Welcome back, Missouri State Bears! I hope you’ve had a great start to the semester. Now that you’ve got a few weeks under your belt, you might be facing your first exam or quiz. It can feel a little intimidating, but don’t worry—I’ve got some advice to help you study effectively and improve for the next one! When preparing for an exam or quiz, remember to approach it with a growth mindset. Every step forward, even if it’s small, means you’re improving. The knowledge you gain now will help you become an even better student in the long run! 

Studying Preparation

Be sure to set aside enough time to prepare for your next exam! This looks different for everyone, but it’s important to avoid cramming. Breaking up your study time into manageable chunks will help you retain more information and reduce stress. The Center for Learning and Writing (Bear CLAW) is a fantastic resource to support your studying! It’s a free tutoring service available to students by appointment or during drop-in hours. Tutors are available on a wide range of subjects, including Science, Math, and English. They’re students helping students, which creates a more relaxed and informal environment. In addition to 1:1 tutoring sessions, they offer a Presentation Center and Writing Center to assist with specific needs.

If you prefer studying in a group, consider forming a study group to help reinforce your understanding of the material. Study groups can be a great way to tackle difficult topics, as your peers might explain things in ways that make more sense to you. Plus, they’re great for building confidence and support as you prepare for your exam!

After the Exam 

After you take your exam, take a moment to be proud of yourself for completing it! Now you have valuable insight into how your professor administers exams and the types of content they focus on. This information will help you better prepare for future exams. If you’re still unclear about any of the material, don’t hesitate to reach out to your professors and attend their office hours. They can offer advice for your next exam and may even be willing to go over your exam with you. Missouri State is lucky to have professors who genuinely care about helping students succeed.

Takeaways

When you receive your exam results, don’t be discouraged if the outcome isn’t what you were hoping for. There’s always room for improvement, and you can continue working toward your goals. As you do, consider meeting with a success coach or peer mentor. They can offer academic tips, support, and guidance on other topics as well. Also, remember to tailor your studying habits to what works best for you. There are plenty of people and resources here to help you succeed.

For more tips and information, take a look at our other posts that talk about exams. 

I hope you all have a great academic semester, and Go Bears!

~Melyssa  

(Bio: My name is Melyssa Hernandez, and I am a senior studying psychology. Fun fact: I am an out-of-state student from Chicago, Illinois)