Reflection 3: Test taking

                    I had taken hundreds of tests over the years; However, I got nervous every time an exam is placed in front of me .I admit there have been times when I have gone a test situation unprepared, but usually, I have at least done a little studying to get ready .Still, whether I prepared or not, as soon as the test start, I got jittery, my mind goes blank, and eventually, I run out of time.

I used to feel really stress before taking a test, I couldn’t concentrate on anything .I had to visit a doctor, but eventually, he didn’t help me a lot because he tried to have many sessions, and I didn’t feel comfortable with him .Fortunately, this unit helped me a lot to have less chances to lose points.

                   First, I started this process by taking a moment to think about my testing experiences .Specifically, I examined how I prepared and when I prepared, along  with what worked and what did not work .I did this because I wanted to identify practices I may wanted to continue, and practices it was time to eliminate .My first bad experience with the test taking was in the 6th grade .I had a French test and the day of the test, I started fidgeting, and I studied for three hours .But when I went to the exam, I couldn’t focus on anything and I  barely remembered some information .I couldn’t control my ‘Anxiety’ , and this is another important thing that I learnt from this unit .In this unit, they suggest some very interesting tips to manage the anxiety before and during the test ;For example, I keep reminding myself that my entire future doesn’t depend on that exam, there will be other exams and other courses. I also study and do additional homework problems .Another tip to get away of my anxiety is practicing test-taking strategies ,I bounce around then I start with the simplest question .My friend thinks that this tip is useless but somehow it helps me with building self-confidence .

Next, I followed some suggestions that helped me to maximize the hours of study time that I have invested; For instance, I made sure I’m getting a restful night’s sleep and I’m having a great meal, I also made sure to bring everything I needed for the exam .These kinds of preparations are what I liked the most about this unit, since they are very specific and useful.

The last step of this taking test process is the test performance .A good preparation for the test won’t be enough to take a test well; effective test preparation can be hampered by inefficient behaviors during the test, such as not reviewing the entire exam before writing anything, or getting distracted by many things like noisy students and open windows.

                     I think that this unit is strongly related to the ‘Time management’ unit, because you need to be organized in order to skip the stress on the test day .Finally, I learnt some very useful tips to take a test well, and now I can move to a higher level of competence and success.

Lamine Hajar

FAS 1203

Professor Al Hassani Aziz     

04/03/2014    

                                                Reflection 2: Note taking

For many years, I’ve never had to take any notes during classes, our teachers used to give us  all the information we needed at the end of the course, but once I came to this university I realized how much it is important to take notes because it helps recording my understanding of the ideas and concepts discussed in class for future uses such as essay writing, preparing to read, and studying for examinations and tests .However taking notes can be complicated especially if you are not used to it because you get confused between writing and listening to your professor .

I personally had this problem in the past and I couldn’t do both things at the same time; so at the end of the lecture, I miss a lot of information that was given by the professor .After reviewing this unit, I’m now able to take notes and organize them.

The most important thing in taking notes is to make them simple and constant for you .This note taking strategy is very helpful and useful .The first thing I did is to listen and prepare for the lecture topic and I also listened to the main ideas instead of writing everything down, I started paying attention to the summery and to the most important information, then I wrote it down in my own words  .The next thing is that I  learnt to talk to my professors and my classmates if I had any ideas. By the end of every lecture I summarized and reviewed my notes then I identified any problems I needed to ask about .I mostly focus on the important terms and new concepts of the topic .

After following these steps I moved to use different methods of taking note in order to reach the best methods for me .I started with the Cornell method dividing my papers on three parts, I used the left cone for the main idea and the right cone for the details and a section at the bottom for writing a summary after the lecture .Well, this method didn’t fit me because it took me a lot of time to draw and to classify; however, it’s my professor favorite method. Next, I tried the outline method and it’s similar to the way that many lectures are organized and this one is very useful at showing major points and supporting ideas but it still takes me a lot of time .The last but not least way of method is T-notes which is useful in some classes such math and accounting, etc. T-notes involves dividing a sheet of paper, and writing the formulas and terms in the left side, while writing the definitions and evidence on the right side .This one have worked the best for me since I find it to be very easy and useful.

Recording my notes was just the first step, it’s also important to reduce them and summarize them in one’s own words .I also learnt that reciting the information out loud can help me retain information .Finally, I learnt to review my notes the same day of class then summarize these notes for exam time .Thanks to the workshop on note taking skills I’m getting better in my studies than ever before. 

Reflection1 : time management and goals setting.

  

         Generally, people think that setting goals is one of the main raison to success and I

agree but making plans to achieve yours goals is the most important part of this process.

After reviewing this unit I asked myself some questions as “why do I need goals?” and

even more  ,I wonder how much questions I missed .Next, I try to get away from

becoming discouraged so I took a  pen and a paper and I writed down some questions

related to my goals in life, then I classified my goals into four sections : -Personal goals –

Academic goals –Career goals and community goals .What I mean by this is my physical,

emotional, professional and spiritual goals .After reviewing this goals setting unit I

improved a lot and I started taking decisions more serious than ever before .I ‘am now  

able to manage my stress whether it is a distress which is consider as a bad one like

when I’m having a bad grade and I have a lot of pressure so I can’t handle with it ,or a

eustress,  which is a positive one ;the one that you have before showing up in front of

audience or family .In order to move from this stress I need to pay intention to my body

and far away from unhealthy ways of relaxing and reducing stress.

         For the time management unit ,I learnt some tricks like writing a schedule that

provides my day ,I also planned to put a calendar in my room which contain all the

information’s and events that I should prepare for .What I disagree with in this unit is

ranking tasks in order of importance because it can make you a lazy person and you will

start procrastinating some obligations just because it is not important as others.

However, the advices in this chapter are very useful and helpful specially because they

are already studied and experienced and somehow I learnt some new words and terms

as procrastination, locus of control, huge outrageous goals .There is no doubt that this

unit helped me and my classmates in several things.