Misbah's Advice: How to Really Study for Midterms/Exams/Finals

I can't believe it's already the middle of the semester! University seems to be going by fairly quickly - or maybe it's just the super busy schedule I've had recently... Regardless, I have my first midterm tomorrow in psychology and I seem to be prepared for it. I'm still kind of stressed out because I get stressed out at the sound of any test, especially now that my enrollment into university is on the line. I decided it was the best time of the year to advise others about my study tips that will {hopefully} enable you to earn an "A" on your midterm, tests, or final exams! 

1) Always review your notes after class and before the next class.

Ebbinghaus theorized that the most forgetting takes place right after we learn something. So, if you're reviewing your notes on a daily basis, you are able to retain that memory a lot easier. Also, it makes it easier for you to study when you do have a test because you already know most of the material. Also, when I was in Ready, Set, Teach; we were told to reinforce the main idea in our lesson plans three times. We did this because it takes three times to fully remember and ingrain an idea. So keep on reading, rereading, and rereading! 

2) Study at least 4-5 days in advance.

I like to study four days in advance, sometimes five if there is a lot of material to cover. It's proven that if you study collectively (meaning, you study over the course of a few days) and then reserve one day to review, you will retain more info and you will be able to recall that memory easier. So studying the night before or a couple of days before and cramming material in will not help you. It will only hurt you. 

3) Pulling an all-nighter will hurt you more than you think.

Sleep deprivation lowers your ability to recall stored memory. So, you may seem cool to your friends when you brag about the all-nighter you pulled for that Bio exam, but in reality, you know you totally bombed that exam because you couldn't remember anything regardless of studying all night. The best remedy for recalling studied material is to study it collectively and to get eight hours of sleep each night and before test day. Your body needs those eight hours in order to process and store all that information into sturdy memory! 

4) Write and do not type.

Studies have shown that retention is better when you are writing your notes. The muscle movements send signals to the brain which help you remember the information you are learning. So next time you're in class, bust out that notebook and pen. Typing on a computer will only hinder your ability to learn correctly. If you're in a class where your professor talks too fast and typing is the easiest solution to get everything they are saying, I would still recommend writing but also invest in a sound recorder or just use the sound recorder on your phone! This way, if you miss anything, you will be able to go back to the lecture and fill in holes! 

5) Go to the review sessions!!!

Review sessions may not seem helpful, but sometimes, professors will give subtle hints as to what is on the test. Going to that review session may seem painful because you could be doing other things, but what if that session was able to earn you an "A"? I always go the review sessions because it makes me feel more comfortable with the material on the test. My professors tell me exactly what's on it and some even give out a couple of questions from it! 

6) Relax before the test.

If you've studied well, gotten enough sleep, and you know everything there is to know, then relax. Drink some tea, slap on a face mask, and just sit back and relax for a moment. Breathe deeply and do some stellar yoga poses. Just relax for just a moment. Sometimes, we stress out and freak out right before the test. What's even worse is when that freakout causes you to suddenly forget all the material you just learned! DON'T PANIC. It will come to you if you just take a breather and relax. You've done your share, now it's up to your brain to recall all that memory from your very sturdy engram. 

Good luck on everyone who has midterms coming up! MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU. 

~Misbah

Misbah's Advice: First Week of College

Hello everyone! I'm actually keeping to my word that I would post every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday which means I deserve a cookie. My blog is constantly changing and improving so in addition to the other features that I do on here, I will also be doing advice on a certain topic every month!

College. It's an exciting experience for many because it means living away from home (for some), being independent, and adjusting to a completely new environment. It is my first year in college and to be completely honest, it feels like I've already been in college before. I don't feel like everything is new and I definitely do not feel like the environment is completely different. I feel at home and very comfortable. This is very different from what I expected, but anyway, here's my advice for getting through the first week of college!*

*It seems a bit odd that I'm posting this AFTER college has already been in session, but you never know! Maybe there are some people transferring to a different university next semester. Or this could be used in reference for next year...

1) Go to class and get to class on time.

