Resources and Tips

Have you ever read an assignment and when you finished couldn't recall anything you read? Do you have a hard time staying awake while you read? These may be signs that you need to get more actively involved in the learning process. Some suggestions include:

Survey the assignment.

• Analyze the purpose of the assignment.
• Look over the introduction, headings (subtitles), italicized words, summary, etc.
• Get a general idea of the material.
• Review what you know and make predictions about what you think you will learn.
• Make a sematic map of the chapter before reading and then fill in sections as the text is read.
• The author had a plan to organize the material.  What is it?

Turn headings into questions and read to answer the questions.

• Break the material into chunks and make notes on the main ideas or questions answered.
• Confirm or revise the previous predictions made while surveying.
• Use the SQ3R reading method.
• Make concept webs or maps.

Other tips:

• Review the information read by reciting the questions and corresponding notes.
• Restate the information and link it to information already known.
• Make study guides.
• Organize the material if possible. Example: cause/effect flow charts, classification charts, thematic schemes, or hierarchical systems.
• Periodically review to store the information in long term memory.
• Be active while reading; not passive.

• Set up a study schedule.
• Know your professors' names and contact information.
• Study in a comfortable environment.
• Study without distractions.
• Study with others in your class.
• Stay current with your assigned readings.
• Take breaks (average attention span is 20 minutes).
• Put information into your own words.
• Read in increments (20 pages or 10 pages here and there).
• Connect new information to old information.
• Take notes on major points in the text.
• Read with a pencil or pen in your hand and reactively make comments.
• Reward yourself for productive study sessions.
• If you continue to have trouble in an area or subject, seek out tutoring at the Learning Center.

For Online Students - Keep a file of some sort on key concepts, resources, or possible test questions.  Don't let important ideas slide away!

Test anxiety is normal, but excessive anxiety can interfere with your academic success. If anxiety is excessive, you must learn to recognize your anxiety and deal with it appropriately.

Test anxiety is identified by the following components:

1. Physical symptoms include knotted stomach, wet hands, trembling, or nausea.
2. Emotional symptoms include feelings of fear or panic.
3. Mental symptoms include forgetfulness or disorganization of thought.

Reduce anxiety by learning to relax both physically and mentally as follows:

1. Being prepared is very important in reducing test anxiety.
2. Start studying at least a week in advance.
3. Get at least eight hours sleep the night before a test, and don't forget to eat breakfast.
4. Prior to a test, focus on relaxing muscles throughout the body and take deep, slow breaths.
5. Replace negative, worrisome thoughts with positive, reassuring ones.

For more information about relieving stress and anxiety, contact the Ball State Counseling Center - (765) 285-1264 in Lucina Hall room 314.

For Online Students - Please review other sections for study tips.  Frequently test anxiety can be reduced by proper preparation; especially in the area of time management.

Preparation for a test begins with reading the assignments, doing the homework, and going to and actively listening to the lectures. Once a test has been announced, preparation may include the following activities:

Before the Test:

• Review systematically over time.
• Reduce the information to study; focus on unknown information.
• Survey the material you need to know for the exam.
• Find out if the test questions will cover notes, books, etc.
• Link new information to old.
• Make study sheets - include definitions, theories, and formulas.
• Find out the form of the exam.
• Predict exam questions.
• Rehearse material via flash cards, outlines, and mapping strategies.
• Recite the information out loud.
• Create memory and mnemonic devices.
• Seek academic resources (professors/tutors/classmates).
• Contact Counseling Center for extreme anxiety.

During the Test:

• Get a good night's sleep before the test.
• Have ample supplies - at least 2 pens or pencils, scrap paper.
• Avoid classmates who might heighten anxiety.
• Read the entire test before starting.
• Budget the allotted time.
• Do not rush through the exam.
• Read each question and answer choices carefully.
• Circle key words which focus attention.
• Dump information on the margin or the back of the test.
• Be test wise.

After the Test:

• Talk to the professor about errors.
• Attend Supplemental Instruction sessions and Learning Center tutoring.
• Discuss concerns with academic advisor.

Procedures for Attacking and Solving Problems

1. Read the problem rapidly to obtain a general idea of its nature. Try to answer the questions: What is it about? What does it involve?
2. Read it again carefully, noting the details. Underline the parts that you think will be needed to solve the problem. You should now be trying to determine the conditions and the requirements of the problem.
3. Try to restate the problem using only the necessary information. Be sure you have identified the unknown.
4. What symbols, formulas, or equations will be needed? You may be uncertain about the necessary equations at this point. if so, wait until Step 7 for that information.
5. Convert the data to appropriate symbols so that each given and required part of the problem is represented.
6. If possible, try to represent the problem by drawing a figure. Label its parts.
7. Select the equations necessary to solve the problem.
8. Estimate your answer before computing.
9. Manipulate the equations, checking each step for carelessness in basic arithmetical processes, i.e., mistakes in adding, subtracting, multiplying, dividing, dropping of signs, and the use of wrong signs.
10. Check the final answer obtained and see if it meets the conditions of the problem.

Critical Thinking Skills

The ability to think critically, to evaluate systematically what we hear and read, rests on a set of specific skills. These skills include the ability to identify ambiguous claims or arguments, to identify unstated assumptions, and to detect bias. Critical thinkers are able to evaluate evidence. They are able to distinguish between verifiable facts and value claims, and between relevant and irrelevant information, claims, or reasons. Critical thinkers are able to determine the factual accuracy of a statement and the credibility of a source. They recognize logical inconsistencies or fallacies in a line of reasoning and can determine the strength of an argument or claim.

10 Steps to Better Management of your Study Time:

1. Decide that how you manage your time is important.
2. Evaluate your study needs for this term.  Which classes will demand the most time? 
3. Record how much studying you are now doing.  Is it enough?
4. Set a weekly schedule based on your needs and desires. 
5. Keep a semester schedule with due dates on it.
6. Keep a daily "To Do" list.  Break large assignments into smaller parts and schedule them on your "To Do" list.
7. Revise your schedule as needed.
8. Schedule study time during your open blocks of time.
9. Try to study in small blocks of time during the day.
10. If you get off your schedule, don't discard it.  Restart.

For Online Students:

Procrastination can cause trouble faster than anything.  Be very aware of timeliness.  Online classes are often very time-driven with specific deadlines.  Login every day to keep up with the discussions.  Jumping into discussions at the last minute is not conducive to learning and many teachers deduct points for this behavior.