In preparing for an essay exam, largely it's going to
be the class readings, the textbook, and your
class notes from lectures and discussions that you have to rely on as your sources for information. Try to anticipate, if
not the actual questions, should you not have
them. Try to anticipate the areas, the subjects, the topics that your professor is likely
to ask you on any exam, going through the course,
the syllabus, the notes, the lectures that you'll be studying. Ask questions of your notebooks. What happened, why did it happen? What were the causes of
these events or developments? And why are they important,
what do they mean? Studying this way has
a number of advantages. First of all, it will help
you eliminate material that is irrelevant or less
relevant to your project. It will also help you
see what you don't know. If you're just trying
to memorize material, you may well memorize it and know it.

and it may have nothing to do with helping you answer a question
that you get on an exam. But if you can't explain
why something happened, if you can't explain a cause that led to a particular effect,
you'll know that you have a problem when you're studying. You'll know that there's
a gap in your knowledge. That's the time to ask
your professor a question. If you can answer those
questions while you're studying about the topics that you've covered for a given exam, you will
be well ahead of the game. And as I said, I think
you will be more relaxed, more sure of yourself, more
confident in your knowledge when you come to take the exam. - [Laura] This is an example of one of the study cards that I would typically make. This was for Robespierre, one of the leaders of the French Revolution. And the questions one of my
professors taught me to answer.

when I made index cards, was always to answer who, when, where, and why. So when I make the card, I just write one or two sentences that answers those questions. So who was he, he was a French politician and leader. When, the Reign of Terror, and then I also have a date, the 1790s. And why, his key role, he helped to develop the Reign of Terror. - I use flash cards if I know there's identifications. If it's an essay, I will sit down, write an outline. Study groups, I'm at a big favor for study groups. Even for people who are like, Well I don't really know anyone in my class, I'm like, Just generally discuss it, just bring it up and say, 'Hey, you know, I'm gonna be 'in the library studying at this time if anyone 'wants to join me, I think it would really help us.'

Study groups really help, especially if they're essay-based questions 'cause you can discuss it. As you take one history course and another and another, you get better at analyzing, making arguments, identifying themes, and so, it's just kind of a building blocks process. I mean, that's how it is for me now (chuckles). I mean, memorization is there, but it's more of recognizing different themes.

How to Study for a History Exam

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