Habits of Effective Students

1. BE PROACTIVE - You always have the freedom to choose!  Rather than reacting automatically to a situation, take a moment to decide how you want to respond.  Realizing what you're in control of and focusing on those things can empower you.

2.  PUT YOUR BIG ROCK FIRST - It is okay to say no sometimes in order to focus on your highest priorities.  What matters most to you?  Tackle those things first.  You'll manage your time better and feel more fulfilled at the end of the day.

3.  BEGIN WITH THE END IN MIND - Start each day, task, or project with a clear vision of the end result.  You might realize that what you're striving for is a it unrealistic or maybe too easy to accomplish.  Setting SMART goals can help guide you in this process.

4.  BECOME A GROUPIE - Get more involved in groups.  Everyone stands to benefit when people bring different experiences and expertise to the table.  If a group is hard to find, a partner will do just fine.  This applies not only to academics, but also to organizations and extra-curricular activities.

5.  FIND A BALANCE - To stay happy and healthy, it's important to balance various areas of your life.  Whether it's joining an intramural soccer team, seeing a concert with friends, or making a biology study group, all students have their own ways of getting physical, social, spiritual, and mental fulfillment.  Finding an equilibrium among all your interests can be hard, but it will keep you from burning out.

Math Test Tips

Here are a few tips to help with your math exams

Glance over the entire test before you begin.  If you don't have extended time, this will help you estimate how quickly you will need to proceed.
Answer questions out of order.  Begin with the questions you know how to do.  Tackling the easy questions first will build your confidence.  Check the problems off as you go along, so you don't miss any.
If you get stuck on a problem, move on to the next one.  You can always go back later.
If a problem has more than one part and you can't do the first part, proceed with the second.  Often, partial marks are awarded for what you do.
Read the questions carefully, and make sure that you don't omit any parts to the problem.  You don't want to miss the opportunity to receive full credit.
Verify that the final answer makes sense.  You may catch a lost decimal point.
Take extra time to check your basic calculations.
Before the test, avoid hanging out with classmates who tend to make you worry or cause your stress levels to rise.