Building Study Skills Building Study Skills to Last a Lifetimeto Last a Lifetime

Kevin GriffithKevin GriffithVice PresidentVice President

Many students go through school without learning

the study skills essential to success and sanity in college and beyond.

Study Skills are Essential

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Study Skills

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• These skills (or the lack thereof) is often what determines whether one will succeed or fail in academics.

• We’re going to discuss some of those essential skills now. – Using SQ3R– Creating Schedules– Prioritizing– Combining Activities– Creating a Study Zone

Determine what you are going to read in the time you have allotted.•Survey•Question•Read•Recite•Review

SQ3R

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• Survey– Quickly and lightly scan through

all the pages you are going to read.

– Notice images, charts, graphs, layout, design.

– Just let your brain begin to prepare for the reading.

SQ3R

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• Question– Convert every header into a question.– For example, if the headers reads “Human

Communication” write in a question or two: • What is Human Communication?• How is Human Communication different from

other forms of Communication?

– Do this for every major header in the section you are going to read.• For complex reading you may need to convert

second level headers to questions as well.

SQ3R

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• Read (the 1st R)– Now begin reading…but read with PURPOSE.– Read to find the answer to the questions you just

generated with the headers.– Do something with the answer:• Highlight• Create a notecard• Add to a notes list

SQ3R

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• Recite (the 2nd R)– Get your questions and answers

OUT OF THE BOOK.• Notecards• Note pages• Poster board

– It is important that you do this activity within 24-48 hours of the initial reading.• This reinforces content and aids mastery.

SQ3R

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• Review (the 3rd R)– As the test approaches, you can now use study using the

notes that you took out of the book.– This will mark at least the 5th time your brain has

encountered the material from the book…this is a GOOD thing! • Research shows that repeated interaction with materials builds

long-term memory connections

– 5 times????1 = Survey, 2 = Question, 3 = Read, 4 = Recite, 5 = Review

SQ3R

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• There are many things going on that require your time and attention.

• Study time must be built in to your schedule and prioritized.

Create A Schedule

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• Use a planner or create your own.

• Include all– Class times– Quizzes, tests, and projects– Commuting or travel times– Study times– And some fun stuff too!

Create a Schedule

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• What is your study style?– Note cards– Note pages– Poster board– Recitation– Mind mapping– Time lines– Some combination?

Use a Mix of Study Tools

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• When are you at your best?– Mornings?– Afternoons?– Evenings?

• Just make sure you are reviewing class materials within an appropriate time after the class…don’t wait!

Carve out Study Time

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• How much time?– Set aside at least 1 hour a day of

UNINTERUPTED study time• The general rule of thumb is 1 hour of

study time for every 1 hour of class time• So, if you have a 3-hour class, you should expect

to study at least 3 hours each week for the class

– Set a timer to keep track of the time– Take short breaks between subjects

Carve out ENOUGH Study Time

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• Use the A, B, C system or something similar to determine what is a priority this week.– A test may mean more time in a particular

subject– Don’t skip studying for a class, but optimize

the time for your needs– Write the important dates of tests and

assignments in your planner/calendar and put them into your smart phone calendar too!

Prioritize your Tasks

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• Study with your notecards, notes pages, etc. while:– Waiting for your ride– Riding the bus– Riding to and from school– Waiting for an activity to begin– While getting a snack or meal

Combine Activites

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• A quiet area– NOT at the kitchen table– NOT on a bed, sofa, or bean bag– NOT where the TV or siblings are playing

• A designated study area– A chair and a table or desk– A place where ONLY studying takes place

• No distractions– No food, TV, music, phones, games,

computers (unless needed for the studying itself)

Create a Study Zone

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• What to keep in the Zone• Good lighting• Good ventilation• Comfortable chair• Space for all your materials• Water• Pencils, pens, calculator, paper

Create a Study Zone

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• There are different learning styles and approaches to study times.– Experiment and find what works for you.

• Most colleges have learning “labs” or tutoring centers…they can help you find something that will work for you!

• Look up “Study Skills for Students” on the web – there are a lot of good ideas out there!

• Ask successful peers what works for them

Take Advantage of Other Resources

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• Developing good study skills should start as soon as possible

• Organizational skills and time management skills are important for students to manage the demands on their time in college

• Having a system – how to study, when to study, where to study, etc. – will give your student the edge

Wrap Up

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