To study for your final exams, here are a couple of strategies to improve your marks.

1.      Make a notes page. Highlight the “big ideas”, information that is key to understanding that topic. Include pictures and diagrams that can help you to remember the scientific processes. If you make your notes very colorful, underline key words, summarize in the margins of your paper and include lots of pictures, then the information will store in your memory much more easily. Remember that understanding is the number one priority of a science student, not memorizing.

2.      Connect the dots. Try thinking about what you learned in class and finding an example that happens in the real world. When you associate new information to simple things that you already understand, it creates a deeper level of understanding and makes learning fun and purposeful. Again, this will help you remember and understand complicated scientific process, because you are applying them on a simpler level.

3.      Practice.  Science often uses formulas as a way to find a solution to a word problem. The best way to study for word problems is to practice, just like you would practice with sports. You need to go through the motions again, and again and reflect where your errors were made. Was it because of algebraic errors? Or maybe it is because you don’t understand the vocabulary.

4.      Study your vocabulary. How are you going to solve a problem or answer a multiple-choice question, if you don’t know what it is asking you? You need to actively study your vocabulary. Use flash cards.  Write the definition on one side and on the other side, write he vocabulary word. Or you can write out a list of vocabulary and test yourself to see if you can explain the definition. Only reading your vocabulary will not be as efficient.

5.      Take care of body and your mind. This is good advice for any student, studying any course. You need to eat a good lunch, you need to have a minimum of eight hours sleep and you need to exercise. Many scientists have proven that if you have a healthy diet, regular sleeping schedule and exercise routine, your brain will be much more capable of doing its job. Your brain needs to rest, just like you do. Don’t stress your mind out. You need to be confident in your abilities and study for small amounts of time. Take frequent breaks during your self-study. Walk into the exam with a good attitude, knowing that you tried your best.

By asking yourself why, you will be more engaged in your study. Your brain will be more active which helps to recall the information. Your brain is the most useful tool in study and learning. The more you understand about how your brain stores information, the more efficiently you can study.

Melissa MacLean

为什么一个苹果掉在了牛顿的头上？为什么两个大的物体之间会相互吸引？为什么早上风往海岸上吹而晚上风往海面上吹呢？科学课关注各种自然现象并解释原因。为了真正学会掌握科学知识，你必须问自己：为什么？如果你能够用科学概念回答问题，那你就能确认自己是真的弄懂了！ 

为了更好地准备期末考试，我们提供以下学习策略： 

1.        做好笔记。标出“大观点”即理解知识点的关键信息。画图来帮助记忆科学过程。如果你的笔记绚丽多彩，关键词都被划上下划线，在页边做总结并画上很多图，那么信息就会更容易被存储。记住：科学课学生的首要任务不是记忆而是理解。 

2.        建立关联。试图思考在课堂上学到的知识并举出实例。当你把新知识与自己掌握的简单事物关联起来，你的理解将更深刻，学习也会更有趣和有意义。这也可以帮你记忆和理解复杂的科学过程，因为你把这些概念运用在了简单的层面上。 

3.        练习。科学课经常使用公式来解决应用题。应用题的最佳学习方法是练习，就像你体育锻炼一样。你必须一遍一遍地练习并反思出错的原因。是因为代数的错误吗？还是可能你不理解单词。

4.        温习词汇。如果你不理解题目，你怎样解决问题或回答选择题呢？你必须主动地学习词汇。可以使用单词卡。把定义写在一面上，然后在另一面上写上单词。或者你可以写下一组单词然后测试自己是否能够做出解释。仅单纯地读单词将收效甚微。

5.        身心兼顾。这是对所有学生学习任何科目都受用的建议。你必须吃上一顿丰盛的午餐，保证至少八小时的睡眠同时注意锻炼身体。很多科学家都证明了这点：如果营养均衡、保证睡眠并加强锻炼，你的大脑将能更高效地运转。大脑跟人一样，需要休息。不要压力过大。你必须相信自己的能力并控制每次学习的时间。自习时也不忘休息。带着积极的态度走进考场，并全力以赴。

通过问为什么，你能更加投入学习。你的大脑将更加活跃从而帮助回忆信息。大脑是学习的最佳工具。你越理解大脑存储信息的方式，你的学习效率将会越高。 

Melissa MacLean

加方首席教师