Advice from your peers

Students often ask me for advice on how to be successful in Psych 202, and it sometimes seems as if there is only so much in the way of suggestions that I can offer. Recently I decided to survey my current students to see what they had learned about being successful in the class.

I asked them to complete the following sentence: "When starting this class, I wish I had known . . .

Make use of the available resources

I've noticed that this class has a multitude of sources of information. You can learn from quizzes, lecture, podcasts, slides, extra readings, reviews, etc. HOWEVER, you have to decide which way is best for you. If you're like me and you like to go out on the weekends and you're full time, you have to pick and choose which ways you learn. It was hard for me because I couldn't organize what I should use and when. NOW I know I learn the fastest by quizzes and readings. Podcasts go in one ear and out the other. Just for an example.
Do EVERYTHING you can to do well on the exams...including reading all texts, doing practice quizzes online, questions at the end of chapters, listen to podcasts, going to lecture and take detailed notes...do all of these more than once too. You may feel you understand it all but the exams are very very difficult. The material is very interesting so its not too painful. Also do ALL extra credit, its not that hard just takes time.
That I didn't necessarily need to focus on all the text. It wasn't until the third exam that I realized I only needed to thoroughly read the sections in the text that correlated with material covered in lecture. Also, making notecards that contained info from lecture, the book, and podcasts are really helpful.
that reading the book multiple times was completely crucial, and that going to office hours actually does help. Listening to the podcasts are also beneficial since they use almost all the same examples that are used in class, but nothing can replace actually attending lecture.
how to combine all the resources well in order to study for the tests.
1. Material builds off past material, so do not fall behind on concepts. For example, you need to really understand cognitive psychology to understand cognitive approaches to topics.
2. Review the in-class clicker questions. They are most like the test questions. Going along with that, do not just study definitions or you will do horrible on tests. You have to understand how to apply concepts to situations. Rarely does a test question ask for the correct definition of a word.
3. I am generally too shy and nervous to approach teachers and TAs for extra help, but I can see that would have helped me a lot. I should have just done it and not been a baby.
4. Using one resource will not help you adequately prepare for an exam. For example, I always listen to all of the podcasts, but unless I read the book, study my notes, take the practice quizzes too, then I will not do as well.
5. To ask questions.
that podcasts were going to be crucial in me gaining all of the necessary material to do well in this class.
resources like podcasts are useful. Lectures are very important.
how much the podcasts can help
How important all the sources of information were. You can't just read the book and expect to do well in the class.
the best way for me to study. There are lots of different options for how to study for the exams, but you need to find out which method is the best for yourself.
how to study for the exams. There's a lot of information (readings, leacture, podcasts and quizzes online). It's difficult to sift through everything and figure out what exactly should/should not be learned. I would recommend to focus more on lectures, podcasts and the online quizzes than simply reading the book.
To really study the book and podcasts because not everything gets covered in class.
To go to EVERY review session Dr. H offers. Those review sessions were an extremely valuable study tool. Also, take as many quizzes to practice the material as possible, they're great examples of what the tests will look like. In addition, take notes on all of the experiments that relate to the topics that are included in the lectures because they'll help you remember the material for the test!
how helpful the podcasts were
That it is important to do the practice problems.
that the podcasts were going to be such a help. Also, this is a class where slacking will ruin you, so it has to be taken seriously at all times. I encourage future students to participate in the extra credit research experiments because they're not difficult and are a great opportunity to improve one's grade
When starting this class, I wish I had known how to study for psychology. The problem I have in this class is I have too many ways to study for the exam: quiz, book, note, podcast, and other way to study for the exam. I hope this class could have some essay and more homework in order to put more percentage for the grade. I have been studying really hard in this class but do not get what I expected because I should focus more study skill at once, which means I used book, podcast, note, and quiz for me study at the same time. However, what I did was I used so many ways to study for the class and confused myself very much. Therefore, I should set up a schedule for myself about what should I study every day, and this is my advice.
...to listen to the podcasts prior to the week before the exam. They really help reinforce what we learn in class, and I've realized I take more in when I listen to them after the lecture than right before the test.
that when studying for exams, It is extremely important to take advantage of every resource that Dr. H gives you. There are so many different ways to study with the book, lecture notes, podcasts, and quizzes. All of these combined turned out to help me exponentially when I took my time to study each for an exam.
I've noticed that this class has a multitude of sources of information. You can learn from quizzes, lecture, podcasts, slides, extra readings, reviews, etc. HOWEVER, you have to decide which way is best for you. If you're like me and you like to go out on the weekends and you're full time, you have to pick and choose which ways you learn. It was hard for me because I couldn't organize what I should use and when. NOW I know I learn the fastest by quizzes and readings. Podcasts go in one ear and out the other. Just for an example.
to take the review quizzes many times so you are prepared to answer questions in a multiple choice format.
To take notes on the chapters, do the quizzes multiple times, go to office hours, study with others, and apply the concepts before the exam.
To listen to the podcasts.
that reading the text before lecture is the best way to enhance learning in Psych 202.
to listen to the podcasts!!
that office hours were beneficial!!!! GO!
that i really should have just read the book and used lectures as references
that the review quizzes were so helpful

