Study Advice

David W. Lyons
Spring 2020

• Plan for two hours of study outside of class for each hour of class.
• Keep a loose leaf binder with reading notes, homework solutions, and class notes. Mark your questions clearly with sticky notes or some other device and follow up every question, either in class or in office hours, until you gain understanding.
• After reading, summarize the material in your own words.
• Use flash cards or lists to learn vocabulary. Write each term on one side of a card. Write a definition (using complete sentences, not sentence fragments) and an example on the back of the card.
• To prepare for quizzes and exams, do the following, beginning some days to a week in advance.
  • Make an outline of course topics and problem types.
  • Memorize vocabulary, including examples.
  • Work and check solutions to problems from previous quizzes, exams, and homework.
• If clock management during exams is an issue, practice working a few exam style problems once a week with a timer running.
• If test anxiety has a negative effect on your performance, here is some advice.
• Do not become sleep deprived. Trading sleep for study time is counterproductive.
• Eat a healthy diet and exercise every day. Eating poorly and lack of physical activity reduce your mental abilities.