Maggie Gilligan

Akeel Rouse

Affordable Tutoring + Job Creation = www.Peer2PeerTutors.com Empowering students to achieve their goals | Ayudando estudiantes lograr sus metas | 使 学 生 们 心 想 事 成

Agenda

• Introductions

• Test Anxiety

• Test Taking/Prep

• Other Study Tips

About Me

My name is Maggie Gilligan and I am from Bethesda, Maryland. I started working for Peer2Peer tutors at the beginning of my sophomore of high school year as an Associate Tutor, worked as a Student Manager my sophomore year, and this year work as a Student Manager and Brand Ambassador for Peer2Peer.

About Me

• My name is Akeel Rouse I was born in Fairfax , Virginia on November 25, 1992. Four years ago I became a tutor/volunteer at the George B. Thomas Learning Academy Saturday Program. During those four years I learned and developed skills as a tutor. Later then my senior I obtained a job as a tutor with Peer2Peer tutors for our Strathmore program and then 9 months later became the manager for the program.

Test Anxiety Workshop

What is Test Anxiety?

• Test anxiety is the feeling of nervousness and distress you experience before or during a test. Students who suffer from test anxiety report difficulties with concentration, mental blocks, and distractibility.

What causes Test Anxiety ?

• Lack of Preparation

• Personal issues or distractions outside of school

• Mindset not 100% on the test at hand

• Distracted or discouraged because of how well other students are doing

• Timed tests can cause fear of not finishing the test on time

How Test Anxiety Can Affect You

• Test anxiety can affect you in three different ways.

• Behaviorally

• Physiologically

• Psychologically

Physiological Affects Can Cause :

• Dry Mouth

• Increased heart rate

• Tensed muscles

• Perspiration

Psychological Affect Can Cause :

• Feelings depressed

• Having self doubt

• Feeling apprehensive

Behavioral Affects Can Cause :

• Difficulty reading and understanding questions on a test

• Inability to make decisions, act or express yourself

• Inability to organize thoughts and concepts

Ways To Deal With Test Anxiety Before It Occurs

• Create a study schedule

• Study and review all material throughout semester

• Get a study partner or friend to help you go over information and study way before the test date

• Get yourself into a peaceful and relaxing state mind before a test

Creating A Study Schedule

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

Get together all old exams, class worksheets, and notes on chapter 1,2,3. Make a master study guide of all this info.

Go over chapters 1,2,3 and the master study.

Go over chapters 1,2,3 and the master study.

Go over any information that you still have trouble with..

Before the test thoroughly go over all information one last time.

This is an example of what a study schedule should look like.

Creating a peaceful and relaxing state of mind before a test.

• Listen to music that would motivate or encourage you

• Encourage yourself think about positive things

• Stretch or exercise; this relieves tension out of your muscles

• Take deep breathes it helps you relax

Works Cited

• Johnson Susan, Taking the Anxiety Out of Taking Tests: A Step-By-Step Guide

• Newman Ed , No More Test Anxiety : Effective Steps for Taking Tests & Achieving Better Grades

Let’s Get Organized!

Affordable Tutoring + Job Creation = www.Peer2PeerTutors.com Empowering students to achieve their goals | Ayudando estudiantes lograr sus metas | 使 学 生 们 心 想 事 成

Know Your Learning Style!

There are three kinds of learning styles; Visual, Auditory, and Kinetic.

Kinetic Learners

• ‘Learn by doing’ kind of learners

•Movement helps to retain information for a test

•Try pacing, physically acting out notes, and practice through repeated motion

• Mnemonic devices are especially effective with Kinetic learners

Visual Learners

•Color code notes

•Picture information in your head (especially effective for history tests!)

•Draw and use pictures in your notes

•Try mind mapping and other styles of note taking as opposed to the classical outline

Auditory learners

• Repeat information aloud to yourself

• Use rhyming to help you remember information

• Work in study groups

• Use rhythms when memorizing information

Memory Techniques

Three Basic Processes in Memory:•Encoding- The process of readying information for storage

•Storage- The saving of information for use in the future (memory)

•Retrieval- Recalling information from storage-continuous process

Memory Techniques

•Be an active listener

•Be positive

•Pay attention!

•Work with your memory-not against it

Memory Techniques

•Intend to remember

•Organize

•Set a goal to learn and Remember

•Schedule your study time

Organization: At Home

• Devote special place in home for school supplies and doing school work

• Put a list of what you need each day for school in a special place at home so you can check before bed that you are packed for next day

• Pack your backpack at night!

•Decide to improve your concentration

•“Overlearn” the Material

•Reward yourself!

Memory Techniques

Greatest Hits

• Think Small

• Review notes every night

• Stagger strengths and weaknesses.

• Take a short break before starting hw

• Try different study methods

• Create study groups

• Repetition

• Mnemonic devices

• Do not cram

Test Taking Strategies

• Eat well the night before

• Get a good night’s rest!

• Read ALL directions on the test

• Answer easier questions first

• Rephrase difficult questions

• Organize your thoughts before writing

• Double and triple check your work

• Trust in your learning

Works Cited

• PBS Top 10 Tips:

– http://www.pbs.org/parents/strugglingtolearn/supporting_tips.html

• Loudoun County Public Schools Middle School Study Tips: Dr. Talbot

– http://cmsweb1.loudoun.k12.va.us/509_125519104055/lib/509_125519104055/Organization_Tips.pdf

• Peer2Peer Tutors Study Skills Curriculum

• College Board Exam Day: Survival Tips

– http://www.collegeboard.com/student/plan/boost-your-skills/10296.html