How to study for an exam: advice for adult
learners
At present, there are quite taken and shown by evidence
that studying is not only things children and youth. Any age is good for
improving training and, as a person coming true year is closer to intellectual
fulfillment and maximum creativity. When an adult decides to resume formal
education will face the challenge of exams. A drink that for some adults may
have an added difficulty having lost the habit of memorizing and lack of time
for their further obligations to the study, as work and / or family.
Techniques for achieving success in exams
Working on own notes with underlining, concept mapping and
other techniques
With a simple search on Google or using specialized
websites we can find summaries and outlines of all disciplines at all levels.
It is a quick and easy option, but we must not be tempted to abuse this
information, since synthesis activities effectively lose a lot when they are
not performed by oneself. Therefore, the ideal is:
Study and work on the notes themselves.
A good way to approach the subjects of the tests is to make
a comprehensive first reading of the texts and then highlight the most
important.
Summarizing, ie synthesize the highlight with our own words
and remember more easily.
The key is to summarize the full content but leave out any
key or important data.
Create mind maps
Visual diagrams, mind maps or conceptual type maps are very
effective in summarizing content, organize our own ideas and review them at a
glance whenever we want.
Using flashcards
Study sheets are very useful to assimilate specific
information, dates, numbers, or vocabulary. Therefore, they are particularly
suitable for subjects like history, chemistry and geography. The study chips
become rote in a fun process and are very effective at reviewing. They can be
made with the classic method of writing on small rectangles of paper or
cardboard or software.
Exercises or case studies
Sometimes it is hard to grasp the theory of some fields of
study. However, exercises and case studies can help us visualize the
theoretical or abstract concepts as they assimilate knowledge more easily and
see their practical use in our daily lives, an issue particularly appreciated
by adult students. This technique is very useful in subjects like mathematics,
physics or law.
Brainstorming
Brainstorming is a meeting of a group of people who make a
brainstorm about a particular topic. Although it is more related to the world
of work, brainstorming can be especially useful when doing group work in order
to consider different ideas and perspectives as well in examinations, in order
to answer questions and get to the bottom of the matter.
Mnemonics rules
Some adults complain that they no longer have the memory of
when they were younger. A possible solution to this difficulty may be the
mnemonics, especially helpful in memorizing lists and sets. The rules work mnemonic
basically associating concepts, words or phrases that we have to memorize with
others that are more familiar to us.
Planning and organizing the Study
One of the most effective study skills but often overlooked
is simply to optimize our time through a rational organization of the study.
Basically it is to develop a single calendar with pragmatic and realistic
criteria, in which time we can devote to study and what will work in every
moment detail.
