Whats the best way to study for a midterm

kendogg

Diamond Member
Oct 10, 1999
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I heard about putting your book on top of a can of beer. hehe but on a more serious note my study habits have gone to the drain... I want some tips on how you guys study.. in terms of environment, and how you approach your studies....
 

kantonburg

Platinum Member
Oct 10, 1999
2,975
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Personally I like it quiet and don't like to be bothered. I have to be in my room also. No library.

Notecards work the best for me.
 

silent tone

Golden Member
Oct 9, 1999
1,571
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76
I certainly can't help you, I stay on the net all day to avoid studying. I actually like most of my classes, but lately I just hate studying.
 

somethingwitty

Golden Member
Aug 1, 2000
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quiet room, type notes out on each chapter-it helps you remember the material and gives you an easy study guide for cramming
 

perry

Diamond Member
Apr 7, 2000
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Let's start with the basics.

Step 1) Go to class
Step 2) Stay awake during class and pay attention

You'd be amazed at how much better you do with just those two steps.
 

FrontlineWarrior

Diamond Member
Apr 19, 2000
4,905
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Procrastinate
Procrastinate
Procrastinate
Procrastinate...



...Procrastinate


...Procrastinate...


CRAM CRAM CRAM CRAM CRAM CRAM CRAM
 

prodigy

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
14,822
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Last semester I really screwed up and hardly went to class and also crammed for tests at the last moment. Getting put on academic probation ain't pretty so I got my act together. As perry said, definitely go to every class and pay attention, it makes a huge difference. Cramming the night before doesn't work you've got to spread it out over at least a week before.

As for environment, I need to have quiet (or have some classical music playing in the background)and also be at my desk. Lying on the bed just makes me too comfortable and I'll fall asleep.
 

shopbruin

Diamond Member
Jul 12, 2000
5,817
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1. get away from computer
2. studying in bed doesn't work
3. sit up straight at a table, books in front of you
4. whatever you need to drown out the noise around you
5. a rope to strangle anyone that makes noise.

:)

today i had to go to the commons, invade one of the study rooms, and locked myself in to get some good studying done. ahhhhh the quiet....
 

Moonbeam

Elite Member
Nov 24, 1999
74,869
6,783
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Since people learn in different ways, I'd say the best way to study depends on how you like to learn.
 

Electric Amish

Elite Member
Oct 11, 1999
23,578
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Depends on how you learn. I've been lucky in that if I go to class regularly and pay attention, take a few notes. I will learn all that I need for the tests. Take a minute and thumb through my notes before the test and I'm good. I usually only worked on homework assignments while at home. I never really "studied".

amish
 

StageLeft

No Lifer
Sep 29, 2000
70,150
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It is true that going to class really keeps your grades high...but I never did that much, and I always always detested school. So I didn't study and my grades sucked, so in conclusion I don't know how to study.
 

ratkil

Platinum Member
Jan 12, 2000
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I never understood the concept myself. I usually went to class, but have never studied.
 

Namuna

Platinum Member
Jun 20, 2000
2,435
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In this age of technology you STILL study?

What the HELL is wrong with you? CHEAT!

Make a spreadsheet, 2 columns. Column1 = Questions, Column2 = Answers
Force to print on 1 page (you'll end up with TINY fonts), wear STRONG eyeglasses to compensate.
 

HKSturboKID

Golden Member
Oct 20, 2000
1,816
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I remember my college finals. In my COBOL class every damn year the teacher uses the same test...in another words all you have to remember is the letters of the answer and just fill them in. And of course with my luck damn teacher have to change the test that year. I end up getting a 20 on the test. :|:|:|
Thats not the worst. COBOL was a 2 semester class and since I fail the final I fell the class and on top of that I have to repeat the class and worst they change the book for the next semester. I end up buying another damn COBOL book! :|:|:|
 

Mucman

Diamond Member
Oct 10, 1999
7,246
1
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I am studying right now! I have a quiz tommorrow and I have my textbook opened to the same page for the last hour. I seems the closer I get to an exam the more I go on AT forums and play games and stuff. I hate my study habits... I think I will change them... later :p
 

beat mania

Platinum Member
Jan 23, 2000
2,451
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76
Look at it this way - if you understand the material by paying attention in class, you wouldn't have to study.
It worked for me.
 

cfredc

Senior member
Jul 19, 2000
240
0
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STUDY? what a wuss... just knock back a few drinks before class and go take the exam... my roommate did that and surprisingly enough he did better than expected....
 

The Wildcard

Platinum Member
Oct 31, 1999
2,743
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If it's a big midterm and if you screwed up on your other midterms, then plan to study 2 days before the midterm. It depends on what your subject is.

If it's more literature related/multiple choice (ie.history) then you could either read all the chapters you need to before hand and then on the night before, go through each chapter and write up a couple of study notes.

However, if it's more math/physics/cs related then you could look over your lecture notes on one day and on the next day(which is the day before the test) repeat some homework problems and practice a bit.

But if you did pretty average/decent on your previous midterms AND you seem to be understanding what's going on in class, then you can just study the night before if we are talking about a math/physics/cs class.

Also, when you are PRACTICING math/physics problems or REVIEWING over history chapters, try to study in groups, BUT not in big groups. 1 or 2 more people is the max. The problem with big groups is that you tend to just goof off and talk about other stuff and waste time.

BTW, the important thing is that the actual READING of the chapters or the actual READING of your lecture notes should be done individually. that makes sure that it gets into your head, lol.