Things I Wish I knew…how to study for a test

By , October 25, 2011 8:12 am

My name is Briana Thomas and I am a freshman here at UMKC studying Nursing. Not too long ago I was stressing for my first exam in Microbiology. I had no clue how I should be studying. All I knew was that I was supposed to be studying a lot, and I was supposed to be going over and over everything we had covered. With no SI or tutoring available for this class, it was all up to me… and this had me stressed! I know college can be stressful and overwhelming at times but I’m here to motivate you a little and give you some strategies that I taught myself to improve my studying habits. If you follow these tips, you will notice a big difference!

First of all I cannot stress how important it is to not put your studying off until last minute! I have tried this and did not end up well. I know this is one of the biggest problems we as students have. First, I have learned it is important to pay attention in lecture. Make sure you comprehend what your professor is saying so you don’t end up trying to teach yourself later on. One method is making note cards in class. For example today in micro we went over chapter 18, so I went ahead and made note cards over everything we learned in class right then and there. This saves me from making flash cards later in my day or over five different chapters the week of the test. Now I can go over chapter 18 a little at night before I go to bed and be ready to learn the next chapter by the next class period.

Also, study with others! Choose your study partners wisely; sometimes they can be a distraction and get you off topic. Make sure they really want to study so they are a help to you. This lets you be the teacher. When I study with friends I get to explain what they don’t understand and this actually helps me understand and remember more. I also get to hear how they understand the material that confuses me.  Next, find the ideal place for you to study. It may be your dorm room or a cozy corner of the library, but find a place that works best for you to get your work done, while avoiding as many distractions as possible. There’s a lot going on in your life right now. Expect to have moments where it seems a bit too much. Be prepared to feel completely unprepared. The trick is to know that you are not the only one feeling that way.

One Response to “Things I Wish I knew…how to study for a test”

  1. ryan says:

    wow bri, thats some good advise. lol

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