De-Stress For Your Tests

-----------------------------------------------------------------Jenny Ludwig

Academic Success Center

Please put your netIDs in the chat forattendance

Today’s Plan

● What is studying?

● How do I study effectively?

● How do I not stress as much over tests?

What is studying?

● “...to apply the mind to the learning or understanding of (a subject)”○ Active Process

○ Engaging with information with the intention of understanding

● Doing homework is not the same as studying

Bloom’s Taxonomy

Bloom’s Taxonomy Take Away

● Studying is an active process!

● Takes more than just memorization

● It takes time

How Do I Study?

Active Studying Techniques

● Deep Process

○ aka - make

information meaningful to you

● Distributed Practice

○ aka - studying over time

● Information Retrieval

○ aka - testing your knowledge

Question –

How can you make the information more meaningful to you?

Shallow vs. Deep Process Learning

Shallow processing

● In class: physically present but

mind isn’t there

● Re-reading/memorizing

● Reading – looking at words, just

reading to “get through” the

material

Deep processing

● In class: focused attention,

listening for something new, notes

support understanding of material

● Relating to prior knowledge

● Pre-read assignments so that

material in class makes sense,

look for connections

Elaboration & Concrete Examples

● Go beyond simple recall

● Make connections to concepts you

already know or past experiences

● Use specific examples to understand

abstract ideas

Distinctiveness

● Compare and contrast concepts

○ How are the concepts different? How are they similar?

○ What stands out?

Personal Connection

● Relate the concepts/material to your own experiences○ Do you have personal examples that illustrate the concept?

● Apply the concepts to real life situations

Question –

When is the best time to start reviewing the material you learned in

class? Why is this early review important?

Distributed Practice

Short sessions over a longer period of

time

How do the breaks help you retain information?

Question –

How often should you assess your knowledge of the material?

Retrieval Practice

Practice/test your knowledge over time

Effective ways:

● Concept cards

● Practice Exams

● Information Retrieval - write down or tell someone everything you can

remember about the topic

Concept Cards

Make your own

Mix pictures and words

Break complex concepts up into multiple

cards/questions

Say answers aloud when studying

Mix them up!

I know I kind of know I don’t know

Great, so now how do I de-stress?

Before

● Be prepared!

● Have a good study environment

● Take care of your body○ Eat well

○ Get enough sleep

○ Exercise

● Be confident!

● Practice deep breathing to help calm nerves

During

● Arrive early (or log into Zoom early)

● Review the exam before you start

● Pace yourself

● Answer the questions you are sure you know first○ Star the ones you’re as confident in and come back to them

● Practice deep breathing to help calm nerves

● Utilize positive self talk

After

● Exhale! You’re done!

● Reward yourself

● Put your notes away

● Believe in yourself

Studying is hard and takes time, but it can be done!

Thank you!Academic Success Center

324 Greve Hall

academicsuccess@utk.edu

https://studentsuccess.utk.edu/academic-success-center/