mom was right... You are what you eat.
Each class meeting, ask yourself what might be on a test. Get the answer.
Keep excellent class notes.

NOW, here's more on how you can LEARN AS YOU GO....

Some things have to be memorized
- make lists of them
- use mnemonic devices to remember the lists
- give yourself enough time to memorize the information
Have several study review sessions. Don't try to do it all at once.
Study beyond simple recognition of the information.
Know the teacher's style.
Go to all the review sessions.
Picture yourself doing well.

And while you're taking the test...

Arrive early. Bring everything you need. Bring extra stuff too.
Walk into the test knowing you genuinely have prepared your best.
Be certain you understand all directions.
Get settled and remain relaxed.
Review the entire test and organize your thoughts before beginning.
Know if you should guess what you don't know, or if there will be a penalty for guesses.
Work steadily, skipping what you don't know and coming back to it.
Look for clues in the questions.
- read questions carefully
- know exactly what is being asked:
  - does the question have multiple parts?
  - multiple negatives?
  - qualifiers?
  - absolutes?
  - any key words or phrases?
  - agreement clues (i.e., single or plural) ?
  - space clues (i.e., long or short answer)?
- look for answer clues in other questions
when you answer, provide too much information rather than too little
be concrete and factual unless instructed otherwise
remember tips your teacher gave - you studied and you ave prepared!!!
Keep your work neat.
Review your answers before you hand them in.
Don't worry about what anyone else is doing in the test.
Think positive. Do your best. Breathe.

Then AFTER an exam or quiz