You can use electronic flashcards too. There are computer programs and smartphone apps that are specifically made for studying information on flashcards: you enter the “front” and “back” of the cards and scroll through them.
The prefixes un, in, il, and ir often indicate “not. ” The suffixes –ive, -ative, and –itive indicate that a word is an adjective- one that describes a noun. The prefix man usually has to do with using your hands. The suffix phobia indicates a fear of something. The prefix re means back or again. The prefixes sur, sub, suc, sup, and sus often mean under, below, or secretly. The prefix psyche indicates a relationship to the mind. The prefixes mono (one) and poly (many) indicate a number or amount. The suffixes log, logo, and ology suggest the study of something.
If you have time, try writing the words and definitions more than one time. If you have a visual memory, try using different colors. You may be able to remember the color of the word and visualize the definition during the exam.
If you took notes while discussing the texts, review the notes first, then re-read the text. Be sure to consult your syllabus to remind yourself about all of the texts that you read. Reviewing the chapter titles and the first and last sentences of each chapter of novels can help refresh your memory about the specifics of the novel.
These items, often overlooked when initially reading the texts, often provide context and overviews that can be very helpful for essay questions.
Humanity versus nature Humanity versus a hostile society or God/the gods The fleeting nature of time The inevitability of death The state of Alienation The danger of ambition
If you choose to use an online guide, use a reputable one written by experts. Avoid using personal blogs and websites that don’t say they’re written by experts.
Getting characters’ names wrong or mixing up characters can undermine even otherwise great responses to test questions. Use flashcards (either paper or electronic cards) to memorize characters’ names and details about them. [4] X Research source
If your teacher does not provide a study guide, this option may not be available to you. You could try visiting your teacher before or after class or during her office hours and asking for a guide or for tips about where best to focus your studying.
Anything that your teacher spent more than one day of class on is sure to be important. Most syllabi include a section about exams. At the very least, you should be able to determine what percentage of your overall grade each exam makes up, which can help you determine how long you should spend studying for it.
If you must miss class, ask a friend or reliable classmate for copies of any handouts or her notes from class. If she knows that you will be gone ahead of time, she is more likely to take thorough notes instead of just listening. As a last resort, contact your teacher to find out what materials you missed in class. It is best to let her know you will be gone ahead of time, and tell her that you have tried to have another student take notes for you. Don’t phrase your request by saying you wanted to know if you missed anything or if anything important was covered; this may offend your teacher. Instead, ask if your teacher will share with you what she went over in class.
It’s also important to know whether the exam is cumulative, covering everything from the beginning of the semester, or if it is only covering material since your last exam.
Knowing whether you will be taking the test on a computer or with pen and paper will also help you determine how best to study. A computer with word processing software may negate the need to spend a lot of time studying the spelling of vocabulary words, for example.
Find out if you need a pen or pencil, paper or a test booklet, and if you will be able to use your textbook or novels that you read while taking the test. Some teachers may even allow you to use a notecard or a study guide while taking the test.
You are more likely to be able to put together a study group if you do not wait until the day before the exam to suggest it: plan ahead.
Remember that your group members were not planning to share their notes, so be kind about their handwriting, messy notes, and/or doodling on their notes. Don’t be embarrassed about the state of your class notes. You weren’t expecting to share, and even messy notes can be helpful to someone who doesn’t have any.
