Mid-term exams are coming soon. This one will be third time for me since this session is my third session. I usually study hard before exams in my university because I have to memorize many things, and If I do so, I can get a high score in the exams. In the case of the ELI exams, however, it is different from these exams in my university. I think I have nothing special to study or memorize since English skills don't improve in a short time; yet, I learned several things what I should do before the exams through last two sessions: review and relaxation.
First of all, I review textbook and what I did in the class; for example, I review different kinds of essay structures, models, and signal words. Since I don't study new things, this review is very helpful to put the ideas in order. I sometimes do this review with my friends, so we can talk what kind of sentence structures we can use, and we can come up with new ideas.
Second, I don't study so much. I have many assignments about one or two weeks before the exams, so I'm always stressed out and tired before the exams; therefore, I don't study hard on the weekend before the exams. I just take it easy or hang out with friends, but that helps me to do well in the exams. I try not to feel pressure and nervous.
In conclusion, I do study at the very least before the exams. If I try to learn new things, I will be confused and I can't do well in the exams. Don't feel guilty to hang out with friends. To be healthy and get up early are the most important on the exam days since the exams start at 8:30. Bring my clear and lively brain is the only one I can do to get good score :)
I totally agree with you that we don't have much to study since the tests are about our broad skill of english, not memorizing things! This is my first exam and I was a bit nervous, and thank you for great advice. I will relax :)!
ReplyDeleteWow! very well-organized!!!!
ReplyDeleteMomoko, I also agree that cramming before a test is generally not very useful. I remember a study was done some time ago that compared the performance of students who stayed up until the middle of the night cramming with the performance of other students who went to bed early before an exam. The ones who went to bed early outscored the other group! I always say to my students the day before an exam, "if you haven't learned the material in the last X # of weeks, you won't learn it tonight, so go to bed early and get some sleep!"
ReplyDelete