Favorite Study Method for Exams by Karyn

Favorite Study Method for Exams by Karyn - May 2016 Scholarship Essay

My Favorite Study Method for Exams
My learning style is auditory, so cramming by reviewing notes is not very effective for me. As an A student, my grades are very important to me and exam grades are vital. Whether class exam or AP exam, I have found that attending the after-school and Saturday tutoring sessions offered at my school to be the ideal format for study. These tutoring sessions are taught by the classroom teacher with attendance optional, meaning there won’t be as many students as with a regularly scheduled class.
The lower number of classmates who attend sessions gives the teacher a better opportunity to answer questions thoroughly, going into deeper detail. And, those in attendance are there because they are like me, wanting to do great on the test, so it’s a classroom of attentive students. The teacher’s ability to go into more depth on the topic creates a greater understanding of “how” or “why” – what the material really means. If you understand cause, or purpose, you can answer most any question on an exam. This involved critical thinking, not just regurgitating useless information. This makes the class far more interesting and useful throughout life.
For me, another advantage of attending tutoring sessions is that hearing the instructor review the material provides a mental image. When I read a question, I can picture where my teacher was standing and the gestures he or she made; the comments and jokes made by classmates, etc. and I can re-create the conversation to recall the answer. By hearing the material again, it becomes an integral part of my mind where I can hit a mental “replay” button.
I would highly recommend attending tutoring sessions offered by your school or by your instructor to see if this would be helpful to you. Whether you are an A student trying to hang on to your GPA, or a D student trying to improve your GPA, there is something for everyone in these review sessions. If you like studying from notes, it’s an excellent opportunity to use your notes to add to them, refresh your memory, and make corrections. A tactile learner might also benefit from the additional time for note-taking where writing commits words to memory. Those of us who are auditory in processing information can sit in session after session always hearing, and remembering, something new.