Bachelor of Science in Nursing 2YA

VRTS112: VERITAS ET MISERICORDIA 2

Discussed by Prof. Percival Manuel
Coverage for Final: • Focus on individual sections before moving on.
• How to take down notes • Write down your notes without looking.
• How to memorize • Make flashcards.
• How to take a test • Use mnemonic devices.
• Time management • The MSMM provides a unique view on memory. It basically
says “you can remember anything with adequate rehearsal.”
ACHIEVING GOALS: HOW TO TAKE DOWN NOTES MSMM is divided into three memory stores:
Importance of Taking Down Notes • The Sensory Memory (SM), first store. It receives constant
These are the 6 important ways on how to improve note taking. information from a multitude of external stimuli through the
1) Improves focus and attention to detail five senses (hearing, sight, taste, smell, touch).
- It enhances the attention span of the students on the • The Short-Term Memory (STM), second store. Through
lecture and gives better understanding on the topic. rehearsal, it will get processed into the last store.
2) Promotes active learning • The Long-Term Memory (LTM), the third and last
- It increases the productivity of the students in learning store, which encodes memories. This store contains unlimited
process by acquiring the input from the speaker. capacity.
3) Boosts comprehension and retention • When we bring to our mind an event or information, the STM
- The students will develop their memory retention by retrieves the data held by the LTM and brings it to our
writing the content and other important details. attention.
4) Teaches to prioritize skills
- The students will learn how to get the important key Five Memory Tricks to Help You Remember Anything
words and elicits the unnecessary contents. Chunking
5) Improves organization skills - The process of taking individual pieces of information and
- It engages the students to know how to arrange and group grouping them into a larger whole. By putting each piece into
the important events or situations on the topic. a larger whole you can increase the amount of information you
6) Increases creativity can remember.
- The students will have the ability to effectively organize - Effective chunking includes the following techniques:
the particular subject or idea to expand the text in the • Practice
easiest yet imaginative way. • Look for connections
• Associate
Glenn-Cowan (1995) prepared eight strategies on how to take • Incorporate other memory strategies like mnemonics
down notes effectively: Acrostic
1) Read the textbook that you will be using in the lecture - A mnemonic or a kind of aid that props someone to remember
before the class details or a piece of information easily.
2) Bring the materials needed in the lecture - It is a way of forming a complete sentence or a series of words
3) Make a note of some important questions that occur to in which the first letter of each word stands for a specific thing
you as you read to remember.
4) Familiarize yourself in capturing important ideas Method of loci
5) Complete reading and written assignments before the - It is awesome for visual learners as it pumps up the
deadline imagination and entangles spatial memory.
6) Accept that you are a responsible student; recognize and Mind mapping
use symbols of important notes - A visual form of note taking that offers a summary of a topic
Take a seat near to the teacher, away from the windows and its intricate information putting up learners to grasp the
and people who might distract you significance, create new ideas and construct linkages.
Review your notes - It is functional and an effective device that aids in clearly
understanding foremost details
5 Tips on How to Take Down Notes
Repetition
1) Write and do not type the text
- A method of improving memory simply by repeating the act.
2) Use key concepts and not complete sentences
- It works well since it helps the brain firm up connections that
3) Use visuals or symbols
are used to recall memories.
4) Use an outline
5) Understand your notes Practical Tips and Ideal Conditions to Improve Concentration
and Recall (Tenny, 2018)
ACHIEVING GOALS: HOW TO MEMORIZE • It is awesome for visual learners as it pumps up the
The Fastest Way to Memorize Notes for a Test imagination and entangles spatial memory.
• Review your notes within 24 hours of taking them. • Pay attention to get information right the first time. It is
• Start studying a few days before the test/exam. difficult to replace wrong information with the right
• Break your notes into sections. information.
• Speak your notes out loud.
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• Make certain that you understand a concept. It is very difficult - Thinking positively results in less stress and gives positive
to recall what is fuzzy. Read and then reread before class, ask effects.
questions and try to explain the concept to someone else 6) Rely on your first impressions (Gilron & Gutchess, 2011)
during your review session. - The answer which comes to mind first is often correct.
• Use chunking. There are limits to how much we can recall, but - A deciding factor in our choice, judgements and
these limits expand when the material is meaningfully trustworthiness.
organized (e.g. What are the three key concepts of the chapter 7) Analyze your performance in every test
and how are ideas grouped under these key ideas?). Cluster - Test measures the strongest and weakest areas of your
ideas around a heading or category. One item may serve as a ability to understand
cue to another during the exam. - Test helps you shape up your academic advancement.
• Be selective – condense and summarize. This helps to make 8) Pay attention on how words, prefixes, phrases and
the time requirements more manageable. Remember: statements are used
memorization is secondary to comprehension. - Review your grammar usage and vocabulary.
• Mnemonic devices can serve as organizers for new - Remember, a word or group of words have multiple
information, either classic acronyms such as Every Good Boy meanings. Scrutinize carefully how each was used.
Does Fine to represent the lines on the musical staff EGBDF,
Test Taking: Strategies for Coping
or individualized ones that you design for yourself.
- Too little anxiety (apathy) or too much anxiety (panic) are
• Create a peg on which to hang the information you want to both problematic. A moderate level of anxiety gives energy
remember. It might be a rhyme, an unusual image or maybe a and improves concentration.
sequence The Night Before
• Eliminate distractions - Establish good study habits. Cramming increases the
• Check your concentration as you go – generally toward the likelihood of panic. Concentrate on what you do know and try
end of every other page, but more often if the reading is dense to think of likely questions to be asked.
in terms of facts, definitions, equations, etc. Test yourself on - Get a good night's sleep.
identifying the main idea and restate it in your own words. - Make sure you know the time of the exam, where it is being
• Use all of your senses, e.g. draw on the board, trace it over and held, and how to get there.
over, look for unique visual patterns, talk it out to somebody, - Keep the importance of the exam in perspective. Talk to
or rehearse it in the mirror. yourself: "It's only an exam." "I can do it." "Stay cool."
• Erase to remember. Write out what you need to recall for an On Exam Day
exam completely in pencil. Progressively erase words as you - Eat a moderate breakfast or lunch. Avoid drinks or drugs with
commit them to memory. caffeine. Over agitation can increase nervousness and harm
• Use all of your senses, e.g. draw on the board, trace it over and concentration and memory.
over, look for unique visual patterns, talk it out to somebody, - Do a relaxing activity unrelated to the exam in the last hour
or rehearse it in the mirror. before the exam.
- Steer clear of fellow students who are "anxiety generators."
ACHIEVING GOALS: HOW TO TAKE A TEST Panic is contagious.
Test - Get to the exam room early to settle in and prepare your
- A test is a form of assessment or evaluation utilized to view supplies and familiarize yourself with surroundings.
what students have learned. It ascertains learner’s - Tense all your muscles for a moment, then suddenly relax
advancement and progress to a higher level from certain them. Take 3 deep breaths.
intelligible skills as accorded. A test impels students to During the Exam
confidently excel more in their studies. - Read directions and underline significant instructions.
Test Taking Techniques - First answer the easy questions. Then go back to the more
1) Gather resources to increase knowledge difficult.
- Employ effective study habits to enhance your memory. - Multiple Choice - eliminate the impossible answers, then make
- Preparing and taking a practice test do help. as good an intuitive guess as possible.
2) Be at the testing venue 20-30 minutes earlier the schedule - Essay Questions - take a few minutes to organize your
- Have some time to adapt yourself to the venue for the test. thoughts. Jot them down and start with a summary sentence.
- Clear your mind and think positive thoughts. - When confronted with excess anxiety, break it by doing
3) Follow test directions, pay attention to last-minute something unusual: ask a question; get a drink; chew gum; eat
instructions a piece of hard candy; sharpen pencil; tense and relax large
- Accurate instruction advances positive results. muscle groups; take several deep, slow breaths.
- Directions are an essential part to one's success. - Don't rush; maintain steady pace.
- Last minute changes are often unavoidable. After the Exam
4) Utilize allotted time productively - Use the test as a learning tool. After the exam is over, don't
- Plan and estimate how much time you will need to torture yourself over mistakes.
accomplish each test item. - Take a break and take note of how you were tested. Don't vow
- Answer all questions, leave no item unanswered and to study harder. Vow to study smarter.
double check your answers. - Review the exam looking for the types of errors. Is there a
5) Positive mindset is important pattern: e.g. did I use a - instead of a + sign in problems?
- Optimists do better on tests.
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6 ways To Beat Test Anxiety ACHIEVING GOALS: TIME MANAGEMENT

