One of the most important aspects of studying is sleep. The more rested you are, the easier studying will come. Don’t stay up all night to cram! It’s doing
more harm than good.
Credit:@legaledgeBHopal
The library is full, the sound of students reiterating formulas and notes can be heard around the campus as students get in last minute revisions. This can only mean one thing; it’s exam time! Whether it be a class exam, a midterm exam or final exam, students should buckle up and prepare themselves for late nights, early mornings, and finding places and ways to study and revise effectively.
Studying can be hectic, and for some, it can be humdrum. Therefore it’s vital that one be educated about their learning style/s which can assist them in studying efficiently in a way that best suits their learning. According to The American River College, there are three types of learners, Auditory (Oral, Interactive), Physical (Kinesthetic, Tactile) and Visual.
Firstly, auditory learners process information aloud. For instance, these individuals ask questions and answer them by using their voice. They make use of discussing information aloud with others in a conversational tone to gain an understanding of the material being studied. This type of learner makes use of the teaching method where they seek individuals who are unfamiliar with the topic they learned, and play a teacher-student role, telling stories so they may be able to retain information and comprehend it effectively. Saint Leo University is a highly technological institution. Therefore an individual who’s an auditory learner might love to study on the second floor of Kirk Hall. This area is a chill spot that makes the mood of studying a conversational one. It’s a spot that lessens the tension of studying and makes you feel comfortable with friends and classmates where discussions can take place. This area of Kirk Hall has round tables and whiteboards that also enhance learning for the auditory learner. Moreover, since the auditory learner must speak aloud to retain information and study, this is a great area because it is assigned to students in a fair number of groups.
At Saint Leo University, an ideal location for a tactile learner to study would be a building such as Lewis Hall, Kirk Hall, or The School of Business. Lewis Hall would be beneficial to students majoring in Biology and Science because of the numerous 3-D learning supplies that is found in the building. For example, the 3-D human body located in one of the biology labs in Lewis Hall. Additionally, for other majors, Kirk Hall and The School of Business are filled with smart boards that a student can draw graphs on and have some form of touching involved while learning or studying a concept.
Lastly, visual learners are individuals who learn and study best with drawings and pictures in color-coded notes, for instance, the use of highlighters or multi-colored pens. An ideal place at Saint Leo University that a visual learner can make use of is one of the numerous spots outside with benches. For example, near the waterfall statue in the middle of St. Ed’s Hall and The School of Business or the second floor of the library which has a great view of the Bowl. Visual learners can associate words and concepts with colors they see in nature. Additionally, the library would be an ideal place for visual learners to study because they don’t need noise to study, but require a quiet place away from distractions.
Some scholars of Saint Leo University were interviewed and shared how they effectively prepare themselves for exams and tests. Miss Ashley Charlier, a sophomore who’s a bio-med and health sciences major, stated that she writes notes from every class and attempts to study those notes the same day she receives them. She also said that she would sometimes begin to study early for tests and practice problems and concepts that correspond to the topic. Steven Santora, a sophomore who’s majoring in health care management, stated that he spends about 3-6 hours outside of class preparing and reviewing the material with 15 minutes between his 50-60 minute sessions. He also added that he would consistently study the material. He makes tons of diagrams for theories and uses quizlet flashcards for analyzing definitions. Steven also makes use of group studying where he studies with one or two people after he has reviewed the concepts by himself because it helps him to grasp the concepts that he doesn’t fully understand.
Additionally, Michelle Thurston, a senior, tourism management student stated that she writes down every homework assignment in her planner. When she’s making preparations to study, she will select which subject is the most difficult, and will study three days in advance for it. She states that this has been working flawlessly for her since her first semester at Saint Leo. She also added that she was an individual who used to panic on tests and exams days, but now she takes deep breaths before studying and beginning a test or exam. Additionally, she stated that before reviewing she would watch a movie and during studying she would periodically take a 10-15 minute break.
Moreover, studying for exams and tests can be stressful, and for some individuals, it can lead to test and exam anxiety. Saint Leo University’s Counseling Department plays a significant role in calming students and giving them advice when tests, midterms, and finals are upcoming and in process. Krista Jones, the assistant director of the Counseling Department, stated that it’s always a pleasure to give students advice when tests and exams are in process. She stated that students should take precautions from the beginning of the semester by getting the eight-hour required rest, eating healthy, exercising, and completing homework assignments promptly. She advises students to revise notes and concepts the same day they receive them. Miss Jones added that one stress-relieving technique that students could take are deep breathing techniques. These techniques are cost-effective because they can be done anywhere and can relieve anxiety. She stated that the Counseling Services department has a lounge with a tv that plays non-stop relaxation music and students are more than welcome to come in and relax. However, some individuals respond well to pets, and this too can be a stress-free activity that relieves anxiety. Miss Jones advertised the Counseling Services Department event called Puppies and Pizza that seeks to alleviate students of exam anxiety and allows them to pet puppies and eat pizza to keep them calm when the exam season comes around.
Saint Leo offers a myriad of ways to relieve stress as well as offering everything the school can to help students excel on their exams. Now get out there and succeed!
