The best preparation for an exam is to study ef-
fectively throughout the course (see “Preparation for
Tutorial Groups” on page 4-40, paying particular attention to the “study wisely” section) Study from your group’ s learning issues everyday and be sure you can answer the questions that arose in the context of the case that prompt- ed the learning issue. Ask yourself questions as you study and look for the answers to them in your reading. Make note of questions you have as you study and concepts that you don’ t understand.
you will need to maintain an intense study schedule. It is difficult to state a certain number of hours each day that you will need to devote to independent study because it will vary for each person. However, you are strongly advised not to take on any additional commitments such as
first semester. Furthermore, it is recommended that you talk frankly with your partner and/or family about changes in family and home responsibilities and expectations, because you will need to allow study time in both the afternoon and the evening. To accommodate your school demands, you are likely to need to negotiate changes in childcare, care giving, cooking and/or housekeeping duties. When studying for long hours, be sure to take frequent, short breaks. You will be more productive if you give yourself a 10-15 minute break for each hour of study. Make use of the resources that are available to you. Studying from a Modular Resource Center module may not be your favorite study habit, but if there is a module relevant to the case and your learning issues, make the time to work through it. You may feel shy about approach- ing faculty members with questions, but faculty experts actually complain when students DON’ T come to them. Use those experts to help you understand the material you are studying. If you don’ t understand, ask.
Use the objectives of the course to guide you (and
your group’ s) study. Refer to the objectives frequently
to reinforce the conceptual framework for the course. In Course I, students find that the objectives printed at the end of the dissection guide are one of the most useful study guides. Be sure you can meet each of the objec- tives for each of the laboratories. Organizing what you are learning will be critical. It is helpful to create concept maps, diagrams, flow charts or outlines to organize, group, categorize and prioritize what is learned from multiple sources.
Study with others. Groups or study partners can be helpful because they force you to explain your under- standings. Verbally and visually representing your knowl- edge to your peers reinforces your learning and ensures that you are able to coherently and concisely answer key questions about the material. Asking each other questions helps you look at the material in ways you don’ t when studying alone. Hearing othe rstudent' explanations can also help you check your own understanding. Setting agendas for study group meetings can help you stay fo-
learning Resources continued
Be prepared for tutorials and for lectures and labo-
ratories. If the lecture notes are handed out in advance of
the lecture, read them. You will get more out of lectures if you are prepared for them. Most lecturers assume that you have already been introduced to the topic through your tutorial and independent study and that the lecture will go into greater depth or synthesize material from a variety of sources.
Review continuously and immediately. Re-read your
lecture notes shortly after the lecture. Ask yourself if
there were any parts you didn't understand or had questions about. Review your laboratories in the same way. Return to the laboratory and repeat and review the lab to reinforce it while it is fresh.
Conduct a self-assessment. Most o fthe foundation courses offer a mock, practice exam or previous years' exams(often with model answers put on reserve in the library). In Course I, there is a mock laboratory practical exam set up approximately two thirds of the way through the course. In Course II, two specially written practice exams are made available in the Dry Lab with time for you to take indicated on the course schedule. These exams will give you an idea of the kind of questions that are asked and the breadth and depth that is expected. Make good use of the sample exams. Approach a mock exam like you'd approach the real exam by actually "taking"the exam, answering the questions (on the topics you've had to date in the course ) to your best ability, without referring to the answer key. Then grade it against the answer key. This will give you a more accurate picture of how well you are doing than if you just look over the questions and answers. Once you’ve “graded” yourself, see what areas you are weakest in. Is there a particular case that you need to review? Are you consistently weak in histology, while you’ re doing well in gross anatomy? Were there some types of questions that you had particular difficulty with? Consider what you need to study in order to get those questions right and also how you need to study. Do you need to change your study approach?
Remember, faculty, staff and your fellow students in
the College want you to succeed. You have been care-
fully selected from a very competitive pool of applicants. Ideally everyone will pass and progress to the DVM. There are many people who want to help you achieve that goal.
Please make use of all the resources that are available to you. I fyou have any concerns, you can discuss your study strategies with your tutor, the course leader or a faculty expert, or a member of the student services staff. In addi- tion, regular individual help sessions can be arranged with a faculty expert if needed.