Studying for success in a course can be tricky, especially in the Summer when time is short.

Persons have different learning abilities and hence there is no one approach that is guaranteed to work for all students when preparing for examinations.  Here are ten issues to consider when deciding on a strategy for success.  Note, these are not listed in any order of importance and level of effectiveness.

Issue No. 1

Passing a course and learning the content of the course are two distinct concerns that need to be understood and worked at.  Understand that to fail an examination does not mean that you do not know a lot about the course; you have only failed to show how much you know.  By the same measure, passing a course does not mean that you know a lot about the subject; you only knew what the teacher wanted you to know for the exams.  Do not be misled about your exam results.

Issue No. 2

Purchasing textbooks is a good idea.  A textbook is not only useful while you are doing a course, but even after the course is completed.  If, for example, you passed the course by knowing what the teacher wanted you may still need to revisit your textbook for a higher level course that you are doing or you may need the information for a real life situation at work.  Of course the internet is good in many ways, but many times to get bona fide information you have to purchase it online anyway.  A good textbook tends to be very in-depth and could greatly simplify your search for information.

Issue No. 3

Consider taping the class.  As long as there are no issues in doing so with the lecturer, tape the class session so you’ll be able to go over certain aspects of the class for your benefit. 

Issue No. 4

Attend all classes.  Everything that a teacher says is critical to the outcome of the course.  Take nothing for granted and always be at your classes, because while you may get a recording of the class, you may not be able to ask the teacher questions for thinks you are unclear about.  Remember too that a certain number of absences can adversely affect your final grade for a course.

Issue No. 5

Pay keen attention in class.  Not only must you be in class, but you must pay keen attention – that’s the way to learn the teacher, because you’ll know what is deemed important in the chapter being discussed, as well as what is important to the teacher.  You will also improve your chances of refining your appreciation of practical applicability of the course. You’ll also know the critical questions to ask when you are paying attention.

Issue No. 6

Listen out for certain key words and phrases.  Some key words include, critical, paramount, essential, only, the most important, other, and but.  These words or the phrase are usually associated with the examinable aspects of a course – as far as the teacher is concerned.  Be sure to grasp them in the application context of the course.

Issue No. 7

Revise immediately after class.  An old adage is that you should hit the iron while it is hot.  Another one is to make hay while the sun shines.  When things are fresh in your head it’s good to go for concretization of concepts at that stage.  Later, revision is a lot simpler.

Issue No. 8

Prepare for each class as if you are the teacher.  The mind-set that you approach a class with is most essential. Think like a student, who’s not supposed to know, and you won’t; think like a teacher who’s supposed to know and you will.

Issue No. 9

Learn the teacher. For the student who knows a lot of content but still ends up with a failing grade, there was an obvious imbalance between know the content and learning the teacher.  Sometimes the teacher and the content are worlds apart.  Look out for the first exam to see whether it reflects class discussions or textbook content.  Refine your approach after the first exam.  Remember that while you need to know your content, you must also know your teacher – at least till the course is over.

Issue No. 10

Before starting a course develop a mental concept within which you will learn.  Most times persons with real world experience make better learners of than persons who have no clue about the applicability of what is being taught.  If you lack work experience you may want to develop a mental framework that you would otherwise have to make learning more logical and applicable.