After reading the article, “How to
Answer Case Study Questions”, I find the recommendations are not that
different from what I do, and have been doing, on a regular basis. King (n.d.)
outlines six basic steps consisting of: finding practice tests and completing
them to become more familiar with the case study, relaxing the day of the test,
reading and listening for the topic sentence in order to provide the best
possible answer, focusing on the overall meaning of the case and scope of the
issue, imagining and visualizing the problem and scenario, and slowing down. With
the exception of the first two, which do not apply as I am not prepping for a
test, the remaining four are steps I am currently taking as I prepare to write
my Service-Learning Project.
The first two steps, finding
practice tests, and the relaxing the day of a test, have been a part of my study
habit since high school. It became a crystal-clear method when I took my driver’s
license test. I had taken it once before. My father drove me to the driver’s
license office. I passed the written segment; it was the driving test that was
my downfall. I had a car without power steering and the three-point turn became
a five-point nightmare. Needless to say, I was devastated. It was my
grandfather who drove me to my second test. He never once mentioned the test.
He stopped at the local Handy-Way convenience store and bought me a Hershey
bar. He had completely managed to get my mind off of the test so that when the
three-point turn presented again; I was able to master it. Since that time, the
day of a test begins with a relaxation routine that always includes a Hershey
bar. As I begin to gather my thoughts for the final paper, I find myself
focusing on the third point, answering the question that is being asked.
I have read the instructions and
prompts for the Service-Learning project; today, I re-read it and began to
underline the key areas of analysis that are to be included. I underlined key
concepts and topics that are to be in the final paper. I have also started
re-reading my journal entries as this will help me to remember and organize my
thoughts. After identifying major elements, I then follow those points outlined
in number four, focusing on what the study question means. In other words, what
is the extent of the case study and the problems presented, and, do I understand
the nature of the study? In order to have a clear understanding, I sent my instructor an e-mail so I would know the format to be followed.
As I have stated before, I am a
visual person. I do quite a bit of imagining and visualizing. I try to put myself
in the described situation and ask myself what I would do in that situation. It
has led to quite a few conversations I have with myself; ones wherein I answer
myself, too. This process reminds me of the episode of The Big Bang Theory wherein Sheldon Cooper is perplexed by a string
theory problem. He eventually takes a job as a waiter to get his mind off of
the problem at hand. His answer becomes clear after he drops a tray of dishes
and sees the answer in his mind. By walking away, or by performing some other
chore, like laundry, my mind focuses on something else; but, the wheels
continue to turn in the background. That is usually when ideas come to me and I
quickly jot them down. This process also helps me with King’s (n.d.) final
point, slowing down. Many times I am not certain how to address a prompt; so,
diversion allows me time to think and come back with a cleared mind. Shopping is another method I use when I am working on a project. Even if I do not buy something, the break away from the project at hand allows me to slow down.
For me, all of King’s (n.d.) points
hold validity as they make sense. They are applicable to any class or case
going forward; and they are very much a part of my own routine. Practice tests
take the mystery out of test taking and help me to be better prepared. I am
constantly re-reading and going in search of other sources that will help me
have a better understanding of the entire problem that is before me. I imagine
the scenario and try to put myself in the situation. I slow down. It is amazing
what happens when you allow yourself to walk away and breathe. Finally, I have
never tested well when I am a ball of nerves. I am forever grateful to my
grandfather who first taught me the art of relaxation before any type of test.
I honor his memory and the lessons learned each time I have coffee and a Hershey
bar before a test.
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