Nut's Academic Tip of the Week

[rainbowbrightCS]

Originally posted by NutBrnHair
Success is 99% sweat & 1% intelligence.

What didn't you tell me this earlier, lets say about a year ago!

[NutBrnHair]

Rewrite your notes by hand

You have five senses, as we all know (well, except for Haley Joel Osment). The more senses you use while studying, the stronger the information gets stored into your brain. Think about it: do you remember something better if you just read it, or if you read it AND copy it?

For this reason, one of the best study tips is rewriting ALL of your notes by hand starting two weeks before the exam, and as you recopy, say the words out loud. This way, you're reinforcing the information on many levels: you're reading the notes, processing them to physically copy them down, speaking the words, and hearing yourself speak the words. With all of these paths going, it makes it much more likely that you'll remember the information.



www.soyouwanna.com

[NutBrnHair]

Preparing to Study...

Eliminate all distractions

• This would include TV, loud radio music, boom-boxes, etc.
• Clasical music played softly may be helpful
• Be aware of when you start to daydream - and stop right away

www.how-to-study.com

[NutBrnHair]

Tips for Taking Multiple Choice Tests

FIRST ANSWERS ARE USUALLY CORRECT

Don't speed through the items with the idea of going back to change answers you are unsure of. If you take time to think through each question, your initial answer will usually be the correct one. Although there are always exceptions to this rule, the best approach in most cases is to carefully answer each question the first time you go through the exam, and change only those answers that are clearly mistakes.

WHAT TO DO IF MORE THAN ONE ANSWER SEEMS CORRECT

If you're utterly stumped by a question, here are some strategies to help you narrow the field and select the correct answer:
Ask yourself whether the answer you're considering completely addresses the question. If the test answer is only partly true or is true only under certain narrow conditions, then it's probably not the right answer. If you have to make a significant assumption in order for the answer to be true, ask yourself whether this assumption is obvious enough that the instructor would expect everyone to make it. If not, dump the answer overboard.

If you think an item is a trick question, think again. Very few instructors would ever write a question intended to be deceptive. If you suspect that a question is a trick item, make sure you're not reading too much into the question, and try to avoid imagining detailed scenarios in which the answer could be true. In most cases, "trick questions" are only tricky because they're not taken at face value.

If, after your very best effort, you cannot choose between two alternatives, try vividly imagining each one as the correct answer. If you are like most people, you will often "feel" that one of the answers is wrong. Trust this feeling -- research suggests that feelings are frequently accessible even when recall is poor (e.g., we can still know how we feel about a person even if we can't remember the person's name). Although this tip is not infallible, many students find it useful.







http://www.socialpsychology.org/testtips.htm#taking

[TigerLilly]

Originally posted by NutBrnHair
Preparing to Study...

Eliminate all distractions[/list]

Including GC?

I am so bad at that...

[NutBrnHair]

Originally posted by TigerLilly
Including GC?

I am so bad at that...

Surely it's okay if you stick mainly to the Academic boards! LOL

[_Opi_]

Nutbrnhair,

Thanks for the tips! I've finally convinced myself to sit in the "T" zone

[NutBrnHair]

Originally posted by _Opi_
Nutbrnhair,

Thanks for the tips! I've finally convinced myself to sit in the "T" zone

Oh, that makes me so proud!

[sigtau305]

Originally posted by NutBrnHair
Tips for Taking Multiple Choice Tests

FIRST ANSWERS ARE USUALLY CORRECT

Don't speed through the items with the idea of going back to change answers you are unsure of. If you take time to think through each question, your initial answer will usually be the correct one. Although there are always exceptions to this rule, the best approach in most cases is to carefully answer each question the first time you go through the exam, and change only those answers that are clearly mistakes.

WHAT TO DO IF MORE THAN ONE ANSWER SEEMS CORRECT

If you're utterly stumped by a question, here are some strategies to help you narrow the field and select the correct answer:
Ask yourself whether the answer you're considering completely addresses the question. If the test answer is only partly true or is true only under certain narrow conditions, then it's probably not the right answer. If you have to make a significant assumption in order for the answer to be true, ask yourself whether this assumption is obvious enough that the instructor would expect everyone to make it. If not, dump the answer overboard.

