dragonbook

44 They say that the actor who doesn’t get opening night jitters is finished, because the loss of that nervous energy shows that he doesn’t care anymore. The experienced actor knows how to turn nervous energy in a positive direction: his performance has stronger movements, more voice projection, and more power in general. The good student too knows how to channel nervous energy in a productive direction. 2. Know the exam format. Most professors tell you ahead of time exactly the kind of exam to expect. And it does make a difference! Studying for an essay exam is very different from studying for a multiple choice or short answer test. Your professor’s syllabus will usually be very helpful in telling you what kind of exam to expect. 3. Know what content you have been expected to master for that exam. If the professor has not made it clear, ask—particularly on final exams. Some professors give comprehensive finals, including on the final material from all portions of the course. Other professors only put on the final exam the material covered since the last major test. Be sure to know which kind of exam to expect! Many professors give study guides for the exam. If so, be sure you can answer well all the study guide questions. 4. Know the professor. Read the syllabus. Listen carefully in class. Most professors (even if they don’t give study guides) will give you all sorts of clues as to what’s going to be on the exam. It often helps to talk to students who have taken previous classes from that professor. Ask them what’s emphasized on the exams: book material, lecture material, both? It’s also very helpful to talk to professors directly. If you’ve questions on exam format, they may be wiling to let you see old exams—or even examples of what they consider good student work. Almost all of them will give you helpful advice in studying for their exams. 5. Know yourself and your learning style. Are you a visual learner? Auditory? Do you learn best from reading the text? Adopt a study strategy that fits best your learning style. If you’re a visual learner, you might find making diagrams and charts really helps. 6. Don’t wait until the last minute to study, but do study extra hard right before the exam. Students who do nothing but last minute cramming tend not to do very well. Students who don’t do any last minute cramming also tend not to do as well as they might. The best strategy is to keep up with the course, doing the readings as they are assigned and reviewing daily the notes from that day. Then, right before the exam, devote full attention to that particular class. 7. In approaching assigned readings, too, it’s best to use a combination of reading strategies. Don’t just skim, but don’t just read carefully either. In general, the best strategy is to skim through material quickly, then go back and read more carefully, and then skim the material again.