In preparation for March and April exams, the ACHub is offering an hour-long workshop on test taking strategies and anxiety management tools. It is offered throughout March and April.
“Like Henry Ford said, “before everything else, getting ready is the secret of success,” said Karen Barclay-Matheson from the counselling service department.
Success with an exam starts with completing homework throughout the year and with reviewing after class.
“Usually 15 minutes a day gets an A,” said Barclay-Matheson. Reviewing notes during the semester as opposed to right before exams will help you to remember them.
If you are struggling in a class, get some help.
Peer tutoring is offered at the service desk C102 and the Student Learning Centre can help with computer, English and math coaching. The info desk is also at C102. The next step to exam-success is understanding rather than memorizing.
“You’ve got to understand material first; it’s great to memorize but if you don’t really understand it, it’s not really going to make a lot of sense to you,” said Barclay-Matheson.
Reviewing old exams and reviewing in groups is a good way of doing so, remember to “study quick and swiftly,” she said. “Taking regular breaks because your brain can only manage and hour and a half.”
Being ready also includes knowing what to do when faced with certain questions, multiple choice, true or false, or essay questions. Barclay-Matheson suggests when working with multiple choice that you cover the answers and read the question while trying to answer in your head. “Your first instinct is usually the correct one. So if you can answer it yourself and then look at the possible multiple choice options you’ll most likely find that answer in there. Where as if you overwhelm yourself with all the possibilities, you’ll be distracted by that.”
When it comes to anxiety, Barclay-Matheson explained that thoughts are key. She suggests preparing, avoiding coffee, sleeping well, relaxing for exams and avoiding people discussing the exam before writing.
“Your beliefs, your feelings about the test and about your behaviour, those are what is going to affect how well you do,” said Barclay-Matheson.
The work shop, offered throughout March and April, has not attracted many students. Barclay-Matheson explained that there has been as many as 10 students attend the workshop.
“It depends on the day, if it’s sunny outside less people come,” she said. More people tend to attend as exams draw closer.
Buhle Aray, the only student who attended the March 10 session, found it useful
“I was looking for a technique,” said Aray. Which she did end up learning through the workshop. Aray explained that previously she found the teachers wouldn’t give enough time for exams but now that she knows techniques for doing multiple choice questions she has changed her mind.