Learning is more than memorizing

That you need to KNOW the terms and concepts and not just be able to recognize them.
that the questions require more knowledge than just memorization of the facts but a understanding of the knowledge as a whole. Having an understanding of the material allows you to interpret what the best answer is because a lot of the answers seem like they could work.
Don't just listen to the podcasts, take notes as well. Also when studying don't just memorize the definition of a concept, understand the concept in real life situations. Finally, do the practice quizzes, they provide the real life situations that help you better understand the concepts. There are multiple versions of each quiz.
that just a general understanding of the concepts isn't always enough to do well on the tests. You really need to think in-depth about everything and be able to apply it to realistic situations.
That it's very important to take excellent notes in class. Not to just copy down the information on the slide, but to definitely take notes about what the professor is saying because that is the most helpful information when it comes to the exam. I would even suggest for new students to record the professor's lectures so that they can listen to them again when they are reviewing the material.
that studying for psychology is so much more successful if you connect different concepts as you are studying them or reading your text book. Simple memorization in your short term memory is not enough. The more connections you make, the more easily you'll be able to remember when you get to a question on the test. Actually think about what you are reading as you are reading it. * that the tests require you to apply your knowledge, not just memorize it. -Definitely harder to apply than memorize..
that the exams would be so application-oriented as opposed to the standard high-school level questions such as "Schizophrenia is_____"
The advice you gave us at first helped a lot; like take actual notes not just bullet points. It also helped to look at the practice quizes because i think it gave me a format of what the questions are like on tests. The tests ask questions that i wouldn't have guessed at first unless i looked at the practice quizes. Start studying in advance, there is way to much information to cram into one night.
that taking notes involves much more than just what is on the powerpoints
when going to lecture it is important to take notes on things not presented on the slides. Just because the slides give the bullet points, it's absolutely vital to expand on these points. When the time to take an exam comes, these sidenotes come in handy!

