It’s the night before a math test and well past the time your child normally goes to sleep. Your child frantically flips through a textbook and scribbles down notes. Discouraged sighs fill the room as the eraser meets the notebook once again. You ask if extra help sessions were attended. The response is a frustrated groan – code for “no, of course not.”
That scenario is a recipe
for disaster.
Studying for exams does
not have to feel disastrous. All it takes
to have successful study sessions is planning time to study, familiarizing oneself
with the content in the preferred learning style, and asking teachers for help.
A great place to start is
by creating a study schedule. This schedule
could be in the form of a calendar or a planner. Have your child jot down the date of the
test. Work backwards to plan out days
and times for studying. If multiple
tests are approaching, it is helpful to color-code the study schedule by
subject.
Former Eye Level
Ambassador Jeenah suggests that reviewing homework, quizzes, and tests will
help in creating an effective study schedule based on the content that needs
attention.
Let’s say there is an
end-of-year calculus exam. After
reviewing the course materials, your child feels that their knowledge of
polynomials is strong, but their understanding of inverse functions is weak. Your child should start reviewing inverse
functions very early and for as long as necessary, while polynomials can be
revisited closer to the test date as a refresher.
Similarly, another former
Ambassador, Parth, believes it is best to “make sure to review material
constantly, proactively.” Dedicating
time every day to studying and working on practice problems makes the content easy
to recall. This approach gives plenty of
time to master content that was originally a struggle.
Also, be sure your child
studies at a time each day when they feel the most focused. This strategy of studying every day eliminates
the need for an unproductive, stressful cram session, like the one described earlier.
A big part of understanding
and studying is about identifying a preferred learning style. Jeenah believes that “to develop good study
habits, you first need to recognize your own style of learning.”
Some people learn best
visually, by looking at text, images, and videos. Others thrive auditorily by listening to
content, such as through audio books or lectures. Jeenah suggests consuming content visually
and auditorily to see which way works best.
Your child may even find that they successfully learn through a
combination of the two methods.
An additional way to
study for exams is to form a study group with classmates. When your child meets with the group in the
weeks leading up to the exam, the group members should compare notes with one
another. Your child’s notes might
include details that a classmate missed or vice versa. It is also helpful for the classmates to quiz
each other so that all group members hold one another accountable for learning
content and retaining information.
When studying, Parth
advises to “take breaks to make sure you don’t get overworked.” No matter the length of the study session, be
sure your child takes breaks. It is
necessary to give the brain time to recharge and the body the opportunity to
move. The break could be spending five minutes in the kitchen having a snack or
20 minutes outside going for a walk.
Last, but not least, ask
for help. If your child is struggling
with a topic covered in class, make sure they seek extra-help sooner rather
than later. Asking for clarification
early on allows your child to build the foundation needed to progress onto more
complex concepts later. Plus, when the
teacher breaks down topics and assigns practice problems, skills and confidence
are built.
Throughout the night before the exam, there are several things to keep in mind: reviewing, sleeping, and eating.
Your child should be reviewing
notes and sample questions. At this
point, the focus must be on refreshing rather than learning topics. Also, be sure that your
child gets an adequate amount of sleep. The
amount needed will vary from one person to another, but it is necessary for
your child to listen to their body. Prior to sleep, have your
child decide what they will eat for breakfast the next day. Choose a meal that is rich in nutrients, as
this will keep their brain focused.
Now your child has the
tools needed to successfully prepare for exams.
Remember, the keys to effective preparation are planning time to study,
dedicating that time to learning in a way that works best, and proactively
asking for help when needed.
The next time your child sits down to take an exam after following those steps, they will be saying “I effectively prepared, and I got this!”
______________________________________