From the desk of Jessica Mize, ACE Coordinator:

Studying for semester exams can bring on a variety of emotions and feelings such as anxiety, nervousness, dread, and being overwhelmed. There are lots of great study tips and test taking tips that can help ease some of the apprehension going into exam week. Following are some of my personal favorite tips and tricks:

• Upon receiving your semester review, look through the content and find all materials (old tests, quizzes, and notes) that match. Go through the review and make note of the material you feel most confident and star the material you need to review deeper
• Review the exam schedule and make a study schedule based on what days each of your exams are on
• Find out the format for the semester exam (essay, multiple choice, true false, short answer, etc) and make study aids reflective of the format (note cards for multiple choice and vocab; write related information together for essays and then practice talking through the information out loud as this makes your brain use different parts to process and recall the material)
• Reread through your notes and other class materials. To increase your comprehension, read out loud, take notes, and write down questions you have about the material to explore later
• Use your time wisely– the more time you use to review, the more optimal results you will render on the exam. When you devote study time over a period of several days, the more likely you are to recall the information. A quote from Dr. Bjork, the senior author of an experiment set to prove this theory
• Take frequent breaks as you are more likely to recall what you study first and last
• Make practice tests to take
• Talk about the material out loud to classmates
• Research shows that if you change up your study spaces you are more likely to recall the information rather than if you study in the same place every time. A quote from Dr. Bjork, the senior author of an experiment set to prove this theory says this, “when the outside context is varied, the information is enriched, and this slows down forgetting.” You can read more about this experiment by following this link: http://lifehacker.com/5631680/change-up-your-study-spaces-for-better-recall
• Come see Mrs. Mize in ACE for other tips and tricks when preparing for semester exams!