TIPS TO IMPROVE MEMORY Effective learning can only be achieved if you're able to focus your complete attention ACRONYMS Acronyms are making a word from the first letter of each word that is to be memorized. For exam ple , HOMES for the Great on what you are trying to learn . Lakes (Huron, Ont ario , Michigan, Erie, II II II Superior.) READ, READ, READ Rea din g your tex tb oo k, acad emic art ic les and journal s w ill br oa den you r underst anding. M ake ACROSTICS Acrostics are phrases or poems short er notes for yo urse lf a nd then stud y you r ow n notes. in which the first letter of each word or line LISTEN TO AUDIO functions as a cue to help you recall the words Liste n to aud io on th e top ic and w ri te d ow n so m e that you are trying to remember. For examp le, key notes o n what they're saying that can help you') be tt er und ers t a nd the sub jec t you're lea rning. "Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sall y" is used to WRITE THE THINGS DOWN remember the order of operations in Math. Make your ow n notes fr o m w hat you have rea d in the textb oo k. W rit e q uesti o ns and answe r th em later. Th e se ca n be que sti o ns fro m your tex tb oo k or MAPS OR CHARTS Use mind maps or charts eve n questi ons that you think are lik ely to co m e up o n the exam . This is a g oo d way to t es t yo ur to organize your information. This visually un de rstanding of what you learned and help you remember it. II II TALK OUT LOUD helps you to remember. 0 You ca n read the topic out loud, or tr y to teach the to p ci to so m eo ne e lse IMAGERY Draw or imagine a picture of what's being studied, or find one in a book. Mentally MIND MAPPING refer to the picture when you are testing. M ind maps are a g reat w ay to brea k do wn inform atio n into a simp le d ia gr am th at ca n be remem be red more eas ily. They're al so a goo d way to tes t w hether yo u know the subj ec t m att er. You ca n REHEARSE Verbally repeat or rehearse the redraw the diagram and deliberately leave blanks to information over and over again until you see if you ca n fill them in again or whether you ca n discuss the topic in more detail by only loo king at know it! Take a shower break and then test the key headings on th e min d map. yourself again. II TEST YOURSELF U se p ast ex am papers. T his is gr ea t for not only t es ti ng your know ledg e b ut also familia rizing HIGHLIGHT Use highlighters to review your yourse lf wit h th e exa m form at and str uctur e, w hich will help you se t tl e int o th e exam mu ch quic ker and notes . If they are color coded , underlined or easier on th e day. Use q uesti o ns fro m the text boo k. highlighted it may help you to remember II : :;!;;;."o" ,s ,m rtaSoS•o ,,o,o, b ack over inf orm ation that you learn, using different formats of learning. : l)\7(?: based on visual stimulation. BEFORE EXAMS DURING THE EXAM • DETERMINE WHAT YOUR IDEAL STUDY CONDITIONS ARE Everyone studies Find out exactly what is required for the exam effective one for you where you can focus on • Time, date, location and length of exam the material, free from distractions. Remember, • Ask your teacher what the exam will cover & in the exam you will be at a desk in a quiet what kind of questions may be asked (Ex. Is room. Keep this in mind so that you are there a study guide?) comfortable in this type of environment • Find out what you will need to bring to the • TAKE BREAKS Take breaks when studying. exam e.g. calculator, ruler, etc ... Study small portions of material, take a break • Ask your teacher about the format of the and then study some more exam e.g. multiple choice, diagrams, essay, etc ... • REWARD YOURSELF If you have stuck to The following suggestions will help you improve your study skills: Multiple Choice Questions differently. Make sure your study space is an your study plan; reward yourself by watching Read the questions carefully and determine the answer before you look at the choices. , If you are unsure, use the process of elimination to narrow down the choices then make a logical guess. .:> Never leave a question blank; you have a 20-25% chance of getting it right by guessing. Try not to change your original answer - in most cases your intuition is correct. TV or a movie, playing X-Box or surfing the Internet. You are more likely to study again • SETUP A SCHEDULE Use a calendar to plan your study time, recreation and social activities. For and concentrate if you know there is a reward · · · • • □□ · · · • • □□ · · · • • □□ · ■· ■· ■•■•■□□ □□ at the end of completing a task classes that are harder, make sure you give ON EXAM DAY yourself more time to study. DO NOT CRAM! • FIND A GOOD LOCATION Make sure the place is comfortable, but not too comfortable. Sitting at a desk or table is best. Avoid lying across the bed. • USE THE SAME PLACE FOR STUDYING This will help you with your memory when it is time for a test. It will also help you to concentrate better, because you will be in a routine or habit of studying in the same place. • Be well rested and eat a healthy meal before the exam • Be confident; a positive attitude is an asset • Use the bathroom just before the exam Short Answer Questions Read the question carefully! Ask yourself, what are they specifically asking? 0 Give a specific, clear, to the point explanation. Use examples from your text book, class or the real world. Essay Questions Determine main themes and topics. • Arrive at the exam room at least 10 minutes Read the question carefully! Underline key words in the question. Determine the purpose. before the exam • Put backpacks/jackets away • Don't talk to other students before the exam, they may confuse you • Bring the necessary materials -- you will not be allowed to share equipment 000 •••••• • •••• • ···1·· Before you begin writing, jot down all your ideas and organize them into an essay plan. Don't write your essay off the top of your head! Structure your essay: introduction, the body and the conclusion.
