How to Get the Most Out of Studying: Part 5 of 5, "I Blew the Exam, Now What?"

Summary

Dr. Stephen Chew offers advice to college students who have received poor grades on exams. He emphasizes the importance of avoiding panic and denial and taking immediate, positive steps to improve. Students should identify preparation issues, review exams for mistakes, consult with professors, and refine study strategies. Chew suggests committing time to effective studying, minimizing distractions, setting goals, and avoiding the temptation to neglect certain classes or assignments. He also warns against common pitfalls such as cramming, skipping classes, or giving up.

Takeaways

• 📚 Don't Panic: It's crucial to avoid panic or denial after receiving a poor exam grade, as these reactions can worsen the situation.
• 🔍 Exam Impact: Remember that a single exam usually contributes less to the final grade, providing opportunities to improve with proactive steps.
• 🤔 Self-Assessment: Honestly evaluate your study habits, time commitment, class attendance, and assignment completion to identify preparation flaws.
• 📝 Review and Reflect: Analyze your exam to understand mistakes, focusing on whether they are spread across topics or concentrated in one area.
• 👨‍🏫 Professor Consultation: Discuss your exam review and study strategies with your professor to gain insights and support.
• 📈 Strategy Evaluation: Assess the effectiveness of your study strategies, moving away from passive habits towards active, deep processing of information.
• 🛠️ Develop a Plan: Formulate a study plan that includes time commitment, minimizing distractions, attending classes, and setting realistic goals.
• 🚫 Avoid Slipping: Do not neglect other classes or assignments in an attempt to catch up, as this can lead to further academic trouble.
• 💡 Follow Instructions: Ensure you adhere to all assignment guidelines to avoid losing points due to non-compliance with directions.
• 🚫 Don't Procrastinate: Seek help early and avoid the temptation to cram or skip assignments, which can exacerbate academic challenges.
• 🌟 Sustained Effort: Developing effective study strategies requires ongoing effort and persistence, with the understanding that setbacks are part of the process.

Q & A

Who is the speaker in the video series?

The speaker is Dr. Stephen Chew, a professor of psychology at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama.

What is the main topic of the video series?

The main topic is about how to study effectively in college, with a focus on the last video addressing the situation of students who have received a poor grade on an exam.

What are the two worst reactions a student can have after receiving a poor exam grade according to Dr. Chew?

The two worst reactions are panic and going into denial.

What percentage of the final grade does Dr. Chew mention the first exam usually represents in his psychology class?

The first exam usually represents less than 20% of the final grade.

Why is it important for students to take positive steps immediately after receiving a poor grade?

It is important because with over 80% of the grade still out, there are ways to minimize the impact of the low score and improve the overall course grade if they act right away.

What should students do to identify what went wrong with their exam preparation?

Students should be honest with themselves about the thoroughness of their preparation, time commitment, class attendance, and completion of assigned work.

Why is reviewing a poorly graded exam important for students?

Reviewing the exam helps diagnose what went wrong and how to change study strategies for the next exam, understanding if mistakes were spread across topics or focused on one.

What should students do if they find they misinterpreted questions on the exam?

They should discuss with their instructor how to follow and interpret instructions correctly.

How can students improve their note-taking and reading skills based on their exam review?

If students find they lacked key information in their notes or text, they need to improve their note-taking and reading by focusing on capturing and understanding the details expected by the teacher.

What is the role of faculty in helping students who have received a poor grade?

Faculty are there to help students who are taking steps to help themselves, such as reviewing their exams and being open to different study methods. Faculty are most willing to assist students who are proactive.

What are some basic strategies students can use to improve their study habits and raise their grades?

Some strategies include committing time and effort to effective study strategies, minimizing distractions, attending class, setting realistic study goals, spacing out study time, and maximizing review time.

Why is it dangerous for students to start letting some classes or assignments slide to catch up with others?

It is dangerous because students can easily end up in trouble in both areas, and they need to find a way to perform well in all their classes without neglecting any.

What should students avoid doing after receiving a poor exam grade?

Students should avoid continuing with the same study methods and hoping for improvement, waiting until the end of the semester to seek help, skipping classes or assignments, cramming at the last minute, and giving up in panic.

What does Dr. Chew suggest is necessary for students to develop effective study strategies?

Dr. Chew suggests that developing effective study strategies requires a sustained effort, overcoming entrenched ineffective habits, and multiple attempts to find the best strategies, acknowledging there may be setbacks along the way.