calculus test strategies
November 3, 2008 5:52 PM Subscribe
Eh, not really a strategy thread. Basically, what do you guys recommend to avoid the dreaded "brainfreeze", "panicking" or "choking" syndrome synonymous with mathematical tests, particularly calculus.
I did this a bit on the first test and had to fight down panic before I eventually got it, but I'd like to not repeat panicking for 20 mins and then getting myself together.
How do you do it? Do you use breathing techniques? Some wacky herbs? etc?
-Travis
valerian will make you sleepy--maybe not the best choice for test-taking. a relaxation technique i use to help relieve back spasms and other pain is to breathe in for a slow count of five and then out for a slow count of seven. repeat eight to ten times. alternatively, a mantra to repeat slowly can help--it could be a prayer, a poem, or a passage of shakespeare. the point is to use the spoken words to force you to regulate your breathing (yes, you have to say them out loud, although you could whisper).
posted by thinkingwoman at 6:04 PM on November 3, 2008
posted by thinkingwoman at 6:04 PM on November 3, 2008
Best answer: One strategy that I've found to be useful is to study study study, but then take the last day before the test off. Just relax, do something else, let it sink in. Then maybe a touch of work at the end of the day as a refresher.
Speaking of doing something else, this is why we need anonymous answering:
Knock one out before your test. And by 'one', I mean 'one before going to bed, one upon waking up, and one right before you head to the exam'. Masturbation has clear physiological benefits - granted, if you don't have to go solo, don't. But either way, you'll be more calm, guaranteed.
Hi mom.
posted by Lemurrhea at 6:09 PM on November 3, 2008
Speaking of doing something else, this is why we need anonymous answering:
Knock one out before your test. And by 'one', I mean 'one before going to bed, one upon waking up, and one right before you head to the exam'. Masturbation has clear physiological benefits - granted, if you don't have to go solo, don't. But either way, you'll be more calm, guaranteed.
Hi mom.
posted by Lemurrhea at 6:09 PM on November 3, 2008
Yeah, I'm going to say that doing all the homework is the best way to not panic on the test. Do the homework, then do problems from your textbook not on the homework, then throw away everything you've written down and do it all again. Don't just read over the solutions. Write them down on your own, over and over until they stick in your head. If you're comfortable with the material, then (hopefully) you won't panic when you're taking the test. Repetition is key here.
Also, if you look at the first problem and can't figure out how to do it in the first couple of minutes, move on. You need to keep your momentum going.
posted by number9dream at 6:17 PM on November 3, 2008
Also, if you look at the first problem and can't figure out how to do it in the first couple of minutes, move on. You need to keep your momentum going.
posted by number9dream at 6:17 PM on November 3, 2008
I have this problem. Knowing everything inside-out is the only thing that works for me.
posted by pullayup at 6:23 PM on November 3, 2008
posted by pullayup at 6:23 PM on November 3, 2008
dreaded "brainfreeze", "panicking" or "choking" syndrome synonymous with mathematical tests
The fact that you've used the world "synonymous" indicates to me that you sort of expect yourself to panic during a test. Which is probably the easiest way to make sure that you do panic. If you view panicking as inevitable, that's a self-fulfilling prophecy.
This probably won't be that helpful, but maybe you could try thinking of calculus as something that it is possible for you to understand. Having taught calculus before, I can tell you that many students' fear of math causes them to do badly, rather than some sort of innate defect in their brain functioning.
As I said above, being comfortable with the course material is probably the easiest way to give yourself some confidence.
posted by number9dream at 6:29 PM on November 3, 2008
The fact that you've used the world "synonymous" indicates to me that you sort of expect yourself to panic during a test. Which is probably the easiest way to make sure that you do panic. If you view panicking as inevitable, that's a self-fulfilling prophecy.
This probably won't be that helpful, but maybe you could try thinking of calculus as something that it is possible for you to understand. Having taught calculus before, I can tell you that many students' fear of math causes them to do badly, rather than some sort of innate defect in their brain functioning.
As I said above, being comfortable with the course material is probably the easiest way to give yourself some confidence.
posted by number9dream at 6:29 PM on November 3, 2008
Keep doing questions until it becomes almost rote: you see a question, auto-pilot kicks in and you're already trying the most common technique while the other half of your brain is figuring out if another technique will be better.