Good study habits are important to success

to read the textbook ahead of time and take notes as I go along. Also, to read the textbook very closely, as some questions on the exams can only be found in the book. Go to every lecture; this information cannot be learned elsewhere.
the study habits that I know now (take great lecture notes and relate them to the book's information).
I wish I had known how to think and prepare like I do right now. I have had to change the ways I think, take notes, and study in order to do well in this class. This has been for the better. The material has pushed me to see past the obvious meaning or answer and delve deeper into the concept. Learning has been much more beneficial and will carry with me in memory better than what I would have with my old study and thinking habits.
read the chapters before class.. it'll help. Make a review sheet for each chapter, and work off of that for general ideas.
that it is very help to really follow along with the chapters as you go along in the course, and then re-read them before exams...instead of just skimming the chapters as we go along and then reading them fully before exams.
The class is pretty straightforward, but I wish I had known the exactly how hard the tests were. I didn't study nearly as much as I should have and definitely did not study smart. By that I mean study a little bit of psychology every day and continue to build on what you know. Also quiz yourself constantly to reinforce concepts.
that reading the book is very important. Coming to lectures is necessary and going to office hours to ask what not to focus on for the test is a great way to focus your studying.
to read the book before lecture so you know what to expect and look over the slides. Also that you should make study guides off the notes and book together and really focus on the parts of the book that he talks about in class.
to have more faith in myself and also to read the book more often and at a steady pace
start studying ahead of time
i need to read the book more than i really think and study alot more for the exam than i think as well
how much work you have to put in to do well. It's a very challenging class, but with good study habits, and work ethic, you can do well.
To read more, listen to the podcasts, and study more than 2 days before the tests
Listen to the pod-casts, and take notes on everything in the book EVEN if he doesn't cover them in lecture, because there is still a chance that it will be on the exams.
that practice quizzes online are a great way to take a final check on each chapter.
i wish i would have known to take advantage of the podcasts earlier. I didn't use them as much on the first test but i saw a significant improvment on my other test when i listen to the pod casts.
that taking notes in lecture is not enough. You have to supplement what you learn in class with what you do on your own, such as reading the chapters or listening to pod casts. Don't rely on what you remember, but add on to your memory using different means of learning.
The importance of listening to the podcasts. There is so much information that you need to wire down in your head that the podcasts need to become an essential part of your review material. This class really pushes you to know every single lick of detail in the subject matter and it isn't a class that you can cram into a few days of studying. I wish I had also had a good idea of what to practice most and had looked at the study guide rather than simply doing the review quizzes. There are many course resources on learn@uw that enable you to do a lot of learning yet it takes a lot of effort and practice to get a firm grasp of the course material. The curve in this class is exceptionally challenging and going the extra mile to study is a must whether you like it or not. Consulting the instructor if you don't understand things is critical as well and getting together with friends to study and share insight. i probably would've received a better grade on the first exam had i done this.
How important it is to keep up with the reading and to take notes as you go along.
to read the chapters multiple times as well as listen to numerous podcasts prior to exams. I would also suggest making flash cards to study both lecture and book material
The importance of regular reading, cramming in several chapters is no way to study.
If you are a freshman and this is one of the first classes you have taken, and you have typically coasted through high school, beware! This is not a class that you can slack off in. If you KNOW that you will not be able to get yourself off of facebook and into the textbook, drop this class now. You will not do well if you don't practice the material.
That you should be continuously studying the entire semester, and keep reading the book. The book helps a lot and the quizes online. Also, the podcasts help a lot too!
That the best way to study is to read the notes before and after class to fully understand the material
Put in the time and effort for this class. You can't just get by by only coming to lectures. Read the book, take good notes, listen to the podcasts, go to office hours. There's so much information you can gain from this course but the only way that's going to happen is if you take the time to learn it.
that while coming to lectures is super helpful, it's not enough to come to lectures and then re-read your notes for exams! Tests are trickier than I thought they'd be, and simply reading over my notes and listening to podcasts is not sufficient studying.
How important it is to go over your lecture notes the SAME DAY as taking the class. It helps to fill in the gaps about what you wrote down and what you learned.
to do well you have to review a lot, not just before an exam.
how much work it takes to be a successful student at Madison! Everyone is smart, it is all about how much work you put in. There really isn't any downside to studying you feel much better about yourself and be better for it!
study the lecture notes HEAVILY... put the book off to the side and use it as a reference at most.
that you need to actually pay attention at the beginning!! The exams aren't technically cumulative but you definitely need to know the beginning stuff all the way thru!
How much studying i really have to do to get a good grade on the exams

Regular class attendance

That missing lecture actually does get you a lower grade on tests.
Go to every single lecture, as you will find that the exams are very fair and pretty much model his lecture notes. If you are not at lecture and you only read the book as students do in many classes, you will probably struggle. Go to class
to attend all the lectures.
Read the corresponding text in the book after each lecture/week/topic. I learned from the first mid-term exam that some information not covered in class could come up in the exam. As for the lectures, BE THERE!
That it it isn't as bad as everyone says.... Just go to class!
It is most certainly helpful to read the book and go to lecture which provide the basis of material in the course. Though I would of liked to of know at the beginning the usefulness of pod casts which help draw connections between the material allowing me to more easily recall the information. Also to emphasize the importance of going to lecture the one exam in which I missed a lecture my score on that particular exam was quite a bit lower then the rest. This may have been due to the difficulty of the material but it most certainly showed me the importance of lecture.
that going to class is important Being prepared
that printing out the lecture slides is key to keeping up during lecture, and that podcasts are a great tool for making sure you understand critical material.
That the best way to take notes is to print off the lecture slides and add notes as supplements to the slides
By the end of the semester I have come to learn a specific way to take notes that helped me a lot in this class. Before every class I would type up the notes on the lecture slides, then as we went through them in class I just listened to you and wrote down what wasn't on the slides, people may believe that this is the same and just more work as printing out the slides and writing on them, however this is just a more organized way and it also helps to not only get what your saying into my head but also what the slides say.
how beneficial typing the notes would be. You can edit them (adding notes from the book/class at different times) and reprint them out if you need to! I also wish I knew how interesting it would turn out to be.
I should do all the assignments ahead of time, because they're easy to forget about on the day that they are due.
that you have to stay on top of things to stay successful.
there is online homework. read the syllabus.
about all of the assignments and their stupid due dates. It has been killing me
Just how frequently you need to visit this page to keep up with assignments. I handled the reading just fine, but i kept forgetting about the quizzes.
print out the lecture slides before class!
how much preparation you need for tests

