Tips for Studying and Preparing for Emerson College Exams

Taking exams can be a stressful and challenging time for college students. However, being properly prepared and utilizing effective study methods can help students perform their best on Emerson College exams. This article provides tips and strategies to help Emerson College exams students effectively study for and ace their exams.

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Introduction

Exams serve an important purpose in college academics – they allow professors to evaluate how well students have learned course material. Performing well on exams requires diligent preparation and thoughtful studying. Emerson College aims to provide students with resources to set them up for exam success. By taking advantage of these resources, following exam preparation best practices, and developing effective study habits, Emerson students can feel confident and ready to tackle exams.

Check Academic Resources Available at Emerson

Emerson College offers many academic resources to aid students in exam preparation. Becoming familiar with these services early on can be hugely beneficial.

Academic Success Consultants

Academic Success Consultants assist students one-on-one with developing strategies for studying, note taking, reading comprehension, test taking, time management, organization, and more. Students are encouraged to schedule appointments with consultants to get personalized recommendations and advice.

Writing, Language, and Study Skills Centers

For help specifically with writing assignments and papers, the Writing Center offers tutoring and feedback. The Language Center provides assistance for non-native English speakers. The Study Skills Center focuses on enhancing skills like time management, reading strategies, test preparation, and note taking.

Library Services

Beyond housing a wealth of information resources, Emerson College’s libraries also provide space, technology, and staff to support studying. Students can reserve private study rooms for distraction-free exam prep. Librarians are available to help students locate materials, conduct research, and use library services.

Understand Emerson’s Test-Optional Policy

Emerson has a test-optional admissions policy, meaning ACT/SAT scores are not required for admission. However, some departments may require placement exams. Students can opt out of submitting test scores if they feel their skills and talents are better showcased through other application materials.

This policy acknowledges that standardized tests are not the only measure of a student’s potential success at Emerson. Exam preparation should focus on comprehension of course material rather than test-taking ability.

Review Admissions Requirements for Your Program

To set yourself up for success, it’s important to understand Emerson’s admissions standards for your particular program.

Undergraduate Admissions

Emerson evaluates undergraduate applicants holistically based on factors like high school GPA, extracurricular activities, essays, recommendations, and optional test scores. Maintaining a strong GPA and grasping course concepts is key.

Graduate Admissions

Graduate program acceptance criteria typically include holding a bachelor’s degree, minimum GPA, test scores like the GRE, letters of recommendation, admissions essays, and relevant experience. Graduate students should focus on advanced conceptual mastery.

Transfer Student Requirements

For transfer students, the number of college credits earned determines required materials for admission. This may include college transcripts, SAT/ACT scores, and high school transcripts. Continually learning and applying skills is critical for transfers.

Stay Organized with a Calendar

Organization is one of the cornerstones of effective studying. Setting up a calendar to plot important exam dates, registration deadlines, classes, due dates, and more can help students stay on top of their workload.

• Use a planner, wall calendar, or phone calendar to record vital academic dates as soon as they are announced. This provides an at-a-glance overview of the semester.
• Block out prep time well in advance of exams. Avoid cram sessions by scheduling study sessions over several weeks.
• Mark down time for all commitments, including classes, assignments, projects, exams, work, meetings, and personal events. Seeing the full picture helps balance priorities.
• Set reminders to go off before deadlines and exams to ensure nothing gets missed.

Staying organized alleviates stress and helps students put their focus into understanding course material instead of logistical details.

Develop an Effective Study Schedule

In conjunction with an academic calendar, students should devise a personalized weekly study schedule. This involves realistically evaluating course difficulty, mapping out available free time, and budgeting study hours accordingly.

Assess Course Difficulty

First, objectively look at each course and determine where it falls on the difficulty scale for you specifically.

Consider factors like:

• Your personal strengths and weaknesses with the subject matter
• The instructor’s testing and grading style
• The volume and complexity of material covered
• Prerequisites you have (or have not) taken
• Your current grades and comfort level with concepts

Courses that cover a lot of intricate material or delve into unfamiliar topics likely require more study time. Be honest about the areas you struggle with.

Map Out Available Time

Next, analyze your weekdays and weekends to find pockets of time that can be dedicated to studying. Look at:

• Hours spent in class
• Hours spent at work
• Hours spent commuting
• Time set aside for meals, errands, etc.
• Activities and obligations like clubs or sports
• Downtime for socializing and relaxing

Find the gaps where you can fit in meaningful study sessions given your unique schedule. Having a set routine makes it easier to stick to a regular study plan.

Budget Study Hours

With course difficulty and availability in mind, assign study hours for each class accordingly. More difficult or heavier courses warrant more time. Schedule specific sessions for particular classes or subjects. General tips include:

• Study challenging courses for 2 or more hours at a time
• Limit single study sessions to 2-3 hours to avoid burnout
• Allow at least 1 week of comprehensive reviewing before exams
• Optimize retention by studying a subject for short bursts over several days

Continually adjust your schedule based on upcoming projects, tests, personal needs, and any shifts in your academics. Flexibility will help maintain balance.

Implement Effective Study Habits and Skills

Simply putting in face time studying does not automatically translate to learning. Students should intentionally develop habits and skills that maximize understanding and retention of course material when prepping for exams.

Reduce Distractions

Find or create a dedicated study space devoid of diversions like television, phone notifications, or household activities. Alternately, use noise-cancelling headphones or instrumental background music to minimize intrusions. Studying requires deep focus.

Review Throughout the Semester

Revisiting covered topics periodically strengthens comprehension and stops knowledge from slipping away. Create study materials like flashcards, outlines, or summaries that make reviewing efficient.

Practice Retrieval

Testing your memory with practice questions and flashcards without referencing notes boosts long-term learning. Teach covered concepts to a friend or study group without relying on books or slides. Retrieval practice is far more effective than rereading material.

Get Enough Rest

Being well-rested allows students to focus better during study sessions. Sleep facilitates memory consolidation and creativity needed for complex concepts. Maintain consistent sleep habits in sync with your body’s needs.

Eat Brain Foods

Fuel your body and brain with protein, whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and fish. Stay hydrated and limit sugar intake. Proper nutrition powers the intensive thinking and concentration required for exam prep.

By honing effective habits tailored to their needs, students can make the most of study time. Mastering these skills takes practice but pays off tremendously.

Conclusion

Preparing for and performing well on exams at Emerson College is very feasible with the right strategies. Taking advantage of academic resources, understanding program requirements, staying organized, budgeting study time, and implementing good study habits sets students up for success. While exams can be challenging, they allow students to demonstrate their knowledge. With diligence and preparation, Emerson students can feel ready to excel on any exam.

References

1. Emerson College Academic Success Center. https://www.emerson.edu/academic-affairs/academic-success
2. Emerson College Test-Optional FAQs. https://www.emerson.edu/admission-aid/undergraduate-admission/first-year-applicants/test-optional-faqs
3. Emerson College Requirements for Transfer Students. https://www.emerson.edu/admission-aid/undergraduate-admission/transfer-applicants/requirements
4. Emerson College Academic Calendar. https://www.emerson.edu/registrar/academic-calendars
5. Emerson College Undergraduate Admissions. https://www.emerson.edu/admission-aid/undergraduate-admission
6. Emerson College Student Support Services. https://www.emerson.edu/students/student-support-services

Table of Tips for Studying and Preparing for Exams at Emerson College