1) Say No to "No-Doz" - Good study habits can bring you success as a student and as
- Sure, you're going to do some last-minute cramming the productive member of the society. Likewise, having skills in
night before a test. Just don't do it with the aid of quarts of time management can help you to contribute in the furtherance
coffee or tea. The reason: Caffeine adds to stress. Gulp of your study goals.
some caffeine and, come test-time, you may be too wired - Good study habits and time management enhance better
to focus on the job in front of you. concentration and focus on your quest for academic success.
2) Eat light
- For a couple of hours before a test, stay away from food 7 Time Management Tips for Students’ Effective Learning
or, if you must, just sample some. Eat and you might get (APSI)
drowsy. Your digestive system will be competing with 1) Expel all forms of distractions
your brain for oxygen-rich blood. Better than eating, take - Keep yourself free from objects, i.e. gadgets, and clatters,
a walk to get that blood moving rapidly through your that can crash down your concentration while on your
body. study session. Clear off, log off, get off and turn off all
3) Dress for Success your media devices to avoid temptations brought by the
- Get comfortable. Wear clothes that you can relax in and social media networks.
forget about. And be prepared. Show up at the test site 2) Zero in with the task at hand
with all the pencils, pens, erasers, and calculators you - Set clear goals and focus completely on the task at hand.
think you'll need. - Zoom in your action plan.
4) Be Positive 3) Have a well-planned agenda
- Expect to do well. And don't worry yourself into hysterics - Set up a calendar on your phone or computer and ensure
about how central this one test is to your future plans. you stick to it. A calendar is a great way to plan the
Since when was any one test that important? agenda you have for the day.
5) Avoid Distractions 4) Employ a checklist
- Don't give a second's thought to that individual sitting - Jot down the things that you need to get done and tick
next to you who's writing twice as fast as you can think. them off one by one completely. Thus, doing these give
(She's probably writing an angry letter to the professor, you a sense of achievement
blaming him for failing to inspire her.) Concentrate only 5) Carry out well coordinated activities
on your own exam. - Once you have your calendar and checklist set up, it is
6) Take a Break easier to get all things well-organized. Being organised
- Pause whenever you need to break the tension. Close your and systematic will save you a lot of time and allow you
eyes and practice head rolls or other relaxing exercises to apportion and manage your time smoothly.
6) Reward yourself for every accomplishment
Four Tips for Lasting Relief - You deserve little breaks. It allows your brain to relax. If
1) Start Early you’re relaxed, you perform a lot better and you become
- Begin preparing for midterms and finals the first day of more productive.
class, disciplining yourself to master the material every 7) Get an adequate sleep
step of the way. By the time the exams come, you'll be - Sleep makes you feel better and boosts your mood. It aids
ready and confident. And confidence is one of the major you to have a healthy lifestyle. It improves your memory
buffers of stress. and the simplest way to improve your performance – you
2) Work on Memory Skills become more productive. So include sleep in your
- Try different ways to fix facts in your mind. Make up schedule.
flash cards. Develop recall techniques such as assigning 10 Habits of Highly Effective Students by Becton Loveless,
letters to a series of points you want to remember or Education Corner
associating a word with a fact. Find out what works for 1) Avoid cramming
you, and use it to create your own data retrieval system in - Keep a regular study period even in short periods of time,
your mind. In that way, you will not be preparing hastily for your test.
3) Learn Test-Taking Skills If you will experience cramming, all of the things you had
- There are tricks to test-taking, and they can be learned. studied will not help you at all.
Multiple-choice and essay tests require different 2) Arrange your timetable to study
approaches. Practice taking tests, and you'll learn why. - No matter how busy you are, having a daily or weekly
4) Don't Grade Yourself routine would certainly enable you to attain your desired
- Resist the impulse to let your grade point average serve as goal in succeeding at school tasks.
a measure of your self-worth. 3) Create consistent time duration to study
- To have a consistent daily study routine is essential.
Studying every day or every week will become a regular
part of your life.
- You will grow mentally and emotionally more fit for each
study session and each session will turn out more
productive.

