Age of Discovery Exam on Friday. Keep going on the reading, due Friday. Really straightforward Study Guide below as well as some tips for success moving forward below that.
age_of_discovery_exam_review_guide.docx |
One of the hardest things about this class is learning how to beat the tests. A lot of you are learning how to study for the first time and there are some growing pains in that. We’ll get there. We talked about a handful of strategies today. The most important things are the ones that are habitual. Make them a regular part of your routine.
- Write a two sentence summary of the day’s notes each day. Right there at the bottom of the page, write what the big idea was and how it connects with the broader themes of that week.
- Make flashcards as we go through the unit. Instead of making them as a group at the end, use writing them as a chance to review each day.
- When you make flash cards, lay them out on the table and try to identify relationships between them. How are they connected?
- When you study, turn off Netflix and put your phone in another room. Study a little bit every day, don’t try to do marathon cram sessions the day before an exam.
- When you do the reading, are you trying to hunt for the answers or are you reading to understand? Changing the way you interact with the text can make a big difference. Put post-its in to ask questions or call attention to important items.
- Ask questions in class. Make sure you understand. Ask for clarification. If you are nervous and want to come on your own, please do. I rarely leave my cave. I want to help. Come see me.
- Get a small study group together and meet regularly. This gives you a chance to work together and make sure you “get it.”
- Attend the group study sessions starting next week. We will meet at lunch or after school and review the material of the week or for the upcoming test. Take advantage of the opportunity.
- In class, are you listening and giving discussion your full attention? Is your phone out? Are you talking to your neighbor? Putting tape on them?
- Are you struggling to write the information as we discuss it? Would it be better to listen fully and write the information down later? This can be an option.
- Sleep and eat. Take care of yourself. The effects of a lack of either are real. If either of these are a concern, come see me. We can work out a schedule that works for you.