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CRAMMING
(how to do it even though you shouldn't)
Cramming is NOT the same as learning. When you cram, you're cheating yourself and won't remember what you cram. Cramming is also more work; it takes longer to learn material when you do it under pressure. You can't save time by cramming. The purpose of cramming is only to make the best of the situation or to get by in a course so you can do better next time.
- Make Choices - Don't try to learn it all when cramming: you can't. Choose a few important things you want to know. Spend 25 percent of your cramming time learning new material and 75 percent drilling yourself on that material.
- Make a plan - In the middle of the night, your mind might begin to wander to "non-study related" topics. FOCUS. Choose what you want to study, determine how much time you have, and set deadlines for yourself. Don't give in to panic and just jump right in. Making a plan can save you time and allow you to work faster.
- Use flashcards, mnemonics or songs (if you have to) - Condense the material and put it on note cards. Use the cards to drill yourself. The mnemonics and songs are there to help keep you awake and keep the material interesting.
- Recite, recite, recite - The key to cramming is repetitive recitation. Reciting can really help to burn facts into your brain. You can also tape record yourself while you recite, then play it back when you're running errands on campus or working out (a great time-saving technique). Repeat the material out loud until you can recall it.
- Relax - (This word comes up alot) Since you don't learn well when you carm, you might freeze and forget the material under the pressure of an exam. Use relaxation techniques to reduce test anxiety, both before and during the test.
- Don't "should" on yourself - If you start your cramming session with "I should have studied earlier" and "I should have gone to class this semester", you might feel guilty or overwhelmed by the time you open your book. Try telling yourself it would have been more effective to study earlier and more often, and remind yourself you'll have an oppurtunity to do that next time.
- Adapted from the Learning Resource Center, Student Life, Arizona State University
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