Basically to the point where it becomes boringly straightforward so that there's no reason to panic, it becomes your bread and butter.
Only a light review the day before, good night's sleep and a simple meal before hand help a lot too.
posted by tksh at 6:55 PM on November 3, 2008
Basically to the point where it becomes boringly straightforward so that there's no reason to panic, it becomes your bread and butter.
Only a light review the day before, good night's sleep and a simple meal before hand help a lot too.
posted by tksh at 6:55 PM on November 3, 2008
I never had this problem on tests but I always panic when given puzzles during a job interview. So far the only tactic I've developed is to stall. Explain why the obvious answer is the obvious answer as well as why it doesn't work while working your way to the real answer.
posted by valadil at 7:18 PM on November 3, 2008
posted by valadil at 7:18 PM on November 3, 2008
Not sure what your brain is freezing on, but if you're spontaneously forgetting formulas you know you know, then do what I did for 4 years of Latin:
*If* you can, look over your book in the minutes before class starts. Assure yourself that you have studied as much as you can and you aren't going to learn anything new in the next 5 minutes. Lemurrhea's advice (the first half anyway) is pretty good. It'll take some of the pressure off you.
As soon as you get the test, at the top corner or in the margins or wherever, write down all the formulas you need to know. Now you have your own non-cheating cheat sheet.
Also, first Google result for calculus formula. Just in case.
posted by Brittanie at 7:24 PM on November 3, 2008
*If* you can, look over your book in the minutes before class starts. Assure yourself that you have studied as much as you can and you aren't going to learn anything new in the next 5 minutes. Lemurrhea's advice (the first half anyway) is pretty good. It'll take some of the pressure off you.
As soon as you get the test, at the top corner or in the margins or wherever, write down all the formulas you need to know. Now you have your own non-cheating cheat sheet.
Also, first Google result for calculus formula. Just in case.
posted by Brittanie at 7:24 PM on November 3, 2008
Best answer: Not that you asked, but I also found Paul's Online Math Notes helpful for filling in any gaps in the material I was learning in class. It also has extensive, cogently explained example problems.
posted by pullayup at 7:35 PM on November 3, 2008
posted by pullayup at 7:35 PM on November 3, 2008
Personally, I never studied all that much in college. I suspect a lot of people who find your experience common never graduated or found anything workable. The only thing I can do is suggest what I did in case it's sufficiently different to make a difference for you. Who knows, maybe not stressing about tests causes good grades, rather good grades causing a lack of stress.
Firstly, do the reading and homework; every class I've got low marks in was a matter of not doing the homework or reading. Find a friend or two, go to the library and do the homework in some quiet area, immediately after lecture if you can. It doesn't have to be intense, but you do need to try working problems out on your own before "comparing answers". You should be getting about 1 assignment a week in the course, and 2 or 3 quizzes a month. Review your graded homework and quizzes with your buddies to see what everyone did wrong.
Secondly, attend the lectures. I didn't take notes, because it's too hard to write and pay attention. In math classes, everything's pretty much in the book anyways, so you won't miss something on the test by forgetting it. Understanding is more important than remembering. So be current with the homework, do the reading the night before class, and so on.
Finally, don't study too hard. If you're feeling anxious, review the chapters the exam is over for an hour tops. It's too easy to stress out and wear out your brain that way. And it'll make you hate school and studying. Like Brittanie said, my attitude about cramming was that a good night's sleep was more important than preparing for every contingency. I have to caution about doing too much "extra" homework. I count that as studying, and might be counterproductive. If you know the material, repeating it is drill-a-hole-in-my-head boring. It might be worth studying until you recognize that moment, where you begin to entertain sustaining injury over studying another minute. Then you can remind yourself that you knew the material that well X days ago.
Also, I note that your AskMe history is variations on a theme of anxiety, and I'm not sure it's academic advice you need most. A bad test grade is not the end of the world, and perhaps not even enough to cost you an A. There are so many contingency plans in college that I don't think it's worth worrying about bombing a test. But this is rational advice to calm irrational fear.
posted by pwnguin at 8:07 PM on November 3, 2008
Firstly, do the reading and homework; every class I've got low marks in was a matter of not doing the homework or reading. Find a friend or two, go to the library and do the homework in some quiet area, immediately after lecture if you can. It doesn't have to be intense, but you do need to try working problems out on your own before "comparing answers". You should be getting about 1 assignment a week in the course, and 2 or 3 quizzes a month. Review your graded homework and quizzes with your buddies to see what everyone did wrong.
