Hi everyone:

How do you prepare for an upcoming exam in the most time-efficient way possible?

Don’t wait till the last minute is one idea. Studying smarter is another.

How do you study smarter?  When you have an assignment to read a chapter in your textbook, don’t read it from beginning to end until you do the following:

Look at the chapter summaries (they are located at the end of the chapter).

Look at the self-tests and see what they cover (they are a good way for the instructor to not have to re-invent the wheel. Some test questions may come directly from these already-written self-tests).

Look at the terms used and find out what they mean.

Now you read the chapter.

The preview you have given yourself means that the terms and ideas being used therein are not totally foreign to you.  It’s also a good idea to read the chapter before you get to class, so that the teacher isn’t speaking a foreign language when he or she gives the lecture.

Good luck on your exams! Now you are better prepared.

Best,

Dr. Sheri