Ways to save your sanity as exam week draws near

By Nathan Wolf
Published: Friday, April 22, 2005
Like it or not, the most dreaded time of the year is fast approaching. Summer is just around the corner, but there is only one thing standing in the way: final exams.  Finals can be excruciating for many, but with the right techniques and study habits, breezing through them might be easier than it seems. 

"First, students need to find their own individual learning style," said Lynell Williams, UNCW Tutoring and Learning Center coordinator.  Learning styles are grouped into four categories: Visual, Auditory, Read-Write, and Kinesthetic.  Williams said each style has techniques that work best for people in that group.The right place to study differs for everyone, but there are some general habits to follow," Williams said.  She recommends studying somewhere where you can control the lighting, as well as avoiding well-trafficked areas.  "The worst place to study would have to be in bed," said Williams, "People associate the bed with sleeping and the lighting is usually not good."

Laura Symons, National Tutoring Association treasurer, said there are a few things that make studying more helpful.
"When you start to study, gather all of the information and create practice exams for yourself," Symons said.  Symons also suggests reviewing the information on the exam thoroughly within 24 hours of test time, concentrating on unsure items the most.

Williams also advises studying different topics back to back.  "You use different parts of your brain for different subjects, so studying diverse topics right after one another clears your head and is better for your brain," Williams said. 

Now that the studying is done, there are also some helpful hints about taking the exams themselves.  "If it's a multiple choice test, cover up the answers before reading the questions," Symons said. She said this will make answers pop into the brain before the answer choices are read.  For multiple-choice tests, Symons also suggests eliminating obvious wrong answers first, then concentrating on finding the best answer.  "If it's an essay test, write on every other line," Symons said, "that way, you can go back in and write other ideas that might come to you later on.  "She also said to notice how the points are divided on the test, and spend time in each section accordingly, so that way time won't run out on you.

Though these are general tips, some things will work better than others for different people.  "Everyone learns differently, so everyone should try various techniques and find out the ones that work best for them," Williams said.
For more information about study tips, or to set up an appointment to take a learning style inventory, contact the UNCW Tutoring and Learning Center at 962-3549, or visit their Web site at: http://www.uncwil.edu/stuaff/tlc/.

   

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