Student Guide
Studying for an exam should be more than just a cramming session; successful studying is an ongoing process that begins with the first day of classes and involves managing your time and learning effectively from texts, lectures, and labs. It also involves developing a foundation from which to begin your pre- exam review. This section outlines several tips and strategies that students can use to enhance their studying during university.
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Review Material Regularly
Before you can begin studying for an exam, good study habits begin much earlier in the term. To effectively study, it is essential you review regularly the material from lectures, seminars and textbooks in a consistent fashion. Get into the habit of:
Reviewing Your Notes Daily
Edit your class notes as soon as possible after class to fill in any gaps. Re-read/skim for comprehension. Make sure you staple/collect all related handouts/problems so that everything is organized. Review your notes before the next class.
Rewriting & Integrating Textbook Notes Shortly After Lecture
As soon as you have done the textbook reading, ensure it is integrated with the lecture notes in a fashion you will understand (this could mean writing the textbook content on the backside of the lecture note, the lecture note could be filled in with more detail from the text, or a new note could also be created that combines both the textbook and lecture material).
Reviewing Your Notes Weekly
At the end of each week, go through your notes for all of your classes to ensure you understand the content. Rewrite any lecture notes if they are too messy or disorganized. Organize your notes into binders or file folders. Ensure the notes are placed in sequence with other notes. Make summary notes on the important concepts and information. Look at how the material covered relates to the course as a whole.
Identifying When You Need Help (long before the exam)
Get in the habit of asking questions, going to see the professor or TA or seeking out friends to help you grasp something that isn’t making sense.
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Identify Exam Specifics
Before you can conduct any meaningful studying, you must first define the scope of the exam. You need to determine what knowledge and skills are being evaluated. Gather as much information about the exam as you can. Although it's not appropriate to ask specifically what will be asked on the exam, there is nothing wrong with requesting or finding out the following:
What does the course outline say about the exam and the focus of this course
How much is the exam worth in terms of a percentage of your final mark
Is this a required course you need to get into vet school or teacher’s college. Is this course required to complete your program
What mark would you like to get in this course. What results will you need on this particular test or exam to achieve that mark
Which lectures, readings, assignments and problems could be part of the exam
Is there a greater focus on the textbook, lectures or both
How much of the term’s content is covered by the exam (the whole term or just since the mid-term test)
What type of questions will there be and how many of each. Is it mainly multiple choice or is there a mixture of questions
Is the exam open note or open book
For problem-solving classes, will formulas be provided or do they need to be memorized. Can you take in your own formula sheet to the exam
Are there any materials you will need to bring to the exam (e.g., calculator)
How much time will be available. Does the professor expect the exam to be easy to complete during the test period or a challenge
Are the teaching assistants or the professor going to give a review session before the exam. When is it. Where is it
Is there a Supported Learning Group (SLG) for this course. SLGs are study groups led by experienced senior students. Announcements will be made in your course about SLG sessions