Where do ya'll like to study? Home Library Engineering (or other building) coffee shop -I prefer the library (PCL) or the ME building (ETC). Its best to study away from a tv, computer, and other distractions. Find a cubicle and tune out the rest of the world and just study. -Avoid studying in large groups. Don't study with more than 2 other people, otherwise ya'll will end up BS'ing too much. -Keep a Coke, Coffee, or water on hand so you don't have to get up. -Budget your time, know which finals you need to do well on, and the ones where you know your grade is set. -Stay away from NBA playoff games as much as possible- this can take up alot of time. -Don't post on CC.net at 3AM EE338 Electr. Circuits: Wed 9-12PM EE325 Electromag: Thu 2-5PM EE351K Prob Stat for Eng: Thu 2-5PM -Best of luck to all ------------------ "Oh No..." -Bill Walton in 97 just before Stockton's buzzer beater
Good advice. And a little advice of my own... - Try not to wait until the last minute to start studying for a final (i.e. *cramming*), especially if the final is cumulative. Start ahead of time. In fact, I wouldn't *cram* at any time before a final...attempting to study 100% of the material for a particular course all at once might be a bit overwhelming for your brain to process, leaving you prone to quickly forgetting some material. Instead, study systematically....for example, cover a third of the course material on one day, the next third on the next day, and the last third on the day after that...and then do a brief review the day before the final. Doing it this way allows for the course material to get into your LTM (long-term memory) where it is not so easily forgotten. Studies have shown that people who start early & pace themselves while studying tend to remember more things (not just for the final, but in the future also) and perform better on tests than people who wait until the last minute. - Here at UT, most instructors and TAs (teaching assistants) hold office hours and some even have review sessions before final exams. Try to take advantage of these opportunities. I'm sure this is the case for most other universities as well. - Take breaks (both mentally and physically) on occasion, don't just focus exclusively on studying...that could stress you out (I'm speaking from personal experience here). Mix in some fun or relaxing activities. This does not mean that you should neglect Baqui's advice about "Keep a Coke, Coffee, or water on hand so you don't have to get up." That advice is important too...it will help to prevent fatigue. - Do not pull all-nighters, especially on the day before the final, especially if that final is in the morning. Get a good night's sleep; it'll do you good. - Approach your final exams with confidence that you will do well, instead of fear that you'll do poorly. This is analagous to free-throw shooting (i.e. shoot with confidence and don't be afraid to miss, because if you are you'll probably miss it) I do nearly all of my studying either at my apartment (my roomates don't make a whole lot of noise) or on the 6th floor of the PCL. I'm studying for PHL 301, CS 341 (Automata Theory), and CS 352 (Computer Systems Architecture). PHL stands for philosophy and CS stands for computer science. ------------------
Yeah I've got 3 finals to worry about on wednesday. Fortunately only one is a cumulative final, and the grade on this final won't affect my overall grade enough to hurt me. Those tips all sound great, but I always end up procrastinating till the night before when I try to cram everything in. I think I'm the most average student in the history of academia. I could spend a whole week studying a subject to the point where I could teach it, and I'd get a B. I could also wait until a couple hours before the test, and get a B also. It's the most bizarre thing I've ever seen. Anyway 24 hours from now, I'm sure I'll be popping the No Doze and cramming and taking breaks/stalling by posting on here. All of these studying habits I suggest to no one... ------------------ Saturday, Donny, is shabbas, the Jewish day of rest. That means I don't work, I don't drive a car, I don't f***** ride in a car, I don't handle money, I don't turn on the oven, and I sure as s*** don't f****** roll!
You poor souls. I've been done with finals since Friday and have done nothing productive since! I'll definitely say that I can not study with a large group. That never works. Conversation is inevitable. I can't have any distractions if I really need to study. Therefore I can't stay at home because then the computer is staring at me the whole time. I usually go to the library. Good luck with the rest of your finals! ------------------ "...just because a clever person can complicate the discussion about the truth doesn't necessarily mean he or she is making any progress in finding it."
Hey Baqui, Do you have that crazy guy for stats?? lol, I had a UT friend tell me that her stats prof was certifiably insane. Although, I understand deVenciana (sp?) is real good. I'm doin EE at UH and have my stats final on Wed, good luck w/ ur exams!! ------------------
Its times like these that remind me how little I miss school. ------------------ I'm about to boldly go where many men have gone before.
ditto Sammy ------------------ www.swirve.com "Pre-born, you're fine, pre-school, you're f*****."-George Carlin
Aaaaaahahahahaha... they have to do that stuff and don't get paid... aaaaaaahahaahahaha... I remember those days... aaaahahahahahaha... I think I'll go outside and enjoy some sunshine with no responsibilities or tests to worry about. ------------------ NBA Draft Lottery is May 20th. Start praying now.
Baqui, no drinks allowed in the library, you know that. I have an 89.3 in one class and the prof. won't give me an A. So, now I have a take home final. Oh no, it isn't easy. I have to write about why adv. is good, do a mind map of how to change the elementary school system, an essay on whether or not we live in a creativogenic society, how we would run her class if we were in charge, and ad campaign for either Fast company magazine or burpee seeds. I almost feel like taking the B. ------------------ "norm, would you like to buy an indian scalp ? This deal isn't gonna make or break me Norm, so don't jerk me around." Harry Carey "Norm, if I had a mohawk scalp, I wouldn't be sitting here talking to you."
