Difficulty: Moderately challenging
Step1
Start studying early. It's hard to learn all you'll need to learn in one night.
Step2
Make a timeline for the period of history you're studying, using your class notes and textbooks.
Step3
Look over the timeline, going back and forth several times, getting a feel for the ebb and flow of events.
Step4
Draw a blank timeline. Fill in the major events without looking at any notes or books, then consult the original timeline to see how much you got right.
Step5
Keep drawing new blank timelines and filling them in until you get it all right.
Step6
Make a list of key people and places for each event on the timeline.
Step7
Look at the big picture. Make yourself aware of the texture of history: Why was event X at time Y important? Why are you learning this in the first place?
Step8
Think in terms of change over time. What was fundamentally different at Time B from how things had been at Time A?
Step9
Think about major transitions and periodization. For instance, why do we talk about the preindustrial period and the postindustrial period as being so different from each other?
Step10
Consider forming a study group with other students in the class. Working together will help all of you understand the material better.
Step11
Review all the material at least once after your main study session.
Comments
Anonymous said
on 8/8/2006 1. Read chapters of your textbook out loud to yourself.
2. Repeat each little section over again about 3 times,
3. Then write it down from memory and see what u remember.
4. I also find learning spider diagrams with numbers and stuff good, because if you number points you remember how many points you needed to learn!!
And finally, don't get stressed. It doesn't help. Hope these help!
Anonymous said
on 3/7/2006 While taking notes in class, writing a timeline, or studying for the test, think of possible essays. Join together major themes, possible points of contention, and argue both sides. Chances are that the essay on the exam will have something to do with what your essays did. This also makes test taking a lot easier because there are fewer surprises. Often the essays you come up with are more challenging than the ones on the test. I used this method as a history major in college and it served me well.
Anonymous said
on 12/30/2005 Sometimes for difficult tests (mostly history tests), I get together with my friends and we study together. We take turns reading and asking each other questions. We spend some time eating snacks and talking as well. I find this very helpful for several reasons:
-Others are helping you learn the material
-Having someone else ask you questions is helpful. They may come up with questions you haven't thought of or didn't know the answers to.
-When you are hanging out with friends you are more relaxed and in a better mood, rather than anxious, nervous, bored, or annoyed.
Note: Spending a little time doing other things is OK and you may need a break once in a while, but don't get too sidetracked. Healthy snacks can be helpful, eating a ton of candy isn't (I know this from experience). Don't forget to spend some time studying on your own as well.
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 I'm in AP European History this year, and it took me the entire year to figure out how to study. I type up the notes I take in class and then make an outline. The outline doesn't usually include everything, just important people and events. Always do your required readings, if you can't do it right away (when they're assigned), then at least do it before the test.
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 First off you need to know what the test is about. Study 3 days in advance. Make sure you know everything! Don't bitch about it either. Sit somewhere quiet and peaceful and study. Usually just read over the chapters. If not, act sick that day..