Read the textbook

The importance of regular reading, cramming in several chapters is no way to study.
Reading the book is important to be successful in this class as well as knowing the specifics behind theories. To do well on the exams it is better to rely on recall and not recognition.
READ READ READ the text... it is almost equally as important as going to class.
I wish I had known how important the book really is into succeeding in this class. At first I thought the material that we would be covering in lectures would make up the majority of the material on the exams, but really the book has so much information on the material on the exams. I think that if I had known the significance and the role of the book for the class in the beginning I would be doing a lot better.
the importance of reading the material before the lecture. If you know the material before the lecture, the lecture adds upon and increases your base knowledge of the subject. Before I started reading before lectures, I found my notes jumbled and incoherent. My notes also lacked detail. Since I've started reading the book before class, I've seen my notes become better and my ability to comprehend the material increase. Also, I wish I had listened to the podcasts. Sometimes, information is contained in the podcasts that you can't really get anywhere else (especially alternatively explained things), so they are important too.
Read the book! It is the only way you will have a chance at succeeding in this class. Also, don't miss a single lecture.
how much more important lecture notes are than the textbook. After performing very poorly on the first two exams, I started printing out the powerpoint slides to bring to class. I skimmed the book but made flashcards based on my lecture notes and scored a whole letter grade higher on the third exam.
How important it was to read the book thoroughly and to take advantage of all 15 points of extra credit.
how long the book readings take. I was so unmotivated to read them when I realized they were so long...
how much reading the book before the lecture helps you remember material.
that reading the chapters is VERY helpful.
to read the textbook more carefully
to read every detail of the textbook.
That the text book is your best friend (and so are the review quizzes), and just because the professor doesn't talk about the subject doesn't mean it won't be on the exams, study more than just one day for said exams, and get the extra credit done right away. Also, go check your exams with your TA to figure out what kinds of questions you get wrong. And always turn off your cellphone and don't talk during class.
READ THE BOOK OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN
how important reading the book was to getting a good grade in the class.
Read the textbook! it really matters! And believe yourself!
The amount of reading.

Exam tips

That the tests are very book based
I wish I knew how to answer the the exam questions. The wording and type of question proved very difficult for me. Review your previous exams...not for the information, but to remind yourself of the types of questions that are asked.
I wish I had known that the exams tested information beyond what was presented in the lectures. To correctly answer many of the exam questions, it was necessary to know the material in a more comprehensive manner which could only be achieved by reading the book. Additionally, I wish I could have used the practice quizzes more effectively on the earlier exams. The questions on the practice quizzes directly reflected the material that was going to be covered on the exam and presented questions in a similar form to the questions on the exam. To maximize the benefit of the quizzes, it was necessary to do them multiple times because each successive quiz usually had different questions. In general, they were a reliable indicator of how knowledgeable I was on the quiz's topic.
not to study for the exams by attempting the practice exams. Studying from the notes and the books is much more useful than the practice questions.
How difficult the exams would be.
how tricky the tests were
to not only read the book and do a few practice exams, but READ MY NOTES(!!) before exams. Most of the exam questions came directly from notes. Though some questions were word-for-word from the practice exams, the best study method for me was reviewing my notes. Also, READ TEST QUESTIONS CAREFULLY, checking for "except"/"not."
just because the final isnt cumulative doesnt mean the previous information doesnt matter. and reading the book makes a HUGE difference.
that the fact that exams are all multiple choice, actually makes it more difficult to get a good grade. The questions are tricky and there is no wiggle room to get partial credit (which might be possible with open-ended answers. I wish I had known right off the bat that it helps a lot to learn and study through a variety of methods (I didn't use the podcasts and take the quizzes for the first exam and I soon learned that they are very helpful.
i wish i had known how to better manage my time in preparation for these exams
to read the test questions carefully because they are tricky.
how important it is to spend many, many hours studying for the exams. The questions are often very specific, but fair. Also to better study the information print off the lecture slides before lecture, then take notes of the things the professor says in addition to the notes on the slide. Pretty much everything he says is extremely important and is fair game for the exams. It's to hard to take notes off the slide & what he's saying at the same time. So print off the notes and read the chapter before lecture, not after.

Miscellaneous tips

you don't need to buy the remote, its a waste of money because you dont take quizes in class. it is only used to answer in class questions which are not graded. you can answer in your head for free!
that it is important to understand specific facts and examples when studying.
That I didn't necessarily need to focus on all the text. It wasn't until the third exam that I realized I only needed to thoroughly read the sections in the text that correlated with material covered in lecture. Also, making notecards that contained info from lecture, the book, and podcasts are really helpful.
to not buy my book at the university bookstore. and to read things ahead of time.
to pay attention to the studies he talks about in lecture. Don’t worry!
That the curve should not be something to be scared of.
that you can do anything you set your mind to!
It's not as hard as you think it's going to be.

*How fun and animated the professor is and how he makes the lectures really interesting.