By: Jeffrey Low and Jenna Storey
The transition from classes to exams isn’t always smooth or clearly defined in terms of your workload. At this time of the term, you’re likely wrapping up course work and readings while also thinking about exam prep and counting down the days until your first test. It’s okay to feel overwhelmed. We get it.
There are a lot of tips being shared these days — some may be relevant to you, while others may not be. However, when it comes to academics, we’re firm believers that taking a moment to make a plan and improve your study strategies will pay off by helping you reduce stress and build confidence as you head into exams.
Here are our top exam tips for Winter 2021, courtesy of the SSC academic skills team.
Scheduling during exams
- Set aside time to start studying more than a few days before your exam.
- Use a weekly calendar to find time to study.
- Study for 30-minute periods with a five-minute break after. Repeat.
- Organize your space. Have your materials near you.
- Share your exam schedule with people who share your living space (i.e. family, roommates) so they know when you plan to be working.
Online open-book exams
When first presented with an open-book exam, you might think that you don’t need to prepare because you’ll have access to course materials during the test. However, these types of exams require just as much studying and preparation as traditional in-person test. Here are some tips to help you study and successfully complete your online open-book exam.
- Review the syllabus for themes. Review course materials for key concepts.
- Clarify which materials you can access during the exam. For example, can you refer only to course materials? Or, can you use Internet sources?
- Ask the instructor for the exam structure and time limits. For example, can you have breaks during the exam?
- Focus on how you can apply, synthesize and evaluate the key concepts and ideas instead of just memorizing the information.
- Use graphic organizers such as tables, mind maps or post-it notes to find connections between ideas and help you recall information.
- Organize your “open-book” resources to help you find information during the exam. Try colour-coding, using sticky notes or making a list of important page numbers.
- Test yourself using the exam format (i.e. multiple choice, short answer, essay). Use old tests, create new questions or use textbook questions.
- Teach others the course material. Use examples and personal connections, and get them to ask you questions about the information.
- Identify learning gaps to focus on during study sessions.
If you liked these tips, feel free to download the PDF.
- Log in early.
- Know how to troubleshoot or get tech support if an issue occurs during the test.
- Choose a comfortable place to complete the exam. Have all necessary materials easily accessible. Avoid disruptions — give your schedule to anyone you share the home with.
- Determine how much time to spend on each question. Consider the question types and how many marks each question is worth.
- Regardless of the question type, read the question very carefully and highlight keywords such as “analyze,” “examine,” “explain,” “develop” and so-on.
- Use the cover-up method for multiple-choice questions. Cover the answers, focus on the question and draft an answer. Then, reveal the possible answers to decide which choice is the best match.
- Use paper to write down thoughts or create outlines.
- Save time to review your answers at the end of the exam.
If you liked these tips, feel free to download the PDF.
Online take-home tests
You usually have several days to complete a take-home test. This is different from traditional in-person exams, where you usually have a few hours to complete it in an exam room. Typically, take-home tests are in essay format, and you’re required to recall and apply information from the entire course. Here are some tips to help you study and successfully complete your next take-home test.
- Read every question carefully, and make sure you understand it before you answer. It’s easy to lose marks by misreading questions. Understand the difference between analyzing, examining, explaining, arguing and so-on.
- Review the syllabus for themes. Review course materials for key concepts.
- Focus on your original thoughts, evidence and citation.
- Use graphic organizers such as tables, mind maps or post-it notes to find connections between ideas and help you recall information.
- Organize your notes. Use graphic organizers, make connections and use sticky-notes for page references.
If you liked these tips, feel free to download the PDF.
- Use an outline to set out your main arguments and evidence.
- Keep your paragraphs organized. Each paragraph should include:
- A topic sentence that introduces your point
- Information that develops your thesis
- Evidence to support your original thoughts
- Connections between ideas
- Write clearly and directly. Use simple, effective terms. Avoid unnecessary or complicated language.
- Cite your sources according to your professor’s instructions.
- Revise your exam. Focus on higher-order concerns (thesis, organization) first. Then, focus on lower-order concerns (spelling and grammar).
If you liked these tips, feel free to download the PDF.
Wellness and de-stressing tips
During exam season, you may feel a greater need for self-care, and that’s okay! Here are some tips, courtesy of the Student Wellness Centre (SWC), to help you de-stress and practice effective self-care.
- Self-care is community care. Sometimes self-care means doing something for someone else. This can mean volunteering online, delivering groceries to a friend or cooking something for your housemates.
- Sleep is important. If you’re having trouble falling asleep, try avoiding sugar and caffeine in the evening, as they may be working to keep you awake.
- Eat nutritious, delicious food. The types of food you eat determine the bacteria that live in your stomach; the state of your stomach can have an impact on your physical and mental health.
- Get moving! Adding exercise to your daily routine can help with the relief of stress and anxiety. As well as improve your overall physical health.
- Learn to say no. If you’re feeling overworked and stressed, recognize it’s okay to say no to others and create more time for yourself in your daily life.
- Get organized. Finding a way to stay organized will help you reflect on your responsibilities and find changes you can make to ease your stress.
- Connect with others. Whether you’re meeting someone new at a virtual event or keeping in touch with old friends over the phone, make time each day to socialize with others.
If you need support related to your wellness and mental health, the SWC website offers a variety of resources and counselling options.