Exam Cram

   It's that time of year again when all the little boys and girls stay up late and cram for the exams that they seem to have forgotten about yet again. Twice every year these horribly long tests find out just how much information the students actually retained. Most of planet Earth, and I both dread this time of year, but it really isn't too bad if you're prepared. Seeing as they come around the same time every year they can't exactly catch us off guard, so students have no excuse for being unprepared.

   What I like to start doing around a month before exams is briefly summarize my courses. For chemistry I separated my notes into Definitions, Concepts, Equations, and People. From there I separated it further into the different units. It takes time to make these kind of notes, but it isn't too difficult. All you have to do is re-read your notes and write down whatever you find unclear in your own words. This is a one person study method, but some people prefer to work in groups so what do they do.

    Flashcards can be a fun, fast way to study with friends, but if you're willing to put some effort in Jeopardy is far more fun. Here is a quick tutorial on how to make a game board on Power point. Corresponding pictures are shown below the steps.

     Step 1) When you first open PowerPoint there should be a toolbar along the top of the screen. Click on the insert tab and from there click on insert table (highlighted) and add however many rows and columns as you need categories and questions.

     Step 2) Add categories, by left clicking on a cell, across the top and point value below so points can be counted. (Whoever gets the question right gets the points, for those of you who haven't watched Jeopardy)

     Step 3) Right click on cell and scroll down to add hyperlink. (I can't seem to get a picture of this)

     Step 4) Click place in this document and choose slide with the question that corresponds to the original box that you right clicked on.

     Step 5) Insert a slide under the home tab (This step should have probably been second) after the question with the answer to the question written.

     Step 6) Continue Step 3-5 for all of the other cells in the graph. After you have finished Save(Highlighted) and play the PowerPoint for your friends by clicking from the beginning (Highlighted) in the toolbar under Slideshow.

     For an extra added touch try adding music under the insert audio (you can see this in the Step 1 picture).

Now for the picture tutorial:

 

    As much as studying is important I think the most important thing is to stay calm and don't stress yourself out too much. As my mom says, "If you overwork your brain you won't retain the information". Plus if you are stressed during the exam you will end up changing your answers which usually leads to more wrongs answers than right ones. To calm yourself during an exam try sucking on candy. Also people say do the easy questions first, I think the opposite should be done. Start with the difficult ones until they are starting to stress you out then switch to easy ones for a bit of a break. I know this strategy works for me, but it may not work for you.

   All you can do is try your best. Study hard, keep calm and you should be fine for whatever exam comes your way. Good luck!

Business

This is Thursday's post. I owe you eight posts, and there is a strong possibility there will not be a post tomorrow. Before you post a blog entry you can add a location. Just to be weird I tried to say I was in the middle of the Pacific ocean, but it wouldn't let me. I'm a little disappointed.

Fun Stuff

I love having parties for the weirdest things. When my 19th birthday comes around I am planning on having a B.Y.O.L party. You have to bring something that starts with an L. I know some friends will bring liquor, but seeing as my friends are super nerds, I bet most will bring light sabers.