In your email you stated, “have already failed them 3 times.” This is self-defeating and writing this is telling yourself you will fail. You need to change this to “I am going to pass the exam!” Forget about the past exam scores.
Here are a few techniques that have proved helpful in passing an exam.
Try Mind Mapping rather than traditional note taking. The Mind Map has four essential characteristics:
a) The subject of attention is crystallized in a central image
b) The main themes of the subject radiate from the central image on branches
c) Branches hold a key image / word printed on the associated line – details radiate out
d) The branches form a connected nodal structure.
Source: The Mind Map Book, Tony Buzan
An ABC list is a list of words in alphabetical order ranging from A-Z. The words are related to each other. Generate a dozen ABC lists. Pick a topic (use the chapter’s title or subchapter titles, as starting points, of your text) and generate an ABC list. Repeat this whenever you can. You should generate several lists for each chapter. You will get the most benefit after generating a dozen or so lists.
While commuting to and from school, work, et cetera, generate an ABC list, vocally. Adding the information to your brain via a different sense (audio).
Don’t forget other then reading your text, read several related publication, use the bibliography of each chapter.
Make some Flashcards of keywords concepts. Keep them in you pocket for a quick quiz.
As you stroll down the street look at the signs, pick a letter of each sign and think of a word or phrase that starts with that letter that is relate to your topic. (One could, also, use the letters and numbers of car license plates).
Keep a running diary or blog on your topic. By reading or reading then writing about it you generate strong neural connections. One could also create an audio dairy and then listen to it, when one has available time.
When you are studying drink plenty of water and study in short 20 minutes blocks, taking time between consecutive sessions to digest the information.
If you have a particular hard section to study do it just before you go to bed. Think about it as you drift off to sleep, letting you subconscious mind work on it. It might be handy to keep a pen and paper by you bed to jot down anything you think of when you wake up.
Since you have previously taken the exam, try to recall the past exams. With pen and paper in hand, start writing any question or feeling you had about from the past exams. Within a short period of time you should have a good set of topics to study. When you take this exam this time, make a mental note to remember the any question you had trouble with. After the exam, write these down, and research the information. If you pass the test you have also increased you knowledge, if you failed the test you now know the answer. Win-win strategy.
Vita sine litteris mors est.