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4) Set a specific goal for each study period

- You have to make sure what you exactly need to achieve
at each study session. Hence, being mindful of your goal
before you bolt into your task makes you aware of your
accomplishments.
5) DO NOT put off your study session
- Procrastination also leads to rushing, and haste makes
waste. If you always delay your things, assignment or
studies to be done, it doesn’t make sense, and you end up
less effective in doing your task that leads you to have
many other unfinished tasks.
6) Prioritize the most difficult subject from the easy ones
- As your most difficult assignment or subject will require
the most effort, time and mental energy, you should bolt it
first. Once you have completed the most difficult task, it
will be effortless to accomplish the rest of your work.
Starting with the most difficult subject will greatly
improve the effectiveness of your study sessions and
academic performance
7) Before doing a new task, make a reappraisal of your notes
- Reviewing notes before each study session will help you
remember important subject matters learned during the
day, and make sure your studying is effective and meets
the target period.
8) Keep away from distraction while you're studying
- Clear off your study area. When you are distracted while
studying, you lose your train of thought and are unable to
focus. Find a place where you won't be disturbed or
distracted. Distraction will bring you to bafflement.
9) Studying with your groups is beneficial (two heads are
better than one)
- Working in groups allows you to (1) get help from others
when you are struggling to understand a concept, (2)
complete assignments more quickly, and (3) teach others,
whereby helping both the other students and yourself to
internalize the subject matter.
10) Review your notes, schoolwork and other class materials
over the weekend and free times
- Successful students review what they have learned during
the week over the weekend. This way they are well
prepared to continue learning new concepts that build
upon previous coursework and knowledge acquired the
previous week.

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