Monday, June 9, 2008

Tips to help students get through end-of-year exams

Ten tips to help students learn:
1. Encourage students to master the material rather than "learn the material" or aim for a specific grade.
2. Do not focus on "passing the exam"; focus on the challenge of doing the exam well.
3. Do not focus on how your grade will make you look; focus on the material.
4. Do not focus on aspects of intelligence, smarts or stupidity; attend to how to do the task well.
5. Be realistic: if you do not like or understand the material, do not expect exceptional grades.
6. Try to avoid last-minute cramming; do a little every day to avoid the stress of mass studying.
7. Relaxation techniques other than diaphragmatic deep breathing will not work to settle a student down in an exam unless the student has been practising them for a long time.
8. Students with high anxiety should build in relaxation time the evening before an exam.
9. It's OK to be a perfectionist - but only if you're striving to improve yourself, not if you are striving to impress others or obtain a reward.
10. You cannot learn a difficult subject without proper self care, and that includes regular sleep.
Source: University of Alberta Academic Support Centre

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