INPUT ARTICLE: Article: If you don't have your own, make sure to have a copy of the notes from someone who you trust. Re-reading your notes is important, but it is not enough. Go over and highlight key words and concepts or use post-its to signify important sections.  Try writing summaries of your notes for each chapter or major concept.  Write them in the simplest terms on a separate piece of paper. These summaries can help guide your study day. Read your notes out of order as you review them. This will allow you to make sure you know each piece of information on its own, rather than part of a series. Make sure you are saying the information out loud as you review it. It will be easier to remember if your brain is hearing and pronouncing and not merely reading the information.  Try teaching a chapter or concept to an imaginary student.  This will force you to fully articulate the subject. It will be clear whether or not you have a handle on the material if you try to explain it to someone else. You can also do this with a study group or partner. As you prepare lots of last-minute memorization, it will be helpful if you use some memorization techniques.  Re-writing information over and over again may help it stick in your brain. Make sure to copy the fact or idea at least three times for this method to work. Use mnemonic devices. Mnemonic devices are techniques that help your brain retain information. Creating rhymes, acronyms, and songs that you can associate with the material will help you recall it. Write terms and their full definitions on a set of notecards or cue cards. This will allow you to test yourself throughout the day. They are also useful on the day of the test, as you can review them on the bus, or in line for lunch. Simply re-reading your textbook will not help you retain information, especially when you only have one day to study. Look for chapter summaries and bolded keywords as you review and pay attention to chapter introductions and conclusions, as they usually contain essential summarizing information. Look for review questions at the end of chapters, or in the back of your textbook. It is important to be testing yourself whenever possible to better gauge what you still need to work on. A study guide is an effective way to force you to review all your material. It can also be useful to look over the day of the test for a quick refresher. Type out a list of all the material you need to cover, including key terms, dates, and concepts. Next, go back and fill in each area using your notes, either typed or handwritten. Putting these ideas into your own words and writing them out will really help cement them in your mind. A friend or classmate may have created their own study guide which you might be tempted to borrow when you are short on time. However, the act of creating your own study guide will force you to put the information into your own words and copying out the material will help it stick in your mind. Even with a time crunch, you need to make sure you prepare properly for the test depending on the format that it takes. Refer to the syllabus or your class notes to establish what format the test will take. If you are unsure, be sure to contact a classmate so you are studying for the right thing.  For multiple choice tests, questions will usually be geared towards smaller details and facts, as well as vocabulary and definitions. There may also be questions about sequences and steps. Questions that ask about the similarities and differences between things are also common on multiple choice tests. While it may be difficult to memorize all the tiny details with a limited amount of time, focus on specific areas rather than attempting to conquer the entire subject.   For essay or short answer tests, you will be asked to have a good understanding of wide themes and ideas. Try preparing a few sample questions based on the textbook and syllabus. Time yourself for 15 minutes and write out a detailed outline for each question, as if you were going to turn it into a full essay. Be sure to memorize some key terms and examples that you can use for support in your essay questions during the actual test.

SUMMARY: Review your notes. Say it out loud. Use memorization tricks. Make flash cards. Use your textbook effectively. Create a study guide. Study for the test you are taking.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Try not to compare your post-baby body to your friend who can somehow fit into a size 2 after giving birth or to celebrities who are photographed in bikinis after they have a baby. Giving birth affects every woman’s body in different ways, and comparing yourself to others will only lead to unrealistic expectations and negative thoughts. Focus instead on your body and your needs, rather than the post-baby bodies of others.  Start by blocking out images from the media that show “perfect” post-baby bodies. Avoid looking at celebrities and models who appear perfect and skinny as new moms in magazines and online. You may also have to unfollow other new moms on social media for a while. Try to celebrate your new body shape and not stress as much about having the “perfect” body. Women who have recently given birth will often have bigger breasts, fuller hips, and carry more weight overall. Dress in ways that flaunt your new shape so you can see these changes as assets, rather than issues to be fixed.  For example, you may wear a low cut top to show off your new cleavage. Or you may wear belts high on your waist to accentuate your new curves. You can also wear clothing that hug your new shape so you can feel confident and sexy in your post-baby body. Put together a few outfits that are comfortable and that make you feel confident and rotate these outfits for a while. You might also consider buying yourself a few new outfits that you can wear during this time. Embrace your post-baby body by using positive affirmations on a daily basis. Remind yourself that you are beautiful, strong, and important person. Use “I” statements when you say the affirmations, preferably to your reflection in the mirror first thing in the morning.  For example, you may use positive affirmations like, “I am beautiful and strong” or “I accept and love my body as it is.” You can also try affirmations like “I will not worry about my body right now” or “I will not compare my body to others.” Also, try to remind yourself of what your body allowed you to do: grow and give birth to a child. Verbalize your gratefulness for this experience. Some new moms have found it helpful to embrace their post-baby body with a photo shoot celebrating their appearance. You may arrange a photo shoot where you are naked, exposing your body in all its glory. You may also get photographs with your newborn baby to celebrate the new addition to your family.  Search online for photographers who do post-baby photo shoots. You can also ask new moms if they have gotten a post-baby photo shoot and if they would recommend doing one to help celebrate their post-baby body. Many moms avoid being photographed during this time, but having photos of you and your baby together will be something that your child will treasure when they are older.

SUMMARY:
Avoid comparing your body to others. Flaunt your new shape. Use positive affirmations. Do a post-baby photo shoot.