Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
Day one.
Spend your first day organizing all of your notes and materials.
Make an outline of all your study materials.
Make sure you don't have any notes missing.
If you do have notes missing, ask a student in your class
to borrow theirs or ask your professor.
Once your notes are organized, study important material first.
For example, anything your professor emphasized in class or
stated would be on the test, any highlighted material, et cetera.
So on day one, organize your notes and materials and study
the most important material.
Day two.
Spend day two reviewing material emphasized only in lectures.
Anytime you were in the classroom for a lecture,
study all of this material, including notes you took,
Powerpoints, and handouts.
So, on day two, only study lecture materials.
Day three.
On day three, only study textbook material.
Any required readings in the class should be reviewed
on this day.
Any chapters that were discussed for the class should
be reviewed this day.
So, on day three, only study textbook material.
Day four.
On day four, combine the lecture and textbook material
you studied on days two and three.
Review all of this material together and make connections
between your notes and your textbooks.
If you find that you have questions,
ask your professor immediately.
So, on day four, review all material.
Day five.
On day five, repeat day two by only reviewing
your lecture notes.
Remember, it is important to switch up the material
you study each day.
You should not study the same material everyday,
but switch between lecture notes and textbook materials
while studying for an exam.
So, on day five, only review your lecture notes.
Day six.
On day six, repeat day three by only reviewing
your textbook materials.
Once again, it is important to switch up your studying
technique and focus on different material each day.
So, on day six, only review your textbook materials.
Day seven.
On day seven, repeat day four by reviewing all of your
study material again.
This day, you should look at both your lecture notes
and textbook materials.
Spend extra time focusing on areas you have had trouble
understanding throughout your study process.
At this point, you should be including all related material
that should be reviewed for your test.
So, on day seven, you should review all materials
for the test.
Once you have completed your Seven Day Study Plan,
you are ready for your exam, but there are some things
you should consider on exam day.
You need at least six hours of sleep the night
before your test.
Do not stay up all night studying for your exam.
You need to rest and relax your brain before you test it.
Also, make sure you eat breakfast or lunch before
your exam, but do not eat on a full stomach.
Think of your body as a car.
Can a car run without fuel?
No, and neither can you, so don't eat directly
before your exam.
Remember how your family told you not to swim for at least
30 minutes after you've eaten?
Well, think of test-taking the same way.
Do not take a test on a full stomach because your body
is busy breaking down the food and your body will be tired,
whether you know it or not.
And finally, think positively.
Do not go into an exam thinking you are going to fail,
because you probably will if you believe you will.
Instead, go into the exam believing you are going to do
well because you spent the last seven days preparing for it
and you know the material.
Be confident.
It will help you succeed.
Another common thought among college students
is that if they fail their first test,
they will step it up for the next one.
In all honesty, this hardly ever happens.
If you failed a first test, it is an immediate sign you need
to seek instruction from your professor or a tutor.
Consult with your professor if you are having problems
with the course, and especially if you fail a test.
Remember, the better you do on each test, the less hard you
will have to work to keep your grade up.
Before you are finished with this workshop, you should check
out the Student Success Center website for more information
on study strategies or other skills.
We have several handouts that give more detail about different
study strategies that are useful to you and will ensure success
at EIU.
This concludes the Better Grades in Less Time workshop
by the Student Success Center.
If you have any questions about test-taking skills or other
skills, please contact the Student Success Center
at 581-6696 or stop by for a one-on-one appointment
with one of our staff in 9th Street Hall.
Also check out any of our other podcasts while you're here.
Good luck on your journey to success.
Thank you.
♪ [music playing-- no dialogue] ♪♪.