Self-Learning Resources
Study Skills- Before a Test

Studying Disclaimer: Trial and Error

Everyone will have their own strategies to study for a test, and the hard answer is that there is no one-size-fits all method that will work perfectly. You will need to try a few things to see what works best for you. So you need to give yourself grace as you try to figure out what works best for you. At the same time, you need to be honest with yourself, especially if your current methods aren't working for you.

Recreate the Conditions of the Test

One of the components of test anxiety is not the information itself, but also the format of the test. Get as much information as you can from your professor regarding the type of questions (long answer, multiple choice, etc.), how long you have, and any other information regarding format (can you use a notecard, can you get partial credit for showing your work, etc.). Then in your studying, recreate those conditions while you practice.

The more you can decrease the stress around the format of the test, the better you will do when recollecting the content.

Timing: Do you only get 30 minutes for a quiz? Try to recall all of the information you will need over the course of 30 minutes, and time yourself.
Question Types: Will the questions include both multiple-choice and true/false? Practice both options! You can turn to your tutors or tutor coordinators to get sample test questions.
Test Format: Will the exam be online? Paper and pencil? Quiz yourself using that format.

Memorizing Techniques

So much of your testing will rely on memorizing certain information. Now the absolute best way to memorize, annoyingly, is by fully understanding all of the contexts around which you will see that information. When information feels isolated in our brain that is when it is hardest to remember. So contextualizing and connecting information to other things that you know is the best method, but also the most time consuming. So there are a few other ways for when perhaps you don't have the time to contextualize everything.

Retrieval Practice: put all formulas/info that you need to memorize on a notecard, take it out every so often before the test and study it. Then use the card less and less.
Dual Coding: Match the things you need to memorize to pictures in your head, or include those pictures in a study guide.
Mnemonics: Come up with a song, a sentence (like the planets one we learned as kids), or a specific order that helps you remember things.

Active Learning

Whatever you do while you are studying make sure that you are studying in a way that promotes active learning. Active learning is the opposite of passive learning. Think about passive learning as something you can do when you aren't totally focused. Can you half-heartedly read your textbook? Yes. Do you fully understand everything in it when you do that? Nope.

Active learning transforms the information in some way. Maybe you put it in your own words, or you ask questions about a topic, or you teach it to someone else. Anything you can do that ensures that you are paying attention is considered active learning.

Active Note-Taking: Cornell Notes, Mind-Maps, and Outline notes are all good ways to maintain active learning.
Teach Backs: One of the best ways to ensure that you understand information is to teach it to someone else. This is a great time to use a tutor!
Application: Put the information in the context of a fake case study, how would you go about it? How does this information apply to a real-life scenario?