P R O C R A S T I N A T I O N - W H A T I S I T ? H O W T O A V O I D I T .

S T U D Y I N G - H O W O F T E N S H O U L D I S T U D Y ?- W H E R E S H O U L D I S T U D Y ? - H O W D O I A R R A N G E M Y T I M E ?- H O W D O I S T U D Y T H E M A T E R I A L ?

E S S A Y W R I T I N G - W H E N D O I S T A R T A N E S S A Y ?- H O W D O I S T A R T A N E S S A Y ?- W H A T D O I P U T I N A N E S S A Y ?

STUDY SKILLS, ESSAY WRITING & TEST TAKING

PROCRASTINATION

What is it?

Procrastination is putting off or avoiding doing something that must be done. Excessive procrastination can interfere with academic success as tasks will be done poorly and at the last minute to meet deadlines or handed in late. Late material will result in the loss of marks and impact your final grade.

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Why do students procrastinate? Perfectionism – Are your standards so high that you are unable

to meet them? What is good enough?

Fear of Failure – Do you lack confidence in your ability to do the work?

Confusion – Are you unclear of the professor’s expectations?

Poor Motivation – Do you put off studying because the material is boring or you think you know it?

Difficulty Concentrating - Are you easily distracted?

Lack of Priorities -

Are your studies the main priority in being at SWC?

Do you have trouble recognizing what are the most important tasks – those you study or do first?

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How do I avoid procrastination?

1. Prioritize tasks based on: Due dates

The amount of material to be covered and time required

Percentage of overall mark this assignment represents

2. Seek help if expectations are not clear Ask your professor or your classmates for clarification

or specific questions

Bring a draft of essay or notes to the professor to make sure you are on the right track.

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3. Work on difficult tasks first.

4. Don’t assume you know the material and can put off studying it. Review the material anyway.

5. Break large tasks into smaller more manageable parts.

6. Use rewards to motivate yourself to complete tasks

7. Eliminate distractions that interfere with working on tasks.

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8. Work as part of a study group. It may be easier to study at designated times if you know others are expecting you to be there.

Make sure everyone in the group is motivated to study

Don’t allow it to degenerate into a gab session

Choose a specific thing to study – set a goal for your session

Don’t wait for latecomers or your time will be lost

9. Examine your priorities between social life and academics.

Using techniques to avoid procrastination is VERY important for success at College.

STUDYING

How often should I study?

1. Studying should be a daily activity, not something you only do before a test. Try re-typing your notes to make them more useful for studying.

2. Review your notes in each subject on a regular basis. You can look at them:

At the end of each day, or Before the next class, or

At least at the end of each week.

3. In order to remember things you must assimilate them. Regular review of your notes keeps the material fresh in your mind and makes you aware of questions you need to ask.

4. This does not mean that you don’t study more thoroughly before a test, but that you will find it much easier when you do.

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Where should I study?

For your private studying, you should choose a dedicated study space conducive to learning. This space should:

Be comfortable, but not soporific

Have minimal distractions

It should be fairly quiet

It should be somewhat removed from areas of activity

It should be free from frequent interruptions

Have ample lighting

Be available when you need it

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How do I arrange my time?

1. Use a schedule! Know when you have tests and when assignments are due, and WRITE

THEM IN YOUR AGENDA Know when you have blocks of time available for study Write in your study times and treat them as appointments Be sure to schedule in prayer time as well

2. Study at a time of day when you are most alert. Are you a morning or an evening person? Do you study best for long periods, or in short bursts more often? Make your study sessions as regular as possible

3. Don’t procrastinate!4. Learn to say “no” when others offer distractions

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How do I study the material?

1. Remember that studying is converting information into knowledge

2. Keep your course outline handy It will help you know what’s been covered and what is coming up. It will help you know what the expectations are. It will have the dates of quizzes, tests, assignments and ALSO their

value. By using these you can keep track of your progress and there will be no surprises.

3. Do your class readings, and take notes from them. Read a section and write down the main sense of it in your own words Note down particular facts or terms you will need to remember

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4. Keep track of terms and facts you need to know. Try writing them down on note cards with the explanation on the

back.

Carry your cards with you, and quiz yourself whenever you have spare moments.

Get friends to quiz you as well

If you think you know an answer but can’t put it into words, you probably don’t know it well enough!

5. Break the material down into manageable parts Choose a specific thing to study

Organize the material in some logical manner so that it is easier to retrieve from your memory

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6. Use active studying methods; You will only remember what you understand.

Write down questions which arise while you are studying, and discuss them with your classmates or your professor.

Explain concepts to yourself or others in your own words. This ensures that you have assimilated them.

Think critically about the material, and ask yourself questions about it, putting it in context with the other material you need to know. Compare and contrast, ask how and why, and determine its significance in relation to the overall picture.