If you think an item is a trick question, think again. Very few instructors would ever write a question intended to be deceptive. If you suspect that a question is a trick item, make sure you're not reading too much into the question, and try to avoid imagining detailed scenarios in which the answer could be true. In most cases, "trick questions" are only tricky because they're not taken at face value.

If, after your very best effort, you cannot choose between two alternatives, try vividly imagining each one as the correct answer. If you are like most people, you will often "feel" that one of the answers is wrong. Trust this feeling -- research suggests that feelings are frequently accessible even when recall is poor (e.g., we can still know how we feel about a person even if we can't remember the person's name). Although this tip is not infallible, many students find it useful.







http://www.socialpsychology.org/testtips.htm#taking

any tips for taking Written Essays exams ?

[NutBrnHair]

Originally posted by sigtau305
any tips for taking Written Essays exams ?

Writing & answering the essay test:

Begin with a strong first sentence that states the main idea of your essay.
Continue this first paragraph by presenting key points
Develop your argument
· Begin each paragraph with a key point from the introduction
· Develop each point in a complete paragraph
· Use transitions, or enumerate, to connect your points
· Hold to your time allocation and organization
· Avoid very definite statements when possible; a qualified statement connotes a philosophic attitude, the mark of an educated person
· Qualify answers when in doubt. It is better to say "toward the end of the 19th century" than to say "in 1894" when you can't remember, whether it's 1884 or 1894. In many cases, the approximate time is all that is wanted; unfortunately 1894, though approximate, may be incorrect, and will usually be marked accordingly.

Summarize in your last paragraph

Restate your central idea and indicate why it is important.







http://www.mrsvowell.org/essaytest.htm

[sigtau305]

Originally posted by NutBrnHair
Writing & answering the essay test:

Begin with a strong first sentence that states the main idea of your essay.
Continue this first paragraph by presenting key points
Develop your argument
· Begin each paragraph with a key point from the introduction
· Develop each point in a complete paragraph
· Use transitions, or enumerate, to connect your points
· Hold to your time allocation and organization
· Avoid very definite statements when possible; a qualified statement connotes a philosophic attitude, the mark of an educated person
· Qualify answers when in doubt. It is better to say "toward the end of the 19th century" than to say "in 1894" when you can't remember, whether it's 1884 or 1894. In many cases, the approximate time is all that is wanted; unfortunately 1894, though approximate, may be incorrect, and will usually be marked accordingly.

Summarize in your last paragraph

Restate your central idea and indicate why it is important.







http://www.mrsvowell.org/essaytest.htm

Thank you so much.

[kappaloo]

First of all - NutBrnHair - THANK YOU! These are awesome!

Originally posted by NutBrnHair
Preparing to Study...

Eliminate all distractions

• This would include TV, loud radio music, boom-boxes, etc.
• Clasical music played softly may be helpful
• Be aware of when you start to daydream - and stop right away

www.how-to-study.com

In my psychology class, we learnt that most people recall best in a situation most similar to how they learnt. This means, learning in a situation resembling a test situtation (as you list above) is good. People also recall best in the same emotion/physical state as they learnt.

Funny note: this also means that if you learn your material drunk, you will recall best if you write your test drunk....

[wishinhopin]

"The way I see it, you study high, take the test high, get high scores! Right? Riiiight"

Or not, but personally I've never tried it so I dunno.

[GeekyPenguin]

Originally posted by wishinhopin
"The way I see it, you study high, take the test high, get high scores! Right? Riiiight"

Or not, but personally I've never tried it so I dunno.

I gotta go buy something for my exam tomorrow....bbl.

[NutBrnHair]

Step-By-Step Guide to Establishing a Chapter’s Scholarship Program


Once you and the Executive Board and/or the Scholarship Team have determined your chapter’s scholarship strengths and needs, you can implement this step-by-step plan for effective scholarship programming.

1. If your chapter does not have a Scholarship Team, establish one to assist you with scholarship programming and in meeting the academic need of the chapter.
2. Utilize the support and expertise of your Advisors with all programming.
3. Facilitate a chapter’s goal setting session.
4. Create and provide scholarship incentives and resources for members.
5. Create and provide as many opportunities as possible to recognize the academic achievements of members.
6. Provide programs and resources that meet the needs of individual members, such as distributing handouts on time management or presenting study tips at each meeting.
7. Plan scholarship programs that encourage the entire chapter’s participation.
8. Evaluate your scholarship budget and look for ways to increase these funds if necessary.





"Academics Matter" 1997