Midterm Preparation Workshop

Presented by Alex Cuatok

The Four Steps to Learning1) Begin with the past2) Proceed to the present3) Consider the process, the subject

matter4) Build in review

Begin With The Past What was your experience with learning? Did you like to

read? Solve problems? Memorize? Recite? Interpret? Speak to groups?

Did you summarize? Did you ask questions about what you studied? Reviewed? Have access to information from a variety of sources? Did you study alone or in groups? Needed several brief study sessions, or one longer one? What are your study habits? How did they evolve? Which worked best? Worst? How did you communicate what you learned

best? Through a written test, a term paper, an interview?

Proceed to the PresentHow interested am I in this? 

How much time do I want to spend learning this?What competes for my attention?

Are the circumstances right for success?   What can I control, and what is outside my control?  Can I change these conditions for success?

What affects my dedication to learning this? Do I have a plan?  Does my plan consider my

past experience and learning style?

Consider the Process What is the heading or title?

What keywords jump out?What do I already know about this subject? Any related subjects?

What kinds of resources and information do I have that will help me?Will I only rely on one source for information?Will I need to look for additional sources?

As I study, do I ask myself if I understand?  Why?Should I go faster or slower?

Do I stop and summarize? Is it logical? Evaluate myself? Do I need time to think it over and return later?

Do I need to discuss the information with others in order to understand? Do I need to find an "authority”?

Build in ReviewWhat did I do right?

What could I do better?Did my plan coincide with "myself?"

Did I choose the right conditions?Did I follow through; was I disciplined with myself?

Did I succeed?Did I celebrate my success?

Effective Habits for Effective StudyTake responsibility for yourselfCenter yourself around your values and

principlesPut first things firstConsider yourself in a win-win situationFirst understand others, then attempt to

be understood.Look for better solutions to problemsLook to continually challenge yourself

Time ManagementMonitor your TimeReflect on how you spend your timeBe aware of when you are wasting your

timeKnow when you are productive

Types of GoalsShort-term goals. These reflect

assignments or things that you want done within a timeline of days, weeks, or months.

Long-term goals. These reflect things that you want done within a timeline of months, or years.

Goal-Related Peer Pressure

Goal SettingWhat are your obstacles?What is your goal?Obstacle vs. GoalIdeally goals should be strong enough

to overcome any obstacle that arises.

Understanding StressStress is the conflict between what you

perceive and how you react.◦Acute stress often results when time is short

and demands are heavy.◦Chronic stress builds up over time.

Some stress is normal. But some stress can have a negative effect on your mind and body. Stress management is key.

How to Deal with StressLearn how to best relax yourselfRemove yourself from the stressful situation Set realistic goals for yourselfDon't sweat the small stuff, Don't overwhelm

yourself Selectively change the way you react, Change the

way you see things Avoid extreme reactionsGet enough sleep

ConcentrationStick to a routineStudy in a quiet environmentAvoid daydreamingReview notesShow interest in the lectureResist distractions

Mind Mapping Method

During the Test . . . Relax. Read the directions carefully.  Answer the easiest questions

first. Ask yourself if your final answer

makes sense to you. Pace yourself by tracking time.Never cheat or plagiarize,

regardless of how unprepared you find yourself.

During an Essay Exam . . .• For short essays exams, answer each

question exactly by changing it into a topic sentence and retaining as much of the question as possible and then creating a brief outline. 

• Question: What is a theme of Hamlet by William Shakespeare?

• Topic Sentence: One theme of Hamlet by William Shakespeare is . . .

• Outline: briefly outline the order of your ideas before starting. 

Activity

2 Practice Test ◦DO NOT STRESS!

Go over the answers

Exam Checklist• Carefully read the instructions • Make sure you are answering the

question that is being asked! • Often students know how to solve a

problem, but they misread or misinterpret the question itself.

• Check that you have correctly rewritten the problem • If you use a scratch piece of paper

make sure that you correctly rewrite the problem.

• Don't skip steps. Start from the beginning.

Exam Checklist (cont’d)Clearly write each step of the

solution ◦Be neat and don't rush writing numbers

down. ◦Keep checking your solution as you are

working. ◦Neatness makes it easier to recheck

your work. Don't Dilly Dally

◦If you get stuck on a problem, move on and come back to it later.

◦When you are finished, recheck all your work.

How to Get Support During FinalsCome to the Learning Center or

Library on campusE-mail your professor to set up a

meeting timeSet up a study groupOther ideas?  

Some Web Resources Dartmouth College provides tips on how

to study: http://www.dartmouth.edu/~acskills/success/study.html. 

Study Guides and Strategies, http://www.studygs.net/index.htm , offers several useful handouts on taking tests: 10 tips for test taking, true/false tests, multiple choice tests, short answer tests, open book exams, oral exams, and essay exams. 

THANK YOU!!!