Having a college diploma is a dream for many individuals, and those who weren’t able to get it the first time around are going back to school to earn their degree. According to recent data, almost one million adults who had dropped out of college returned to school in the past five years, with some taking online classes to continue their education. The survey also reveals that the median age of completers was 30, and 54 percent of them were women. Finishing a college education can provide enormous satisfaction, and it will open doors for employment, as well as enabling you to feel confident in the workplace. Part of going back to school means taking exams, and you’ll need to prepare so you can ace your tests. If it’s been a while since you’ve taken exams, here’s how you can prepare to take them as a returning college student.
Avoid cramming
Cramming is a no-no for all students, and as a returning college student, you should be aware of the repercussions of wasting your time while pursuing a degree. Give yourself enough time to revise so you’ll be familiar with the material, and create a schedule for studying so you’ll be reminded to make time for it everyday. Whether you’re studying a traditional academic subject or something as specific as project management, you can also test your mastery of the material by taking a mock exam online. Doing so will enable you to prepare to take the exam in a realistic, online exam environment, and it will also help you to gain confidence while applying effective test taking strategies.
Know what you’ll need for the test
Knowing the things that you need for your exam allows you to prepare well so that you can focus more on studying. If you’ll be taking an online exam, check your Internet connection and computer to make sure that they’re all in good working condition. You’ll also need to have the necessary tools and stationery on hand, as well as your notes if you’re having an open book exam.
Be physically and mentally ready for the exam
Younger students often forget to take care of themselves the day before they take an important exam, so some of them end up feeling sleepy, uncomfortable or sick on the day of the test. If you know that you have an exam, make time to review your notes the day before, and plan on going to sleep early. Don’t drink caffeinated drinks or eat something that may cause indigestion. On the day of your exam, eat a healthy breakfast, and take care of any other needs so you can focus on your test.
Exams are a part of college life, so you need to prepare for them as a returning college student. Try these tips to prep for your tests so you can achieve good results.
