A successful academic semester is the result of a well-developed schedule that considers long term and short term goals. A good schedule includes four activities every day: sleeping, eating, studying (in and out of class), and leisure time (including exercise).
If you do too much of one of these and skip another, your schedule will be unbalanced. When this happens, you end up being less productive in the things you do choose to do. In fact, most first year students cite poor time management as the number one reason they fail to achieve at least a “C” average during their first semester at college. Organize yourself and manage your time effectively to meet your own needs and adapt to your own strengths. Use the time at which you are most effective in studying. Everyone has a different cycle for sleeping, eating, studying, and leisure time. You need to develop your own schedule and stick to it.
It is a good idea to have several schedules:
For the semester: At the beginning of the semester, post an academic calendar in a visible place (above your desk or on your door, for example) that includes dates when you have tests, papers due, and final exams. (Most professors give these dates on a syllabus they hand out at the beginning of the semester.) This will make you aware of deadlines and prepare you for the weeks when you have many things scheduled. Using colored pens on the calendar for different classes or activities can be an added help. Utilize Semester Planners! You can also grab a printed copy from the Academic Success Center COL.LAB on the “Garden Level” of Thaw Hall.
Strategies for Different Study Plans
Guiding Principles for Test Preparation:
Test Day Tips:
- Start early
- Have a plan (and stick to it!)
- Learn deeply (not rote memorization only)
- Repeat, Repeat, Repeat!
- Practice recalling information (ask/answer many questions)
- Eat breakfast & drink water
- Don’t overdo caffeine
- Use relaxation & breathing to control test anxiety
- Arrive to test room early with all exam materials
- Scan entire exam
- Read & follow all exam directions
- Keep track of time
- Answer easiest/shortest questions first
- Tell yourself: “I can do this!”
- Ignore others that finish before you
- Reward yourself!
8 Day Study Plan
8 days before exam day –
Organize Information:
To-Do:
- Graded tests & quizzes
- Notes & handouts
- Flash cards & summaries
7 days before exam day –
Study Plan of Action:
Goals:
- Have broad sense of tested material
- Anticipate material on exam
- Make Study Guide
6 days before exam day –
Read over all information:
Goals:
- Understand big picture
- Work practice problems
- Predict and write test questions & practice answering them
5 / 4 days before exam day –
Focus on specifics:
Goals:
- Put: concepts, themes, and key ideas in own words
- Use: flow charts,diagrams and pictures in own words
- Meet with professor or tutor to clarify difficult Material
3 / 2 days before exam day –
Review everything:
Goals:
- Be able to recall everything already working with
- Self-quiz
- Work practice exam
1 day before exam day –
Final Review:
- Self-quiz again (not just mental check-off)
- Put necessary test materials in backpack
- Set out clothes for tomorrow
- Get a full night of sleep!
5 Day Study Plan
5 days before exam day –
Organize Information:
To-Do & Goals:
- Graded tests & quizzes
- Notes & handouts
- Flash cards & summaries and Read over all information:
- Have broad sense of tested material
- Understand big picture
Other important to-dos:
- Anticipate material on exam
- List main topics, concepts, and/or chapters to be studied each day
- Start working practice Problems
4 days before exam day –
Connecting with Material:
Goals:
- Put: concepts, themes, and key ideas in own words
- Meet with professor or tutor to clarify difficult Material
- Predict and write test questions & practice answering them
3 days before exam day –
Focus on specifics:
Goals:
- Use: flow charts, diagrams and pictures in own words to help remember material
2 days before exam day –
Review everything:
Goals:
- Be able to recall everything already working with
- Work a practice exam
1 day before exam day –
Final Review:
- Self-quiz again (not just mental check-off)
- Put necessary test materials in backpack
- Set out clothes for tomorrow and get a full night of sleep!