When professors announce that an exam will be in essay format, students experience several emotions. Some are ecstatic because they are better at writing than taking multiple-choice exams. Others are unsure or terrified because they struggle with formulating their ideas into words. Wherever you are on this spectrum, I’m here to help! Here are three tips for thriving on your essay exams:
1. Prepare in advance.
If you know you are going to be taking an essay exam, don’t think you can scrape by and skim the reading (or not read at all). Being a good reader makes you a better writer, so sit down with your coffee, grab the book or other readings your professor assigned, and get prepared. Knowing the big ideas in the readings ahead of time helps you prepare and keeps you from being overwhelmed when it comes time to study for your exams! It can be helpful to take notes on the big ideas as you are reading so you can remember them later. Then, when you go to study, you already have a pre-made study sheet you can use to make flashcards about the ideas, organize them by themes, or even just read through your notes to jog your memory.
2. Outline to stay organized.
Sometimes professors will assign essay prompts in advance. If this is the case, create a strong outline you can study before the exam. It could be as simple as writing down your thesis, topic sentences, and the texts you are going to use as evidence. Making these connections before you start the exam takes the pressure off of you trying to remember the basics of the reading and allows you to perform a more in-depth analysis of the prompt. Studying your outline will not only help you feel prepared, but your ideas will be organized, and your professor will be happy!
If your professor hasn’t given you the exact prompt, don’t panic! Chances are you have some idea of what the exam is going to cover. In preparation, summarize in writing the main ideas of the readings to remember how they relate to each other. Then, at the very beginning of the exam, take a few minutes to outline your response to the prompt. Your scratch outline might include a simple thesis statement, topic sentences, and ideas from the reading. Creating a brief outline before you begin writing will help jog your memory and keep your essay organized and on track. By having an outline, you can ensure that you’re keeping all your ideas together and that your professor will get to read an organized essay!
3. When in doubt, ask for help.
Your professors are here to help you succeed, so if you’re struggling, ask for help! Going to your professor’s office hours not only helps answer your questions, but it also shows the professor you care enough about the class to go the extra mile. If you aren’t sure what to ask, start with anything you are confused about or details about the essay, such as length, types of evidence required, or style. In doing so, you’re setting yourself up for success. The professors at Concordia want you to do well because they genuinely care that you’re becoming wise, honorable, and cultivated citizens. They are far more knowledgeable about the subject than you are, so take time to learn from them!
Hopefully, no matter how you feel about writing, these tips will help you prepare the next time your professor assigns an essay exam. As we head into the new semester, remember to be confident and use this ultimate guide to conquer your exams!
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Natalie Wellman is a senior majoring in behavioral science with an emphasis in psychology and a minor in communication. Although she is not an English major, she has always loved reading and writing! She is currently a part of the Concordia speech team, which allows her to be creative while talking about her passions and editing/organizing different types of writing. When she’s not at a speech practice or tournament, you can find her hanging out with friends, drinking boba, or off to Disneyland! She has the most experience with APA formatting, but she has also written papers in MLA and CMS. She has always loved helping people, so she is excited to help students who visit the Writing Studio achieve their best version of writing!