How to Study for Exams Guide ~ Mary Magoulick
Be sure you have done the readings, attended lectures (or have notes from someone who did), seen the videos (if any), and are familiar with the key information from this website related to our class.
To Study (all of the above), I recommend:.
Ø Review all the readings and re-read the parts of readings that you underlined or noted as significant, or the parts indicated as significant in class
Ø Underline or highlight the parts of your notes, web page print-outs, readings, and worksheets that seem important to you
Ø Make notes of the important ideas from the readings. You could make a study sheet labeled "READINGS" on which you list and write the author's and work's names plus key points, themes, characters and ideas from each of the assigned readings
Ø Make notes from the lectures
Ø Make separate sheets of paper on which you organize and re-write the important concepts for a given group, period, or category.
o For instance you could have various sheets of paper to summarize each section of the course.
FOR IDST 2315: For the midterm you'd need one labeled “Native American,” one labeled “African American,” one labeled “European/American,” and one labeled “concepts”
FOR CHILDREN's LIT: For the exam you'd need one labeled "Picture Books," one labeled "Fairy Tales," one labeled "Early Children's lit" (to include Carroll and Baum), one labeled "Fantasy," another labeled "Poetry," another "multicultural lit," another "heroism," and one "non-fiction."
o On each of these sheets of paper you should list details, important events, themes, or examples from notes and the readings that you think are particularly important to that group / topic.
o This will give you a study sheet for each of the important parts of the class so far.
Ø Talk to classmates (study in groups) to be sure you agree on which ideas and details are important and significant.
Ø FOR IDST 2315: DATES and other specific details will be important in the development of your answers to questions, but will not be the focus of the exam (though they might help you earn extra credit points)
FOR CHILDREN's LIT: You will be tested objectively on both FACTS (like defining metaphor for instance or names of characters or authors, or when something was written) as well as on important themes, issues and genres from the class (like understanding poetry or fantasy genres or issues from Harry Potter).
FOR THE TEST:
v Come to class well rested, well nourished, alert, and on time
v Bring loose leaf paper and pen or pencil
v Do not wear a baseball cap or other caps that will cover your eyes
v Put away all papers and books so that they are out of sight (i.e. in a closed book bag) during the test. The only things on your desk should be:
o your test
o pen or pencil
o some blank loose leaf note paper (for IDST 2315; we'll provide the test for Children's lit)
v Sit with an empty chair on either side of you if possible
Most of the rest of this is applicable FOR IDST 2315 only (not children's lit)
v : Time yourself (bring a watch)
o You should spend about 5 minutes to answer each short answer question
o You should spend about 30 minutes to answer the essay question
v Argument, Development (having proof / evidence), and Organization are the most important aspects of your essay (be sure to have a thesis in answer to the question), but grammar, spelling, and sentence structure DO COUNT!
o Spend time to organize (write a mini-outline) of your answer
o Spend time at the end to proofread briefly
v Be sure to answer the question that is asked (read questions carefully and think about how you can answer that question)
v Try to relax and keep your mind clear and focused throughout the test
o Breathe deeply through your nose to increase oxygen and to stay focused / relaxed
o Try closing your eyes and visualizing a place where you are comfortable studying