Okay, so I’ve been diving deep into abnormal psychology lately, and let me tell you, it’s a wild ride. I decided to really buckle down and prepare for this exam, “Exam 1 Abnormal Psychology,” and I figured I’d share my whole process, bumps and all.
Getting Started (and Feeling Overwhelmed)
First things first, I gathered all my materials. Textbooks, lecture notes, online resources – the whole shebang. I even printed out some of those dense academic articles (my eyes did not thank me later). I spread everything out on my desk, and honestly, I just stared at it for a good ten minutes, feeling completely overwhelmed. It was like a mountain of information, and I had no idea where to even begin.
Tackling the Textbook
I decided to start with the textbook. Seemed like the most logical place, right? I tried to read it cover to cover, but my brain started turning to mush around chapter three. So, I switched tactics. I started skimming the chapters, highlighting what seemed like key terms and concepts. Then, I went back and focused on those highlighted sections, taking notes in my own words. This was way more manageable.
- Skim the chapter.
- Highlight key terms.
- Go back and take detailed notes.
Making Sense of the Lectures
Next up, I tackled my lecture notes. Some of them were pretty good, others… well, let’s just say I wasn’t always the most attentive student. I rewatched some of the recorded lectures (thank goodness for technology!), pausing and rewinding to make sure I actually understood what the professor was saying. I find that filling any gaps in my notes, especially on topics that seemed confusing the first time around.
The Dreaded Practice Questions
I did some pratical questions, and put all of incorrect questions together.
Then, I focused on these incorrect answers.
I reviewed the related materials and lectures again and again.
Getting those materials into long time memory.
The Final Push (and a Lot of Coffee)
The day before the exam, I reviewed everything again. All my notes, the highlighted textbook sections, the practice questions – the whole deal. I even tried to explain some of the concepts out loud to my cat (he wasn’t very impressed). And, of course, I fueled myself with copious amounts of coffee.
Finally, I took the exam. And I think I did pretty well.
