We GOTCHA: Ace Finals with AA&CC

By Serena, Academic Assistant (Work Study student)

Hello my fellow students:
Final exam schedules are up!
https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/registrar/examination-schedule
Are you ready for exams?
Are you concerned about your exam preparation?
Are you worried about your academic performance?
Here comes AA&CC to help you ace your finals:
https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/aacc/test-preparation

In this blog, I will provide 3 big steps that you can take to succeed.



Step 1: The Big Plan
Before starting to open your books for review, make sure you have a good plan with you. You will need a general plan for all the exams and your commitments where time management will be essential. I always feel much more comfortable when I have my schedules with me. 

Learn more about the benefits and strategies for time management through the tip sheet below:
http://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/aacc/sites/utsc.utoronto.ca.aacc/files/tipsheets/Academic_Advising_Tipsheets/timemanagement.pdf

Drop in our office or make an appointment with our Academic Advisors and Academic & Learning Strategists for 1-1 support. Come say 'Hi' in AC213, next to the library!

Making a to-do list is a way to set your goals and will serve as a constant reminder. Since phones are usually with us, start taking advantage of the Reminder app in our phones.

However, if you prefer the old-fashioned way (like I do), write down your goals on a sheet of paper or a notebook.

Here is the Timetable Worksheet that I find very helpful to lay out my schedule.  It helps me visualize and see the big picture:
https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/aacc/sites/utsc.utoronto.ca.aacc/files/tipsheets/Academic_Advising_Tipsheets/TimeTableworksheet.pdf

Mark the date on your calendar so that you do not forget when exams are coming. It may become very stressful when finals are approaching. Marking the dates could serve as reminders for you. There was one time I almost forgot my exam, and the calendar saved my life! 

After you made yourself a nice plan for the week, start to work on what's necessary for exam preparation. Here is the Daily Task Journal that you may find useful. This includes the journal chart on the second page, where you can write your reflection at the end of the day and make progress based on you previous performance:
http://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/aacc/sites/utsc.utoronto.ca.aacc/files/tipsheets/Academic_Advising_Tipsheets/DailyTaskPlannerJournal.pdf

Step 2:  Strategies and Tips
Sign up on CLN (www.cln.utoronto.ca) today and come to our workshops for different Study Skills strategies before preparing for your finals!
You are eligible to receive a Study Skills Success Certificate after completing 4 workshops!
https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/aacc/academic-study-skills-workshops

Friendly Reminder: This coming Fall, Study Success Sessions are available on a drop-in basis every Tuesday and Thursday from 1-3pm from September 20th to November 29th in AC321. This will include tips for multiple choice and essay questions, in addition to topics such as Time Management, Memory and Concentration, Reading and Note taking. Bring textbooks, notes, syllabus and other course materials.

If you enjoy studying with others, start to make your own study groups or attend our Study Success Sessions as mentioned above:
https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/aacc/academic-advising-study-skills-appointments#peer-coach

To join a study group on campus, check your course Quercus to see if your course is supported by Facilitated Study Groups, or check the schedules on the bulletin board outside AC320:
https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/ctl/facilitated-study-groups-fsg

To build a study group yourself, ask your friends first or join Facebook Groups made for your course.
To learn more about creating an active and effective study group, McGill University has created a tip-sheet accessible here:
https://www.mcgill.ca/osd/files/osd/creating_an_effective_and_active_study_group.pdf

If you enjoy studying on your own, try Mind Mapping which helps you outline the facts (like a giant cheat sheet)! Do not include too much detail, because otherwise it is going to be overwhelming for you to review everything.

Robert W. Woodroof Library has made many resources about mind mapping available online. Learn more about mind mapping here: http://guides.main.library.emory.edu/c.php?g=50655&p=325578

Also, remember to Test yourself and receive as much help as you can. You can even try to make your own questions when you study. This is my favorite method to review the materials. It's also the most effective method for me. If you are able to catch the most important points in each chapter and turn them into questions, you are sure to be successful in your finals. Practice makes perfect! Here are some steps you can take:

1. Make a list of key terms
2. Create multiple choice questions based on the definitions
3. Make true-or-false or fill-in-blanks questions for the materials you need to know
4. For the most important materials, try to explain the terms with some examples and short answer questions

Step 3: Take your confidence with you. Believe in yourself!

BUT, always remember to treat yourselves, eat well and sleep well. DO NOT Stress yourself too much. If you need any support, stop by the Health and Wellness Center on the second floor of Student Center (https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/hwc/health-wellness-centre).

For more information about academic resources that may assist you with different subjects, check this out:  https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/aacc/build-your-study-skills

I hope the tips I have provided will help you succeed during this exam period (and future ones too)!

Good luck!

Wishing you the best,
Serena Jingrui Gu

Reference:
https://image.shutterstock.com/z/stock-photo-happy-student-raising-hand-with-books-on-the-table-and-grade-a-plus-on-the-blackboard-461604010.jpg
https://www.mcgill.ca/osd/files/osd/creating_an_effective_and_active_study_group.pdf
http://guides.main.library.emory.edu/c.php?g=50655&p=325578