Cramming never hurt me - I crammed my ass off and graduated weith honours. When you have 10 exams in 2 weeks you have no choice. Definitely re-write your notes. Nothing helps the memory like writing it down. Study long and hard but take frequent breaks. 10 minutes every hour plus longer breask after 4 hours. Take time to read previous exam papers and even do them if you can. I've done exams that have ranged from having a couple of similar questions, to having every question lifted from previous papers. Prioritize questions during the exam. DO the easy ones that you are confident about first. Gets you into the swing of things, builds confidence, gets the marker in a good mood thinking "this guy knows what he's doing", and most importantly makes sure you don;t miss any questions by running out of time. If it is a calculation/engineering type exam, explain your working in detail. If you make a simple arithmetic error, but don't show any working or explanation, the marker will probably dock you the full mark. If it is obvious that you were doing the right thing, he will probably only knock off a couple of points. If you run out of time, answer in point form - scramble for marks! Just demonstrating your knowledge will win you a few points here and there. ------------------ ..as a man danced so the drums were beaten for him. Current Rocket's Salary & Contract Info
My advice: PLACE TO STUDY: library or desk or table elsewhere. Away from distractions. If you're sleep-deprived, make sure it's not too comfortable. (anyone ever lie down on the couch to "study"? You know what really happens...) Home is bad - too many distractions. Make sure you're not near a computer. FOOD AND DRINK: OK as long as you don't have to take your attention away from the studying. Small pieces of candy are good. Keep a drink with you only if you can drink it slowly. Otherwise you will be having to get up - a lot. Use some caffeine but not much. ABSOLUTELY NO MOUNTAIN DEW. GROUPS: usually good, but keep them small and make sure you stay on topic. Better than studying alone. (if you're alone, 1) anything you don't understand, you're screwed, and 2) you can daydream and no one will notice) ALL-NIGHTERS: not this time. They have their uses: papers, assignments, preparing for presentations. They are _not_ to be used to study for exams. Otherwise you will not be in any kind of shape to take a test. Get at least five hours sleep. If you have to deprive yourself, do it only for morning exams, and make sure you sleep some. MUSIC/TV: keep the TV off. Better with no music, too, but if 1) you're falling asleep/ lapsing into daydreams, or 2) people around you are making noise, put on headphones. Make sure it's an album you've heard so many times that you won't pay attention to it, and that it's one you're willing to listen to straight through. Use it as background only, to keep you focused. REVIEW SESSIONS: take advantage of these. Pay attention when you get there. Due to University of Texas regulations about "no review sessions during finals", they may come under an alternate name. For instance, those taking my class will be coming to "Special Office Hours". STUDY TECHNIQUES: rewriting notes is good. If you missed a day, get the notes from someone else and copy them _by hand_. Do not photocopy. Keep yourself involved by writing "study guides" for yourself and doing practice problems. Test yourself, without the book, to see what you actually know. Do practice problems. Go over homework sets. Whatever you do, DON'T just sit there and stare at it. BREAKS: try to minimize. My undergrad school (Rice) offered so many study breaks that, if you went to them all, you wouldn't study any. Take one if you need one, but try to push yourself a little farther than you think you can go, then take one. Just because a friend wants to take a break isn't an excuse for you to take your break then. Set a time limit for breaks and stick to it. I'm done with classwork and don't take finals anymore. I only give them (and it is much better to give than to receive ). But sometimes I wish I could do all that undergrad stuff over again, and I'd find a way to take more of my own advice... ------------------ Isabel,clutchcity.net lurker since 1996 All your base are belong to Heypartner.
As far as music goes, I avoid the music with words because I end up just listening to that. I always listen to some classical music, it helps me concentrate. The only composer I've listened to this semester is Holst with "The Planets", that always helps me... ------------------ Saturday, Donny, is shabbas, the Jewish day of rest. That means I don't work, I don't drive a car, I don't f***** ride in a car, I don't handle money, I don't turn on the oven, and I sure as s*** don't f****** roll! [This message has been edited by Band Geek Mobster (edited May 08, 2001).]
My "studying" for finals always seemed to consist of painting. No, not for painting class (there are no finals in studio), but for any class. Why study when painting is more soothing? Ahh...those were the days! ------------------ Whitey will pay.
gr8-1, Are you really getting all of us suckers here at the CCBBS to answer your take home final questions for you? LOL ------------------ You can't stick a porcupine in a barn, light it on fire, and expect to get licorice.
oh, that one hurt man. I don't know what you are implying. I'm just asking for suggestions is all. I'm trying to make conversation, that's it. Don't you feel sorry for me man ?!?!? ------------------ "norm, would you like to buy an indian scalp ? This deal isn't gonna make or break me Norm, so don't jerk me around." Harry Carey "Norm, if I had a mohawk scalp, I wouldn't be sitting here talking to you."
No lie. I bet one of the questions is "how can I find my kitty - he's hiding from me". ------------------ NBA Draft Lottery is May 20th. Start praying now.
That's not true guys. He's lying. ------------------ "norm, would you like to buy an indian scalp ? This deal isn't gonna make or break me Norm, so don't jerk me around." Harry Carey "Norm, if I had a mohawk scalp, I wouldn't be sitting here talking to you."
Well this is great, the prof in my DISC class put a review for the Final up on her webpage. I've checked the site a few times in the past week and saw it sitting there and didn't actually read it or anything knowing I could go over it tonight. Well the damn page isn't loading anymore, so I'm going to spend the whole night clicking on my link hoping it will appear once again. ------------------ Saturday, Donny, is shabbas, the Jewish day of rest. That means I don't work, I don't drive a car, I don't f***** ride in a car, I don't handle money, I don't turn on the oven, and I sure as s*** don't f****** roll!
