2 answers
Liam
Student
Santa Clara, California
2
Questions
Asked
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What is the best way to study for political science exams?
There's so much reading in my class(es), it can be hard to decide where to start!
#college #political-science #classes #studying
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2 answers
Maher Arida
English teacher
1
Answer
Rojava, Aleppo Governorate
Updated
Maher’s Answer
Hi Lima
your political science text books thoroughly before your course begins. Take notes as soon as your teacher starts covering the first chapter. Take notes in every class and study these notes daily. All you have to do is read the notes if you do this everyday
Best regards
your political science text books thoroughly before your course begins. Take notes as soon as your teacher starts covering the first chapter. Take notes in every class and study these notes daily. All you have to do is read the notes if you do this everyday
Best regards
Kim Igleheart
Career Counselor | Police Officer
1738
Answers
San Antonio, Texas
Updated
Kim’s Answer
Hi Liam!
I agree it can all be overwhelming! Thankfully, many authors in fact follow an outline form when they write! Skim the chapter before reading it. Notice the section headings. Read the first paragraph, and the first and last sentence of each paragraph, and the final paragraph. Read any chapter summary or discussion questions. Pay attention to pictures, graphs, and other illustrations. If your book is on-line, use whatever resources the publisher provides. You now know what is important in the chapter and what it is about.
If you are running into a time management problem, and must consider skipping the readings, at least do the steps identified above! Also, check the syllabus, and try to get the professor to tell you what percentage of the exams will come from readings vs. lecture, and if exams are open-book. This will help you to prioritize your studying.
I truly don't recommend skipping the readings though! They help to reinforce the lectures, and result in a much better comprehension of the issues! Make sure to read when your brain is at its best. Different times of day for different people. Take notes. Use highlighter (unless you are concerned about selling the book back).
Also, if there is a concept you just "don't get," remember professors have office hours and many are also accessible via email. I also find that simply Googling the topic and looking at how others present it has helped me through when the readings/lectures were not making sense.
I wish you the very best with your studies!
Kim
I agree it can all be overwhelming! Thankfully, many authors in fact follow an outline form when they write! Skim the chapter before reading it. Notice the section headings. Read the first paragraph, and the first and last sentence of each paragraph, and the final paragraph. Read any chapter summary or discussion questions. Pay attention to pictures, graphs, and other illustrations. If your book is on-line, use whatever resources the publisher provides. You now know what is important in the chapter and what it is about.
If you are running into a time management problem, and must consider skipping the readings, at least do the steps identified above! Also, check the syllabus, and try to get the professor to tell you what percentage of the exams will come from readings vs. lecture, and if exams are open-book. This will help you to prioritize your studying.
I truly don't recommend skipping the readings though! They help to reinforce the lectures, and result in a much better comprehension of the issues! Make sure to read when your brain is at its best. Different times of day for different people. Take notes. Use highlighter (unless you are concerned about selling the book back).
Also, if there is a concept you just "don't get," remember professors have office hours and many are also accessible via email. I also find that simply Googling the topic and looking at how others present it has helped me through when the readings/lectures were not making sense.
I wish you the very best with your studies!
Kim