So, what to do at this point? Study….. TOGETHER.
Sometimes we need cheerleaders in our corner to
release some ot the stress of test-taking. Whether it's comic relief or just
being in each other's intellectual company, we need support. Besides, unless
you were absent most of the school year or just not paying attention in class,
you shouldn’t have much to worry about. Actually, at this point in the ‘game’,
you should really be reviewing…not
cramming, or doing intense studying.
Here are a few tips to
ease the anxiety of taking your finals or Regents exams:
♪Study Together – at least a few times. Everyone could use a cheerleader in their
corner. Plus, it helps to hear the insight from others who are doing well in
the subject you are studying. Go to a park, Star Bucks®, someone’s home and
have ice tea (no not the alcohol version!), review
and enjoy your company!♪Surf The 'Net – I tutor students in my spare time and I can’t tell you how helpful AND fun it is to research a topic on the internet, especially when the student and I come across videos that explain the subject better. Example: Need a refresher on graphing quadratic equations? Click here for video! http://www.mathtv.com/videos_by_topic Check out this link on cloning and learn about other cellular activity! http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/videos/biology/cloning.html
♪Attack! - embrace the challenge.
YOU take the test, don't let it "take you"! Now of course you’re going to
experience ‘butterflies’ which is great because it humbles you and makes you
want to bring your A game. So IF you completed all of your assignments and have
been performing well (80’s and above) on chapter tests, quizzes, etc. and you
participated in class, you shouldn’t have much to worry about. The finals are a
culmination of what you were taught (hopefully) and learned (hopefully) during
the school year. Were you paying attention?
♪Set A Score Goal – and visualize that
score on your exams. Be realistic, though. For most of high school I was on the
honor roll (except in math even though I loved it. I was good in algebra;
geometry was another story). So, I had set a score goal of 85 and above in all
regents classes and performed well, except for geometry. I had set a goal of
about 70/75. I got a circle-65 (a 65 with a circle around it). This means I
passed by a 'breath'. I had attended my teacher's extra study session (which I
highly recommend as you will see below) where he drilled us on the
formulas/theorems of geometric figures. One of the problems was on the test, I
believe it was a triangle, and I knew exactly how to solve the problem. To this
day, though, I feel I could've aimed higher, like an 85!
♪Special Study Periods or Sessions With Teachers – GO! Look, most (great) teachers could give a
‘rat’s tail’ about whether or not you like them. They just want you to excel.
So when your teacher/s offer extra study sessions, GO! Besides, if you do like
your teachers, why not spend the extra time with them?
Ace the finals.....together.
Teen Task:
1. Give yourself a
chance. 2.
Discuss this blog
with your parents or with those you feel safe sharing your thoughts. ~ Quelyn, Author of Validation Denied Grace Bestowed
FOR APPEARANCES, BOOK SIGNINGS & TALKS
CONTACT:
Validation Denied Grace
Bestowed is available at
iUniverse.com,
(812)330-2909 or (800) 288-4677
….and bookstores
everywhere!
Copyright©2012 Quelyn Purdie
