What Good Test Takers Do

One of the most worrisome parts of taking a class is getting through exams with a good grade. But no need to fear! Here are 7 great tips to being a better test taker.

Test day is not the day to arrive to class right as it start. 

Get to class a bit earlier to give yourself time to look over last minute material or sit and relax to calm your nerves. Sometimes professors will ask for any last minute questions before class starts or even give you hints!

Do a memory dump

Right when you get the test, write down important things you know you need to remember like equations, a chart, an important acronym, or anything else you remember now but might forget as you work through the test.

Your gut answer is usually right

Take time to analyze the question, but your first instinct to the answer is probably correct. When you review your answers at the end (which you should leave time for) use that time to be sure you answered everything and double check the questions you struggled with. Do not use that time to go through and change a lot of answers.

Circle the answer on the actual exam along with the bubble on the scantron

One of the most common problems with multiple choice exams is accidentally skipping a question and getting off on your numbers. A great way to help with this is to circle your answers on the actual exam, if the professor allows you to write on it, and then fill in the bubble on the scantron. That way if you get off you do not have to try to work through every question all over again!

Watch your time, and come back if need be

Watch the clock throughout the exam and have an idea of how far you should be at a certain time. If one question is really stumping you, circle the number and come back to it later. Better to have guessed on one answer than have to guess on five at the end because you didn’t have enough time.

You don’t have to complete the exam in order

If you know how to do a particular kind of problem, go to that place and get it done right away. If you are worried you won’t have time to complete the essays with the quality you would like, do them first and come back to multiple choice afterwards. The exam is yours to conquer however you choose.

Keep a positive attitude!

Do not doubt yourself halfway through! Don’t let difficult questions discourage you or get you frustrated. Tell yourself you can do it and complain about the hard ones to your friends once the test is over. You got this!

Author: Stephanie is a junior majoring in Psychology with an emphasis in Mental Health. After graduation in May 2019, she plans on attending graduate school to study School Psychology.

Why Should I Talk to My Professors?

Students often see professors as unrelatable, prestigious robots. Surprise, they’re people too! They have families, watch Parks and Rec, and even trip up the stairs sometimes. 

That’s what office hours are for!

Professors have office hours because it’s a part of their job, but more importantly, because they want to meet you. Go to your professor’s office hours near the beginning of the semester to talk about class content, your major, or their research. The sooner you start to form a relationship with your professors, the better! Then if you get confused in class or need help with an assignment, it will be easier to ask for help.

They’re in the loop!

Individualized learning opportunities are some of the most valuable learning experiences in college, but sometimes they’re hard to find. Professors are the first to know about internships, research assistantships, and teaching assistantships. By talking to your professors about your goals, they can help connect you to opportunities that are right for you.

They have connections!

Deciding what to do after school is tough. Your professors can help! They can give you information and resources about potential jobs or graduate programs. Whether you decide to go to apply for a job or a graduate program, you’ll need references. Professors can’t write you a letter of recommendation if they don’t know you!

Get to know your professors early in your college career. They want you to be successful and they’ll help you along the way.

Read more here about how to be professional and respectful to your professors: https://www.noodle.com/articles/how-to-talk-to-a-professor-explained-by-a-professo

The 3 Reasons Why Taking Notes During Advising Sessions is So Important and 3 Suggestions for How to Take Good Notes!

Why Taking Notes is so Important!

1. Taking notes during advising sessions makes it possible to remember what happened.
   It’s hard to remember all of the things that go on during your advising session. Taking notes helps you to keep track of everything that you discussed with your advisor. If you forget what happens, you can always refer back to your notes!

2. Taking notes helps you to stay focused.

Taking notes helps you to focus on the key points that you cover in your advising session. They help you to pinpoint the important things and helps you to prioritize your tasks.

3. Taking notes can help you to keep track of the questions you asked your advisor and may help you develop new questions you have for your advisor that you can ask them at your next advising appointment.

If your advisor helps you to find a solution to a question you asked and that same question arises in the future, you can always refer back to your notes to try to resolve your question on your own. Also, as your advisor answers the questions you have, more questions may arise. You can then make notes of the specific questions you want to ask your advisor at your next advising appointment, to make sure you can continue to progress in the tasks you want to complete.

How to Take Good Notes During and Advising Appointment!

1. Use a pen and paper.

Taking your notes on pen and paper keeps your conversation with your advisor more open and personal. It can be hard to make good eye contact with a screen front of your face. Electronic devices also are more prone to causing distractions, such as notifications or the ability to open other browsers while your advisor is explaining something, and you might miss some important information that you advisor is tell you. It may be old fashioned, but pen and paper work best.

2. Just highlight the key points.

Making categories in your notes like “Classes” and “Internships” is a great way to only highlight the key points. It’s impossible to write down everything single thing you and your advisor talk about at your appointment, but keeping track of the key points will help you to have a solid list of your questions that were answered and the tasks you developed from your appointment.

3. Learn shorthand.

It can be tough to write everything out word for word at your advising appointment. Learning how to use shorthand, such as w/ means with, helps you to get more information on the paper at a quicker pace. Having a legend of all of your shorthand and what it means may be very helpful when you look back at your notes, so you can understand what you wrote.

Author: Nicholas Livingston

5 Reasons to get Involved on Campus! 

UWGB offers over 100 student organizations. These range from community service based, Greek Life, Honor Societies, sports and recreational activities. Joining a club can provide skills and opportunities that transfer over to the classroom and future employment opportunities. The Psychology Department offers two clubs for students to join. Psi Chi International Honor Society and PsycHD, both of these organizations hold social events, informational meetings, and do volunteer work. Here are a few more reasons to get involved on campus! 

1. Get a break from studying: Joining a club is a productive way for students to take a break from school work. Being involved gives students the opportunity to learn and participate in something they are interested in without the pressure and obligations that come along with school work.
2. Give back to the community: Many on campus organizations provide opportunities to go out in the community and volunteer. Community service can teach students valuable skills and provide potential networking opportunities. Students can give back to the community while having fun with their peers.
3. Build your resume: Organizations and extracurricular look great on resumes, especially if they are related to your future profession. Being involved shows future employers that you were involved and invested in your undergraduate career. Employers look for people who are dedicated, responsible, and hardworking
4. Learn leadership and team building skills: Being able to effectively communicate and cooperate in a group setting is an extremely valuable skill to have. Clubs provide leadership opportunities that teach patience, time management skills, and organization. Students that are involved in clubs learn how to share their ideas and generate goals more effectively.
5. Meet new people: Meeting people on campus can be difficult. Joining a club is a fun and easy way to meet new people who have similar interests. Being part of an organization helps students feel connected to their university and peers.

Author: Anna Formella