Article: Know when the test will be given so it doesn't surprise you. Come up with a schedule so you can have adequate time to study for the test. If the material is easier, you may not need as long as you will if the material is more difficult. Allowing yourself adequate time to study will help you do better. One of the best ways to pass a test is to study the information every day. Cramming for the test at the last minute is not a good practice and can lead to failure. Instead, spend 30-60 minutes every day studying the material you went over in class that day. If you don't want to study every day, spend the week or two before the exam studying every day. This gives you time to revisit concepts you don't quite understand and allows you time to absorb the information. If you don't understand something, studying beforehand gives you enough time to ask the teacher about it in class. Look at previous tests you have taken in the class. What things did the teacher mark wrong? What kind of things is she/he looking for in answers? Figuring this out can help you study better and improve your answers. Also look at the types of questions your teacher asks. Do they focus mostly on broad concepts or specific examples? This can help you study more effectively. Ask your teacher for sample tests. Some teachers and professors will provide sample tests for students. If you are taking a standardized test, it is extremely important to take sample tests to get an idea of how the test will be structured. Look at previous homework assignments, too. Many times, teachers will use homework questions on the test, or write questions in a similar way. Instead of studying the same way every night, change how you study. Spend one night reading the textbook, one night learning terms and definitions, one night studying with flashcards, and one night taking practice tests. While studying, go through your textbook and your class notes. Look for the most important concepts. This may include things that are brought up again and again, concepts that are explained in detail, or things your teacher told you was important. Listen closely to your teacher when they lecture. They could give hints about what material will show up on the test. Make a note of this in your notes in case you forget. If you are struggling with the material, go to a tutoring session. This might be from your teacher or professor, or maybe the school tutoring services. You may also ask a classmate who understands the material to help you. Though you will be reviewing all of your notes and the chapters, you should also make yourself a review sheet. This sheet includes all the major terms, concepts, and ideas that will be on the test. Think of it like the highlights of the material. Having it on this separate sheet makes it easily reviewable and might help you remember it better. If the teacher gives you a study guide, make sure that you complete it. This is a great way to review the material. Many times, teachers will pull questions directly from the study guide or reword questions from the study guide. Study guides also help you focus your studying so you study the correct material. Gather a few classmates from your class to study together. Quiz each other, come up with possible test questions, and use each other's notes to fill in gaps in your own notes. You also can help explain concepts to each other that you might be confused about.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Give yourself enough time to study for the test. Study before the test. Analyze previous tests. Mix up your studying techniques. Find the most important concepts. Get tutored. Make a review sheet. Complete the study guide. Form study groups.

Different therapists have differing approaches to therapy. It's important to get a sense of how a therapist would proceed if you were to begin sessions with him. Ask the therapist how he would want to proceed with treatment, and whether he uses any particular therapeutic modality in his practice. Then read up about that treatment plan to see if you think it could help you. A good therapist will suggest different techniques and treatment strategies for you to work on at home between sessions. Find out about the therapist's projected treatment plan. You should specifically ask how many sessions you can expect to have, how long each session will last, and what kind of timetable you can expect for results. It may seem like a strange question to ask a marriage counselor you're interested in working with, but it can also be a very important thing to know. Some marriage counselors urge their clients to leave the marriage when things get rocky, either because of the therapist's beliefs or her unwillingness to continue working through problems. This may be the mark of a poor therapist for your needs, especially if you're committed to working through your problems no matter what. You should specifically ask the therapist at what point she considers divorce to be a viable option and when she thinks you should try to stop or avoid it. Each therapist brings his own set of values to the practice of marriage counseling, which can be good, bad, or neutral. However, those values shouldn't intrude on your therapy in problematic ways. It's important to determine what your therapist's values are to ensure that he will be a good fit for you and your partner moving forward. If a therapist says there is only one way to have a successful marriage, you should consider finding someone else to work with. Ask a therapist you're interested in what his personality is like. That may give you some insight into how well he'd fit with you and your spouse. Determine what kinds of patients the therapist works with before you describe your problem. That way you'll know whether he can help you right off the bat. Describe yourself, your spouse, and your marital problem(s). Ask the counselor how he thinks the first session or two might go when dealing with that problem to get a sense of what to expect. There are many therapeutic approaches that are generally recognized as being effective and medially-sound. It may be a good idea to find out what kinds of therapeutic approaches your counselor uses to see if it would fit well with your needs. Two common evidence-based approaches to marriage counseling are Emotionally-Focused Couples Therapy and the Gottman Method. Emotionally-Focused Couples Therapy works to rebuild the foundation of a marriage by focusing on repairing trust, fostering emotional intimacy, and rekindling feelings of love and affection. The Gottman Method works to rebuild a marriage by first changing the behaviors of each partner. This method emphasizes communication skills, conflict resolution, strengthening the friendship within a marriage, and being more caring/considerate partners to one another. Marriage counseling should not feel like a never-ending pursuit. Early in the counseling, you and your partner should set concrete goals with your therapist so that the ensuing sessions have some direction and focus. Each subsequent session should have those goals in mind and should work to help you and your partner find ways to meet your goals. You won't see results overnight, but if you haven't seen any improvement in your marriage after several weeks' worth of sessions, you may want to consider looking for another therapist. A good therapist should make both spouses feel respected and heard. If your therapist takes sides or "gangs up" on you or your spouse, you should consider looking for another therapist. Don't get frustrated. Saving a marriage takes time and effort from both you and your partner, you won't be able to do it alone. If the therapist you're seeing isn't helping you reach your clearly-defined goals, it's worth your marriage to find one who will.
++++++++++
One-sentence summary --
Compare strategies and treatment plans. Ask your therapist's opinion on divorce. Determine your therapist's values. Look for evidence-based approaches. Evaluate your progress.