Now that you're in college, not all classes take attendance. I know, it seems very tempting to skip, but go to class! The first week is one of the most important weeks of the semester. Syllabi are passed out, you get to meet your peers, and find out where your comfortable spot is in the lecture hall. Aside from actually going to class, you definitely need to be on time to class. A lot of the professors do not tolerate late class arrivals and may ask you to leave. Plus, you might get a seat you definitely do not want (in the back where it's hard to see and hear). Being on time ensures that you are prepared for class and are ready for the day's lecture. You won't be that awkward person who disrupts everyone with the shuffling of your backpack and papers.

2) Look up where your classes are the night before.

This is especially important if you're attending a large university. Look up where you class is via a map that your university provides on their website. This helps you get an idea of what to expect when you actually get there and you won't be completely lost! Most universities and colleges have an app you can download. Usually there is an interactive map inside the app. At my university, they have an interactive map that I used my first couple of days on campus. Don't be afraid to pull out a hard copy of the map either. You're not alone - there's tons of freshman just like you who are probably lost as well. This will help you arrive to class on time and snag a good seat during the first week!

3) Begin reading as soon as you can.

Most universities have their class books already posted. If not, email your professor and ask before school is in session. This way, you will get the best deals on textbooks and you won't end up spending hundreds of dollars. Also, as soon as your professor begins lecturing, go home and read that book! If you're caught up with reading by the time midterms roll around, you won't have that much to study. If not, you're in big trouble. You can't cram 4 chapters of reading in couple of days before your midterm. The more reading you do ahead of time, the better.

4) Go over your notes on a daily basis.

After your professor has lectured, set aside an hour at home to review your notes and review them again before class starts. By doing this, you are reinforcing the material in your head and refreshing your brain of the previous class's lecture.

5) Sleep early and wake up early.

This is for you people who have 8am classes! I learned that sleeping early - no matter what - is a lot more beneficial to you than staying up at 1am to study and then waking up at 7am super tired. Also, early bird gets the worm. That saying speaks for itself.

6) Make at least one new friend!

Some of you may be going to a university that a lot of your friends are going to. On the other hand, some of you may be going to a university that you know absolutely nobody at. Whichever circumstance you are in, MAKE A FRIEND. The reason you should make new friends in college is 1) they will most likely be able to help you with class 2) they will probably share your interests a lot better than your high school friends. I'm not saying to ditch your high school friends, but rather expand your friend circle to a comfortable extent. The friends you make in college will most likely be the friends you have for life.

7) Don't fall for that "Get Involved!" spiel everyone talks about

During orientation, you will find that almost everyone there is coaxing you into joining an organization and getting involved on campus. They even appeal to you by saying that if you don't get involved, you won't get that "first year experience". This is a trap. It's okay to join a couple of organizations. But in your first semester of college, definitely think about your work load and how well you will do. If you think that you won't be able to manage clubs and school work, then don't join anything! Most people get so involved that they forget they actually have school. I like to think that university administration encourages you to join every single organization out there, forget about school, fail your classes, which in turn makes you pay more money to the university by having to re-take that course.

8) Buy books online

A lot of first generation college students' parents are so excited about college and don't know/realize that buying books at the university's bookstore is actually a lot more expensive than buying them online. Always always always rent and buy books online. This will save you hundreds of dollars.

9) Study in advance for your first midterm

A lot of freshman make the mistake of assuming it's still high school and they study the night before their midterm. Now unless, you have photographic memory (which is impossible), then you cannot simply take in all that material in one night. What will happen is that you will end up learning nothing and falling asleep while studying the night before the midterm. I recommend studying 4-5 days before the exam and leaving one day as a review day. The review day should be the day before the exam. This will allow you to space out the material and it gives you plenty of time to study.

10) Invest in a Contigo water bottle

Most likely, you will attend a campus that requires you to walk everywhere. Whether it's a small or large campus, walking makes your body work and the thirst becomes real. Always stay hydrated and use this water bottle from Contigo. It's really good for college students because you can easily hold onto it with the handle and the spout is covered so that germs cannot get into the spout and infect you with a weird virus. I love my Contigo water bottle! Some are even insulated to keep your water cold for those hot days on campus.

~Misbah