Making a study guide is a great approach to increasing your knowledge and retention of exam material, which should translate to better performance on the exam.
Your notes from class are just part of what makes up your study guide. It’s a study aid that can be tailored to your needs and preferences, helping you make the most of your study time.
Learn how to make a study guide that will help you retain more information for your next test.
1. Create A Visual Abstract
A graphical abstract is a visual representation of the topics you want to cover and how they relate to one another. It can be as simple as a series of boxes and arrows or more complex with images and other graphics.
The key is to include all the major topics you want to cover on the exam and how they relate. It can be especially helpful if you are reviewing many topics, as it can be difficult to keep all the information straight in your head.
A visual representation can help you better organize the topics you want to study and ensure you don’t miss anything important.
2. Choose The Topics You’re Going to Study
After you have produced a visual representation of the subjects you want to review, you will be able to place each subject in the appropriate part of your study guide.
In addition, you may create a distinct tab or section for terminology and meanings that are important to understand.
You may begin each part with a basic overview of the subject matter and then go into more detailed facts that are connected to the subject matter. Incorporating examples or diagrams pertinent to the subject matter is another excellent strategy.
3. Make A List of Terms to Learn and Definitions to Know
Making a list of essential phrases and the meanings of various terms is a wonderful method to ensure that you fully understand the terminology on the test.
Examine the vocabulary list and the examples you were given in the package accompanying the test.
It will help you the most. You may also look for additional terms connected to a certain concept by using a thesaurus accessible online. Because there is more information to be associated with the phrase might make it easier for you to remember the terms and meanings.
4. Review Your Class Notes for Each Topic
You should now be able to go back and examine the precise details of each subject now that you have an overall understanding of each section and its contents. Your notes from class are going to be useful at this point.
You are free to browse over your notes for each subject, underlining any essential ideas, words, or diagrams relevant to that topic. You also have the option of typing up your notes, which, if you are busy and strapped for time, might prove to be beneficial.
In addition, typing up your handwritten notes is an excellent method to transfer them from a notebook to a computer, where they will be more convenient for you to access. If you want to study for several weeks in advance, this may be of particular use to you.
5. Take Practice Exam
The most accurate method of determining how far along you are in the preparation process is to administer a practice exam. In addition, it is a very useful instrument for identifying the specific aspects of the subject matter in which more study is necessary.
Taking mock tests may also help assess whether or not you have any knowledge gaps or misconceptions that need to be addressed.
Suppose you come across a topic for which you do not know the necessary replies or have questions about particular terminology. In that case, it is time to go back to your previous notes and readings to do more research and acquire new information.
A great study guide will include all the information you need to succeed on the exam, whether you need to prepare for a final exam or a midterm. Be sure to include all the topics you need to know and important terms and definitions related to those topics.
A study guide is a helpful strategy to organize your study time and prepare for your next exam.
