ASC Study Tip- GET A TUTOR!

Midterm grades come out this week. Didn’t do as well as you’d like? Want to improve your grade? Just want to have a group to review and learn with?

Get an ASC Tutor! We will be hosting information sessions to get a tutor through next week, March 7. Meetings are Mondays and Wednesdays at 12:00 and 12:30 or Tuesdays and Thursdays at 11:00 and 11:30 in VanZoeren 299. You only need to attend one or you can schedule an individual appointment in the ASC office. We will continue to take appointments through April 12. Although the sooner you apply the better!

The ASC also offers one time appointments (or multiple) to discuss study and test taking strategies. Contact our office if you would like to meet with one of us!

All ASC services are FREE!

ASC Study Tip- LOTS of FREE Resources on campus!

Review & Reflect Regularly- What’s working? What’s not? Make a plan to adjust.

Don’t wait until you are doing poorly to seek out help- seek out resources before it’s too late to turn things around!

Many FREE resources are available to you:

Your professors and academic advisor

Your RA and/or RD

Academic Success Center

Tutoring Services

Group Study Sessions

Peer Academic Coaching and Study Strategy Assistance

Online Student Resources

Klooster Writing Center

Disability and Accessibility Resources

Counseling and Psychological Services

Boerigter Center for Calling and Career

5-STEP FINAL EXAM WEEK PREPARATION – Part II

1. Divide up your time.

• Spend Time Studying for the Exams that Carry the Most Weight.

• Focus Your Time on Difficult Classes – spend the majority of your time on the classes where your grade is borderline.

2. Stay alert.

• Get a good night’s SLEEP! Your brain can’t function properly without 7-8 hours sleep a night.

• Run stairs or do some jumping-jacks. Exercise gets blood flowing and increases your alertness.

• It has been proven that the smell of cinnamon and peppermint can help you stay alert. So chew on some gum if you’re feeling worn out.

3. Remember what you study.

• Recite, recite, recite! Recitation will burn facts into your mind. Recite the material out loud until you’re sure that you will be able to recall it.

4. Study selectively.

• Decide which information is most important and concentrate on it. Resist the temptation to try and learn all of the important-looking material.

• As you go through your notes and textbook find important definitions, concepts and equations. Write them down on 3” X 5” note cards. This will help you identify what you need to know, and you’ll have a handy set of flash cards. The process of rewriting may also help you memorize the content.

5. Eat a good breakfast.

• Eat a good breakfast the morning of the exam. Nutritious foods will keep your nerves steady and your brain engaged.

Need help/encouragement? Stop by the Academic Success Center in VanZoeren 261 for your personalized study session and a free deck of ASC Final Exam Study Strategies cards.

5-STEP FINAL EXAM WEEK PREPARATION – Part I

5-STEP FINAL EXAM WEEK PREPARATION – Part I

  1. Ask Questions!
  • Don’t be afraid to speak up in class. There’s a good chance that at least one other person doesn’t get it, either.
  • Use your prof’s office hours or schedule an appointment. Make a list of your questions and bring it with you. Record the answers on your list!
  1. Make a Study Guide
  • Put the information into your own words. This helps you retain it.
  • Create flashcards. Use the Quizlet app on your phone to create flashcards and quizzes.
  1. Arrange or Join a Study Group
  • It will help  you look at topics from different perspectives and you might even discover more effective study tips.
  1. Adjust Your Schedule
  • Form a study schedule, and stick to it. If your friend invites you on a Meijer run, remember to trade an equivalent amount of break time elsewhere in your schedule for study time.
  • You’ll be more productive if you include brief (10-15 minutes) study breaks every 1-2 hours. Do something entirely different during that time (e.g. going for a walk, run, or meeting a friend for a quick snack).
  1. Get Out of Your Dorm Room
  • The absolute worst place to study is on your bed. Even if you are at your desk, you can’t help but see your bed and be drawn in, or have a neighbor distract you.
  • Instead, take your headphones and study materials to the library or nearby café with free Wi-Fi and good coffee.
  • Don’t wait until the night before your exam to pack your brain with dates, statistics, and formulas. Pulling all-nighters can actually strain your brain.

Need help/encouragement? Stop by the Academic Success Center in VanZoeren 261 for your personalized study session and a free deck of ASC Final Exam Study Strategies cards.

One Week Left to get an ASC Tutor!

The last date that the ASC will accept applications for a tutor is Monday, November 19. If you would like to be matched with a tutor (for most 100 & 200 level courses) please stop by the ASC (261 VanZoeren Hall) by 5:00pm Monday, November 19. A printable application and further information can be found on the ASC website.

ASC Study Tip (week of 10/22)

Keep your study area clear of items that could distract you. Have necessary materials close at hand. Concentrate! If you suddenly think of something else you need to do, jot it down to put it out of your mind and return to it later. Turn off notifications and anything else that might disturb you.

We suggest trying the Pomodoro Technique. Check out another video about this technique and how to stop procrastinating.

The 10 Best Pomodoro Apps!

Try a Pomodoro session with the College Geek.

ASC Study Tip

Most effective studying is active, testing and questioning yourself (not passive like just re-reading notes/ textbook) and spaced throughout the week.

Think about using even short intervals of time effectively (like between classes.)
In 15 minutes you could:

· Review lecture notes and highlight the key ideas.
· Quiz yourself on the key terms in a chapter.
· Write a summary of a few paragraphs from an article/textbook.
· Read a brief article.
· List all the things you have to do later/ tomorrow.

Need more ideas? Check out how the ASC can help!