Always Playing Catch Up?

Ok you've taken the test and you've gotten a lower grade than you hoped for. You look at the ones you missed and you say, 'I know how to do those now.' Does this sound like you? Why is it that you know the concepts but the test doesn't reflect your 'knowledge?'

One of two things is at work here:

1. Either you understand but haven't put yourself through a simulated test taking experience, thus proving to yourself that you need more practice.

2. You are in fact catching on but you are a half step behind where you need to be to really excel on your test.

In the former situation, more practice is the remedy. Make sure you aren't just a spectator but an active participant and are putting pencil to paper and working through the steps yourself. If you are in the second camp, you need to get ahead of the game. You need to flip the situation around to where you are a half step ahead. You can do this on your own or with a friend or tutor. Here's what you do: right before class or the night before quickly skim the next section and mentally create the container for what's coming. Some teachers jump around, so you can periodically ask your teacher what's coming up next. You can also preview upcoming topics with a tutor or even watch a few Youtube videos. Hope that helps...if you KNOW a fastball, sinker, or curveball is coming you'll be ready for it.

The end of the third quarter is quickly approaching and with the onset of some nice weather ahead keep focused and prioritize your studying.