Secondly, attend the lectures. I didn't take notes, because it's too hard to write and pay attention. In math classes, everything's pretty much in the book anyways, so you won't miss something on the test by forgetting it. Understanding is more important than remembering. So be current with the homework, do the reading the night before class, and so on.
Finally, don't study too hard. If you're feeling anxious, review the chapters the exam is over for an hour tops. It's too easy to stress out and wear out your brain that way. And it'll make you hate school and studying. Like Brittanie said, my attitude about cramming was that a good night's sleep was more important than preparing for every contingency. I have to caution about doing too much "extra" homework. I count that as studying, and might be counterproductive. If you know the material, repeating it is drill-a-hole-in-my-head boring. It might be worth studying until you recognize that moment, where you begin to entertain sustaining injury over studying another minute. Then you can remind yourself that you knew the material that well X days ago.
Also, I note that your AskMe history is variations on a theme of anxiety, and I'm not sure it's academic advice you need most. A bad test grade is not the end of the world, and perhaps not even enough to cost you an A. There are so many contingency plans in college that I don't think it's worth worrying about bombing a test. But this is rational advice to calm irrational fear.
posted by pwnguin at 8:07 PM on November 3, 2008
I used Brittanie's method to remember calc formulas. Study right up until the teacher forces you to put everything away, then immediately do a brain dump on a corner of your test/scratch paper.
posted by MadamM at 8:12 PM on November 3, 2008
posted by MadamM at 8:12 PM on November 3, 2008
Pwnguin's observation re: generalized anxiety is spot on as well.
posted by Brittanie at 9:10 PM on November 3, 2008
posted by Brittanie at 9:10 PM on November 3, 2008
Best answer: Give yourself practice tests: See if you can get hold of previous papers --- your professor may or may not give you some. Do them according to the test format, using a stopwatch.
The main idea is to develop a concrete test-taking strategy. This is what worked for me:
At test time, when you are given the questions, start by reading the entire material twice, before doing anything else. Sort the questions in three categories:
(1) Those you know you can do, because they are similar to ones you have already done while studying
(2) Those that are unfamiliar, but you think you can figure out.
(3) Those you have no idea how to approach.
Start by doing all of (1), then try (2). If you have any time left, do (3).
I wouldn't advise writing your own cheat sheet for two reasons: (a) It's highly likely you'll make a mistake due to to the rush to write everything down (b) if you need this, it's a good sign you should study more.
posted by ghost of a past number at 11:02 PM on November 3, 2008
The main idea is to develop a concrete test-taking strategy. This is what worked for me:
At test time, when you are given the questions, start by reading the entire material twice, before doing anything else. Sort the questions in three categories:
(1) Those you know you can do, because they are similar to ones you have already done while studying
(2) Those that are unfamiliar, but you think you can figure out.
(3) Those you have no idea how to approach.
Start by doing all of (1), then try (2). If you have any time left, do (3).
I wouldn't advise writing your own cheat sheet for two reasons: (a) It's highly likely you'll make a mistake due to to the rush to write everything down (b) if you need this, it's a good sign you should study more.
posted by ghost of a past number at 11:02 PM on November 3, 2008
Seconding ghost. When I was at school, I used to take some boiled sweets to exams. Pop a boiled sweet when the examination starts, and don't write anything until you've sucked (not crunched) the sweet away. Spend this time categorizing the questions as ghost said. Once you start, if you get stuck on a question, move on to the next cat 1 question until they're all done. Review any that you did not finish in cat 1, then move on to cat 2. Repeat for cat 2. If you start getting stressed out, stop writing for a moment. Pop a sweet and think about what you want to do next - either a new approach for the question at hand or move onto the next on your priority list.
posted by Jakey at 2:44 AM on November 4, 2008
posted by Jakey at 2:44 AM on November 4, 2008
Heh - my method exactly, only we were allowed to smoke.
posted by ghost of a past number at 4:21 AM on November 4, 2008
posted by ghost of a past number at 4:21 AM on November 4, 2008
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by timsteil at 6:00 PM on November 3, 2008