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Computer Science Exam Study Tips
- 1. Computer Science ExamStudy Tips Making the Most of Study Time By Cloudy Heaven Games
- 2. Target Your ProblemAreas • Which topics did you have the most trouble with during the semester? – Gather your notes and previous exams/assignments relevant to these areas • Which topics are most important? – Which ones form the foundation for other topics? • Do you still remember the older material from the beginning of the semester or year?
- 3. Make a StudySchedule • Make your problem areas the priority on the schedule • Specifically note practice problems, examples, and reading material you want to work on as part of your study plan • Link to sample study plan: http://cloudyheavengames.com/wp- content/uploads/2016/11/Sample-Study- Planning-Sheet.xlsx
- 4. PRACTICE!!! • So manystudents I work with don’t practice enough • The problems on your study schedule should include coding practice problems • Even if you are doing a written exam, while you're studying, actually TYPE the solution into a compiler and run it – If it doesn’t work, reading the error messages and fixing mistakes is good practice • Type up the code examples from lecture or books and tutorials – Don’t be passive
- 5. TAKE NOTES!!! • Evenif you’re not learning new material, if you keep making the same mistakes more than twice, WRITE IT DOWN • Make flashcards for the items and facts that you miss most often – Use them for quick, targeted study sessions • Even if the teacher gives you the lecture notes, be an active learner – Highlight important points or things you don't understand, and add your own examples or insights • You can also make notes in code examples as comments. If there are parts of the code you don't understand, note that, and then add a comment when you figure it out
- 6. Make the Mostof Lectures and Tutoring Sessions • Come prepared so that you use your time efficiently • Write down your questions/confusions before the session • Do any assigned reading for that topic before the session (AND TAKE NOTES) • Bring examples or problems you've been working on and let the tutor know where you're confused and what you've tried • Have all your materials ready and organized so that you're not scrambling and wasting time
- 7. Teach Others • Forma study group, and divide up topics among the group. Each person can do a "mini-lecture" or write a one-pager to share with the rest of the group • Share and compile your notes • Help each other with questions • If you don't do well in groups, you can still write or do a PowerPoint, but do it as if you're teaching someone else • If you can’t explain it, you probably don’t understand as well as you think you might
- 8. More Resources • StudyTips ebook (Kindle or PDF): http://wp.me/P6x8lb-6W • Stressed out? http://cloudyheavengames.com/stressed-and- discouraged-computer-science-students-all-is- not-lost/ • More tips: http://cloudyheavengames.com/computer- science-exam-study-tips/