By Amy Estrada/reporter
Waiting until the last minute to study for a big exam can cause a lot more stress than students need, a Trinity River reading instructor said last week.
Christi Duque helped students figure out different solutions to stay on top of studying and reduce the stress they carry throughout the semester in a Feb. 17 Study Skills seminar.
Duque said students should follow in the words of Dory from Finding Nemo: “Just keep swimming.”
“You have to keep going no matter what,” she said.
If the first test isn’t the grade students wanted, she said they can’t just give up right there. They have to improve from the first time and do things differently the second time around.
If students don’t set a deadline for something, they aren’t going to achieve what needs to be done, Duque said. But when people have certain deadlines for achievements, they will succeed and get them done in a timely manner.
Duque said it takes one simple step: staying organized. She suggested getting a calendar and writing down test dates and the days major papers or homework is due. Students can see the timeline and set deadlines for when they need to study and when they need to start writing.
Duque said students should also get a binder to keep everything in, so when it comes to time to study, all of their notes will be in one place with no need to dig for them. Along with organization, students have to be inspired and motivated, or they will not be willing to do what needs to be done when it needs to be done, Duque said.
“You’re not going to want to study or finish the paper that needs to be written,” she said. “Instead, you will be asking yourself why you have to do that. To be successful, you have to ask yourself why you are doing what you are doing and have the response ‘because I want to be successful.’”
Duque then turned the discussion over to the students.
“How are your classes going now?” she asked.
The room was silent for a few seconds.
Then one student said, “Bad, but getting better as the semester progresses.”
Several students nodded or mumbled agreement.
Participants, with Duque’s help, came up with solutions for overcoming studying and stress roadblocks. If students are having trouble finding a tutor, they should make new friends in their classes and form a study group, the group suggested. Other ideas included studying little by little so when it’s test time, students are not drowning in class notes and textbooks. Students also should not be afraid to ask for help because everyone needs it at some point.
Also, take a moment and laugh.
“It takes less muscle to smile than to frown,” she said. “It’s a great stress reliever.”
