How to Survive the First Big Test in College

How to Survive the First Big Test in College 5 tips to survive the first big test in college The first big test in college can be extremely overwhelming, or it can be an opportunity to shine. College exams are different than those in high school in many ways. For example, new college students will notice there are not as many opportunities for extra credit or bonus points on the exam, and the test questions may seem a fair amount more difficult. However, most college professors will let students know well in advance of any major test, which occur two or three times throughout the semester or quarter. There isnt a class that teaches students how to study for a college level exam, so it ends up being a learning experience for most students. However, there are some universal tips students can follow to have the best chance of success on these all important tests. 1.   Time management One of the best things new college students can do is focus on time management. Attempting to study for an exam until 2 AM the night before will results in an exhausted student and a low grade. University level exams are complicated and take at least a few days to study for. As a result, students are encouraged to start early and leave themselves plenty of extra time in case something comes up or if they need to get in touch with the professor in regards to a tricky set of questions. Time management is a challenge for anybody, but its one of the key elements to doing well at this level. 2. Create a study guide Some professors will provide a study guide as a suggestion for what topics to study. However, anything students have learned up until that point is considered fair game. Its beneficial when students create their study guide based on key elements of each chapter and topics that have been discussed extensively in class. If a professor didn’t provide a study guide; students need to start from scratch and make sure they leave enough time to update or add to their study guide as needed (READ: 4 Differences Between College and High School English Courses). 3. Clarifications If a student is ever unsure of what to study or in what format the test will be given its always helpful to clarify. Students will have access to the professor and a TA through email, class time, and office hours. Students should make sure they have enough time to get questions answered, so they have time left over to study appropriately. Many students go into their first big exam feeling confused about what they should’ve focused on or what theyll be tested on. However, this is 100% preventable as long as students have great communication with the teaching staff. 4. Reading One of the most important things college students can do to prepare for an exam is read any assigned text in full. Many professors know that students run out of time and try to take a shortcut when it comes to reading comprehension. To encourage students to read fully, professors include questions that can only be answered by students who have read the entire text. The test may include obscure vocabulary terms or concepts that are only covered within these chapters. Reading is one of the most important things college student can do to score high on any given exam. 5. Review The first semester of college can be very stressful, leaving many students with the inability to remember everything they have learned in a given day. This is normal and happens to most students who are expected to learn a ton of different subjects in a short period. As a result, leaving time for review is one of the smartest things a student can do. When students take in new information, their brains need time to digest it. If students take a break and then go back another day and review the important elements, theyre more likely to remember it completely on test day. Also, review allows students to take a second stab at difficult concepts that they didnt understand 100% the first time around. Although review is extremely helpful, it can only be done if students leave enough time to focus on it before the day of their exam. Our San Diego private test prep tutors will help you score on any test. Call us today for more information. All blog entries, with the exception of guest bloggers, are written by Tutor Nerds. Are you an education professional? If so, email us at pr@tutornerds.com for guest blogging and collaborations. We want to make this the best free education resource in SoCal, so feel free to suggest what you would like to see us write.