How to Study for A&P(and almost anything else)

Adapted from Lori K. Garrett

Think about the way you currently study…

What has been successful? Not successful?

Does your motivation influence your study habits? How?

Do your teachers/peers/family members influence your study habits? How?

Can study habits be changed?

Let’s get started… Write a commitment to yourself:

Commitments can be anything, but they need to be specific, be measurable, and have a timeframe.

Examples:

I am going to study _____ hours a day at _____ (location).

I will have a _____ (grade) at midterm and a _____ (grade) at the end of the semester.

Publicly state it. Share your commitment with a neighbor.

Now turn to another neighbor and share it again.

Accept responsibility for your own effort. Think of possible obstacles and plan (2 solutions) around them.

Taking Notes in Class I often cannot wait for every person to copy everything from the board/screen.

However, taking notes can help reinforce the neural pathways, so do it as much as possible.

Use abbreviations.

Write the main ideas in your own words.

Use the time in class to listen and ask questions.

Usually, the presentation will be on Swift.

Bring a copy to class, or check them to make sure you got all the notes.

Highlight key terms and main ideas.

As soon after class as possible read through your notes. Improve them if needed (add missing info, highlight, etc).

Procrastinator’s CreedSometimes I wait, until its late

Because I procrastinate.

To get things done, I must do

Some things I don’t really want to.

Even 15 miutes at a time

Will get me started, I’ll be just fine.

Time to leave distrations behind

When I get an A I won’t mind.

I’ll do the daunting first

And then I’ll be done with the worst.

Its in my power to not procrastinate

And when I succeed I should celebrate!

No Cramming Allowed

Besides bad study habits, what do you think of when I say the word cram/crammed/cramming?

Right! Cramming is like shoving more clothes into an already full closet and slamming the door– What happens when you open the door?

Same thing happens when you open your brain-door after cramming- everything just “falls out”.

This can lead to very messy, hard to organize, mixed up information.

It is NOT EFFECTIVE. Instead, you should…

Review What You’ve Learned Make sure you make studying a priority.

Block off sacred time in your busy schedule.

Find a good place to study- avoid distractions.

Relate studying to your goals.

Study for short periods of time, but consistently.

Take a 10-15 minute break for every hour of study.

Make sure that you understand the concepts and you’re not just memorizing.

For your brain to be kind to you, you have to be kind to it: Eat & hydrate, SLEEP, chill.

Order of Operations

1. Do specific assignments (lab reports, projects).

2. Go over the most recent notes.

3. Read/watch any corresponding materials.

4. Quiz yourself.

5. Review notes one more time. Write down a list of things you need further clarification of.

6. Q3B4Me

Lock it into the Long-term

Long-term memory formation requires active learningDon’t just memorize- UNDERSTAND

Understanding means that you can EXPLAIN it, not just define it. Take notes while reading/watching. Re-read/watch as many

times as needed.Develop and answer questions (think teachery thoughts).Check/quiz yourself.Occasionally study with a buddy/group. Quiz each other.

Study tools

Brainstorm…

Study Group

When studying alone you may not be aware of what you don’t know.

In a group you can: Clarify ideas

Quiz each other

Split up the material then teach each other

Discuss

Help and support one another

Meet while you are in class, or right after school.

Test Taking Peruse the whole test to see if there are sections that you

might need to set aside time for or do first.

Read each question thoroughly before answering.

Look for questions on the backs of pages.

Be aware of point values, and how many questions need to be answered to achieve a Meeting.

Look for context clues in the questions (always, never, most, some, all, none, is, is not).

Answers might be hidden in plain sight.

Multiple Choice Cover the answers until you finish reading the question. Try to

give your own answer before uncovering the answers.

If you initially don’t know the answer: Identify what you do know.

Use the process of elimination and narrow down your choices.

After answering a question: Check that it is clearly marked and the one you want.

LEAVE IT ALONE.

Don’t worry if you chose the same letter several times in a row.

Think Positive! Surround yourself with supportive people who are

positive, know your goals, and are proud of you. Many of you are going to use this information for

the rest of you education/career, so remember to look at the big picture. You are learning this information so you can pursue your dreams, not so you can pass an exam.

Be encouraged! YOU CAN DO THIS!