Studying for an Examination

¶ … college and university students. The process of studying for an exam, especially when not well-organized and methodical, however, may produce nearly as much anxiety as taking the exam itself. I know, from experience, both more and less effective ways to study for exams. Less effective ones are disorganized and leave students feeling overwhelmed, under-prepared, and more anxious than before they began. Effective study processes are well organized, methodical, carefully planned, and free of interruptions or distractions.

Purposes and importance of a good study process for exams include: (1) a feeling of having done one's best; (2) confidence about taking the exam; and (3) often receiving a high exam grade. The purpose of my process paper is to describe to other students, and my instructor, my most effective exam-studying process, and why, when I follow it, I feel I have done my best to prepare, am confident taking the exam, and often receive a high grade on the exam.

Materials I generally need to study from include: (1) the course textbook(s) and any notes I have taken on the book(s); (2) handouts (like extra readings) from class that could be covered; (3) hard copies of internet materials, library reserve materials, or other materials from class that might be on the exam; and (4) lecture notes from class lectures and sections. In some of my classes, like math, I ask to tape the lectures.

If I have lecture tapes to review, I bring them to my study session, plus a tape recorder and (if playing my tapes will disturb others) a set of headphones. I eat something before my study session, or (if I plan to study where food is allowed, like a friend's house) pack a light lunch or snack to eat halfway through my study session so I am not distracted by hunger.

I either turn off or leave behind my cell phone, and tell anyone who might look for me during those hours where I will be, but not to disturbed me except in an emergency. I mention approximately when I will return so no one worries about me or feels they need to check up. I find it important to do all these steps before I start studying, so my mind is clear.

If I skip any of these steps, I will not study as well, because I will be preoccupied with not having done them. I also wear comfortable clothes for studying, like sweats or something else loose, since wearing uncomfortable clothes distracts me from studying. Next I go and find a quiet peaceful place to study, where I can lay out my materials without feeling crowded or worrying I am encroaching on someone's space.

This is usually a corner of the school library with a big table, or a deserted classroom with a big, unoccupied front desk. The area must be well lighted, and I must feel safe and comfortable there, and able to stay as long as I please. I plan a four to six hour period, and start by first reviewing materials from my textbook(s), and my corresponding textbook notes. I read through all my textbook notes carefully, making sure I understand everything from the textbook(s).

If I do not understand something, I reread those parts of the book(s) until I do. I am very truthful with myself about this, and resist temptation to skip over anything unclear. However, if I get stuck on something, I move onto something else and return to it later. Sometimes that actually helps me understand what I didn't. Sometimes, I have made margin notes in pencil inside my book(s), so I review those.

Two hints that I can offer others about this aspect of studying are (1) do not fall behind in the reading, and (2) ask questions about the reading as they come up. Next I organize my lecture notes and/or tapes, in chronological order, and review them for anything the professor has said might appear on the exam. In my lecture notes, if I find anything I have questions on, highlight it in my notes, and make sure.