Organization while studying for comps

[Elli389]

Anyone with advice for organizing info while studying for comp exams?

What worked for you?

Just notes on the computer?

3 X 5 cards taped all over the walls???

All suggestions welcomed, I'm feeling overwhelmed.

[Sigaba]

What kinds of conversations have you had with the members of your exam committee for whom you will write?

IME, these conversations can help provide points/questions around which one can organize one's preparatory efforts.

[Elli389]

Thank you for the response, Sigaba.

I already have sets of exam questions; not "the" questions, of course, but questions that cover the material I will need to know.

But I find that I just keep copying the same notes, information, and sources in different places.

It seems that there must be a better way of unifying the information and making it readily accessible for review, but I have not figured out a way to do this...

[Sigaba]

I recommend that you reach out to ABDs who have taken exams administered by members of your committee. I recommend that you ask them for guidance but that you frame your questions very carefully.

You specifically want to avoid opening any wounds (because, as you're learning, preparing for qualifying exams is painful, and, as you will learn, taking qualifying exams is even more painful). You will want to avoid the appearance of impropriety. You will also want to be mindful of individual differences as well as the state of mind of a post-quals graduate student. That is, someone who has gone through what you're going through can still be emotionally drained from the experience. He/she may not yet have the perspective to give dispassionate guidance. (She could have done exceptoinally well on her exams, but she's a perfectionist so she may think she "blew it." He may appear nonchalant and say the exams were "no big deal" even though he's going to be licking his wounds for months--if not years--to come.)

I also recommend that, as soon as possible, you come to a firm understanding of the conditions under which you'll be taking your exams. Will you be allowed to use a computer, if so, what kind? Will you have to write your answers by hand? In what room will you be taking the exams, and at what time? These kinds of questions will allow you to prepare for the inevitable gremlins. For example, if a professor wants you to take your exam in his office, and you know his mouse is lousy, you might be able to negotiate using your own. Or, if you're going to be in a room that is typically frigid, you will know to take warm clothes and, potentially, make informed dietary choices when it comes to your pre-exam meal.

HTH.

[Usmivka]

I agree that other members of your department who have recently gone through quals are an excellent resource. They may be able to tell you how they organized their study, provide copies of old exams or practice exams, mention whether any faculty members had a particular focus to their oral or written questions that has been consistent over multiple years of exams, or just provide moral support (which can be nice).

It is unclear to me from these posts what format the exam will take. Is it an oral exam? Written? Both? General knowledge or presenting you prequals work?

[Elli389]

Well first of all I have to apologize for not thanking you both sooner for your advice.

But, belatedly; thank you for the excellent suggestions and observations.

(I've been too busy having a nervous breakdown to behave like a civilized person.)

I must say that the ABDs I asked about their exams/exam prep were kind of vague in their responses.

As I go along I'm learning that professors have such completely different approaches to exams that it is hard to make any generalizations.

Primarily, it seems as though eveyone wants to leave you in the dark about what to expect and how to prepare.

Is it some kind of a conspiracy???

I've settled on outlining essays and making cards to memorize lit and my essay outlines - we'll see if it works.

Sigaba, I really appreciate your suggestions about the practicalities of the exam (room, computer, etc.); those are the types of things that it is easy to overlook, but that can make a significant difference in the exam experience.

Again, thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts.

Edited August 5, 2012 by Elli389