calling all college/grad students....

[Emily]

Ok i'm back to my classes and i'm having a problem:(

One of my classes is in PSI form (personalized system of instruction). This is a Pyschology class, and part of the requirments is to have regular "verbal/ oral" tests where you have to memorize flash cards, and recite them to the instructor when he asks for the definintion.

MY PROBLEM!

I have memorized these stinking cards! But once I get to the test, and he starts asking me the definitions I like draw a blank, and mix the answers up. The way it's set up you have 3 chances of taking a verbal test, and then you fail that test. I've taken one, and did not pass. I have two chances left and then i'm screwed!

Once I get home and start studying them I already know the definintions. I dont need to study more; I have them 100% memorized. why do I keep forgetting them once I get in that classroom??

Any advice?? I know we have tons of students on this froum:)

[llanderos11]

Hi Emily,
There is a difference between memorization and recitation. Have you thought of having somebody practice with you, asking the questions and you verbally answer them? The other end of this dilemma may be that you are nervous. Once you have all the verbal answers down pat, you should feel more confident. Good luck.

[nineten]

@EmilyMartinez Relate the definition to something, nmemonics. If the definition is of an intellectual thinker, associate a studious-looking image with glasses; if an emotional-thinkers definition is asked, associate that with a heart pounding. Associate the defs with an image that you are familiar with and can recall quickly. Then ask somebody to quiz you.

[MendozaQH]

Hmmmm, soundslike the days when I was taking organic chemistry :fright: I knew the info at home, but come test time, I totally forgot :rolleyes:

The best thing is to practice in many different types of setting for something like this. Try to go to places where you could be easily distracted so you learn to focus on the stuff that you really know. Should help when you go back to the classroom setting to learn to focus.

Good Luck!

[Emily]

Yeah this class sucks. I do great with written or multiple choice testing but spitting out verbage on a whim is way different then taking a test you have an hour on. This verbal test is 5 minutes, and you have to think fast!

I have'nt practiced with anyone. i've just been using a affirmation type practice where you write the question and answer over and over again. I've also quized myself several times a day verbally but alone without anyone to help.

Guess I should practice with someone before thursday.

[DeBenny]

My advice, have someone quiz you. When you do it yourself, even if you do it outloud, you know what words you are selecting before hand. Know what I mean by this. So it, is best to have someone else quiz you because they would tend to do it more randomly.

[Dorothea]

Emily, talk to the teacher about it. Ask her/him if it would be possible for you to test outside the classroom. I know at most colleges they have a tutoring center where someone can usually administer the tests for you, without the stress/pressure of facing the teacher or the class.
I know a couple people who just can't focus during classroom exams and it really helps them to just do it in a totally different setting.
Good luck!

[Papi]

I always just slept with my instructors. :shrugs:

























*I wish*

[jveli]

When you are at home are you studying them in the same order? Or do you mix them up? Also, I agree...have someone work with you to practice.

For biology I always carried my flashcards around with me, and practiced every chance I got...even while driving...I would have one of my kids "TEST" me on the terms. I would also mark the flashcards depending on how well or bad I had answered so I knew the ones I was getting stuck on...and each card needed to receive 3-5 good marks consecutively before they would go into a separate pile for known terms. That way I practiced in many different environments, and in different formats. A bit obsessive...but it worked.

[brezarenee]

It makes perfect sense that you wouldn't be able to retrieve that info from your memory, because you are not encoding it the same way. You should definitely practice for the test the same way that the test will be. If you had an essay test, it wouldn't help you much to practice multiple choice questions. Same here, writing down the answers isn't helping you much. You need to replicate the test as best as you can in your practice. Definitely have a friend quiz you out loud on the questions.

[Emily]

I always just slept with my instructors. :shrugs:

























*I wish*



Huhhhh ummmm yeah mine are much too old and creepy to offer up living in hell for adultery:bounce:.

But seriously "I wish"? Did you actually have cute teachers? When and how, lol. Mine have always been old farts that are so scatter brained that they can't remmember anything.

[Emily]

Well I studied a little more and then went in this morning and passed. I missed one but only because I pronounced a word wrong:( I said casual instead of causal-clearly two different things, lol!

[brezarenee]

Good job! Just had to get those nerves out of you....

[Emily]

Yeah i've never had to do this type of testing before so I was really nervous.

[Ponchetta]

When I was in graduate school, I had to give seminars in front of all of peers and professor. The first one was a disaster the second one went off with a big success. I think you have some public speaking issues. The one thing that will make you the most nervous is for you to be in front of a professional person. Go talk with your professor. Tell him that you get very nervous in front of them. They are professional; therefore, they should be able to give you some pointers. You need to do it now before your grades suffer more. Trust me, they are very understanding .

[Emily]

Oh, no that isn’t it believe me. I’ve had plenty of public speaking experience. I’ve had to give class seminars at least a dozen or two times. Being a Psych major you get past talking in front of a group REAL FAST, lol.

[hectorswife]

My psychology professor told me that studies have shown that if you study in the shirt that you're going to take your test in, you'll get a better grade. Also, if you're laying down in bed or on the couch studying and then have to test sitting at a desk, you won't do as well. Basically, try to wear a "study shirt" and make it your "test shirt" too. And sit in a chair having someone quiz you, that should help.

When he told me, I thought he was looney, but I did it out of fear that he was right. I have a "study shirt", and a big group of us wear the same shirt every test day. It's weird, but I've never gotten lower than 100%... maybe it works. Good luck!!

[Emily]

My psychology professor told me that studies have shown that if you study in the shirt that you're going to take your test in, you'll get a better grade. Also, if you're laying down in bed or on the couch studying and then have to test sitting at a desk, you won't do as well. Basically, try to wear a "study shirt" and make it your "test shirt" too. And sit in a chair having someone quiz you, that should help.

When he told me, I thought he was looney, but I did it out of fear that he was right. I have a "study shirt", and a big group of us wear the same shirt every test day. It's weird, but I've never gotten lower than 100%... maybe it works. Good luck!!

Thats is really funny. i've heard that to, but I haven't payed much attention to it because i'm a person of fact, lol. Personally I see no correlation between a shirt and test grades BUT there is a correlation between test grades and confidence boosters:)

Hmmm i'll have to try the shirt. I'm sure the students will think i'm too poor to buy new shirts since we have 2-3 tests a week, lol.

[nineten]

Wearing the same shirt is probably keeping the environment 'what you see in front of you' more 'familiar' and comfortable as how you were when previously studying. An attempt to keep things the same. I can relate to that easily. It's sort of like keeping the same 'mindset' with you when you test. DeBenny had mentioned saying the definitions out loud and I think that was an excellent point. For example, say you want to learn 10 phrases of a foreign language and you know you won't use them now but will later, in a week or a month. You can write them down one hundred times (without verbally trying to use them) and when you need them -you won't recall them. As suggested with learning languages, you must take them an extra step and be verbal. In your case of the type of test being verbal, I would've spoken those out loud and also mixed up when quizzed. I'm glad you passed it.