BU Educational Resource Center Blog » Study Skills

Test Prep – It’s Never Too Early (even in the summer)

clalama — Mon, 23 Jul 2012 03:18:01 +0000

We know it’s summer vacation, but we thought we’d throw a brief video workshop online for those of you who’ve resolved to make this the “best fall semester ever” (translation: you’re telling yourselves you won’t procrastinate come exams this time. Really.)

We asked some students to include their tips on test prep here. If you have any tips that work for you, email us or comment on this post.

If you get inspired, check out some other ERC and related videos on BUniverse and check back here later this week for an online workshop on time management.

See you in September! (It’s closer than you think…)

Combating the Post-Test Blues

clalama — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 15:25:31 +0000

Are you a post-test worrier? Do you obsess about the answers that could have been? Take it from us, with enough prep work before the test, you won’t ponder too long about whether that multiple choice section sucked too many points off your score or whether that last blue book essay blew your professor away (or put her to sleep).

Here are a couple of post-test Do’s and Don’ts that you will help you find the will and the time to really chill post-exams.

DON’T worry about your grade. The test is over, so save your energy for a visit to office hours once you get the test back. Take a moment to review the exam and identify specific questions. Then go in and chat with your professor. You’ll be happy to get your questions answered and your prof will appreciate the visit.

DON’T start prepping for the next test right away. If you haven’t taken time to figure out what’s actually on the test, you might be spinning your wheels on material you don’t have to cover.

DO take time immediately after an exam to relax. If that means taking a nap, hanging with friends or blowing off steam at FitRec, go for it! You might even venture off campus and take a look around the neighborhood. There are a thousand things to do around Boston and the surrounding area.

Cross the river (walk across the Mass Ave bridge, or, for a less traveled path, take the Salt and Pepper Bridge into the Kendall MIT area. Take your camera; you’ll have sweeping views of Boston and Cambridge and if you time it right, you’ll catch crew or sailing teams on the water. If you head for downtown Boston, get to the pier! Check out the ICA. The Institute of Contemporary Art is on the water and near awesome seafood restaurants.

Our point is, get out there and explore! Don’t be afraid to get off campus to take a breather. BU will be here when you get back (just make sure you ride the train or bus back in the right direction). Life is too short to live in the past and stress over tests. If you can learn to balance school, work and life in general, you just might be happier and more productive. Check out more ideas on things and places to do and see around Boston.

PY 106 on BUniverse

clalama — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 19:17:17 +0000

Check out this instructional video for PY 106 on BUniverse. If you want to see more, check out these other BUniverse videos from the Physics department.

The ERC offers peer tutoring in about 150 100-level and 200-level courses (including PY106). If you decide to request a peer tutor, check out the peer tutoring page on the ERC website.

Know Thyself: What’s your Learning Style?

clalama — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 19:37:59 +0000

Taken from the Louisiana State University Center for Academic Success

Being a “good” student really means being consistent, but if certain study techniques aren’t working for you, it might be time to re-evaluate the way you study. Flash cards aren’t for everyone, for example and some students may learn better by reciting terms or concepts out loud.

This Sensory Preference Self Test will help you determine what kind of learner you are so that you can identify better study techniques for your learning style.

Jot This Down: How to Take Better Notes

clalama — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 20:00:04 +0000

lecture styles image

Taking notes in class is underrated. If you find yourself scrawling illegibly on the page, or worse,find yourself dusting off your notebook come exam time, read on.

Most students write notes out in the classic outline format. If it works for you, stick to it, but your notes might come alive if you really paint a picture with them. Why not write out your notes so that they “match” the way your professor lectures? For instance, some lectures are clearly meant to compare and contrast themes or concepts. Listen for key words such as “on the contrary” or “resemble” to make an immediate connection with the subject at hand. Why not set up two columns where the similarities or differences can stand out for you?

If you are in a history class and have to remember key events, draw a timeline. Visual learners (students who like to write out lists or draw things out for themselves) might be able to visualize the timeline when they’re trying to “see” the events associated with certain years, etc. Auditory learners might recite from their lists later as a study technique.

Is this a good place to study? Take the Quiz!!

clalama — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 19:59:14 +0000

With a special thanks to the
Division
of Student Affairs

Study Environment
Analysis

The purpose of this inventory is to help you evaluate the three places you study most
frequently. Begin by identifying these three locations in the blanks below.

List them in the order in which you use them most frequently. Then
answer each question according to whether the statement is mostly true or mostly false
about each of the three places you have identified.

		Place A	Place B	Place C
1.	There are few distractions, such as phone, computer, or TV, in this location.
2.	Other people rarely interrupt me when I study in this location.
3.	This is a quiet location, with almost no interruptions from phones ringing, people talking or music playing.
4.	I take a limited number of breaks when I study in this environment.
5.	I study here regularly during the week.
6.	I tend to keep my breaks short when I study in this location.
7.	I rarely talk with people when I study here.
8.	The temperature in this place is very comfortable for studying most of the time.
9.	The chair in this place is very conducive to studying.
10.	The desk/table in this place is very conducive to studying.
11.	The lighting in this place is very conducive to studying.
12.	There are few things in this location that are unrelated to studying or school work.
When you have answered all 12 questions, click the Add Button to calculate the number of “True” responses you made for each of the three places where you study most frequently. The place with the highest total may provide the best environment for studying. Try to do as much of your studying in this location as possible.

		Place A	Place B	Place C