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7. Try using mnemonic devices:

Make acronyms to remember lists of facts – use letters to symbolize words

Make acrostics to memorize facts in a particular order – use your letter symbols in a sentence

Try visualizing the facts in some memorable way, or “place” them mentally in a familiar room

Use memory chunking – no more than 7 items in a category. If you need to remember more items, divide them up.

8. Test yourself! Ask yourself what kinds of things you think the professor is likely to put on the test.

Essentially, studying is about storing the information you need to know in some meaningful way and assimilating it so that it is easy to retrieve when you need it!

ESSAY WRITING

When do I start an essay?

1. Start the same day you are given the assignment!

Make sure you understand the expectations

Make sure you understand the topic

Think about how you might answer the question posed for the essay

Write down any questions you need to answer before you can begin writing

Start planning where you will get the sources you need

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2. DO NOT PUT OFF WRITING UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE! GIVE YOURSELF PLENTY OF TIME. YOU WILL WRITE A MUCH BETTER ESSAY IF YOU ARE NOT RUSHED.

3. If you begin writing early, you will know before it’s too late if there is any material you still do not have.

4. It is better to finish an essay before the due date than to be scrambling to get it in. Sometimes a professor will even look at it for you and make suggestions if you hand it in early.

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How do I start an essay?

1. First of all, determine what your answer is to the main question that you are being asked.

If the essay topic is not formed as a question, it sometimes helps to turn it into one, to help you know how to approach it.

Think about the purpose of the essay. Is it expository (explaining or describing), narrative (telling a story of some kind), or persuasive (convincing someone to believe or act in a certain way)?

2. Decide how you will go about explaining the answer to that question.

What steps will be required for your reader to go from knowing little or none of your topic to understanding your answer.

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3. WRITE AN OUTLINE FOR YOUR ESSAY!!!!

An essay needs to be organized to be understandable. Think of it as giving directions to your reader to get from one point to another. Each step needs to be clear, and to follow logically from the previous step. Only then will your reader arrive where you want him to.

Stick to one topic per paragraph!!

Consider your word count, and plan on 150 words per paragraph on average.

The more detailed you make your outline, the more your essay is already written. It is then simply a matter of turning your points into clear sentences.

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What do I put in an essay?

1. Make absolutely sure your essay is fulfilling the purpose intended by your professor. If it is not clear to you, ASK!

2. Pay attention to the word count. Being much over the word count is no better than being under it.

3. Your essay needs an introduction, a body, and a conclusion.

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4. Make sure you follow your outline. You can revise it as you go, but be sure it still follows a logical path.

5. Do not include irrelevant information. Do not ramble to increase your word count. Your professor is looking for certain things in order to give you marks. Make them easy to find.

6. Cite your sources!!

How to be a successful note-taker

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Study the Course Outline/Syllabus

◦ This document gives you a lot of information to help with your note taking and studying.

◦ Put all important dates in your calendar with a note about what the assignment is.

◦ At the beginning of each week review what is coming up over the next two (2) weeks.

Read Ahead

◦ Follow the course outline and read the material that is coming up in the next class

Go to class with the intention of listening. Be on time and set to go when the professor begins.

REMEMBER the first lecture of a course is key as it will give you an understanding of the focus and will provide the Syllabus/Outline for that course.

Seats are not assigned in college classes so sit in the best place for you to focus and avoid distractions such windows or noisy classmates.

While waiting for the class to begin review your notes from the previous class to refresh your memory.◦ At the beginning of class ask the professor to clarify

anything about the previous class that you did not understand.

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Listen for signals and clues.

◦ The professor will give clues about the overall course, the structure of the lectures and will also stress what is important to know.

◦ Watch for these types of comments! Emphasis - more importantly, above all, remember

Repetition - in other words, that is to say, in essence

Summary - in a nutshell, to sum up, in conclusion

Examples - to illustrate, for example, for instance

Time - before, after, formerly, prior, meanwhile

Addition - furthermore, moreover, also

Cause & Effect – therefore, as a result, if…then, so

Contrast - on the other hand, on the contrary

Enumeration – the following, first, next, finally

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Study the Instructor◦ Watch for clues that give you the main idea vs.

supporting information◦ Listen for verbal clues – voice tone, pauses, repetitions,

raising voiceMaterial that is important will be repeated – listen for this.

◦ Listen for nonverbal clues – eye contact, important material will be in a handout, in areas of the text which are stressed or written on the board.

◦ If copying from the board watch for spelling of names and place and be sure to get down the context around the idea.

◦ Record examples as they provide a context and make the idea easier to remember. Later, try to make your own examples to help consolidate the lecture.

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Pay attention to how the professor organizes the material. If you find it confusing, restructure it yourself so it makes sense.

Work to avoid distractions during lectures.

Remember Cell phones are not permitted during class.

Ask for clarification.

Don’t let peer pressure keep you from getting the most out of your classes.

Watch for areas that are stressed or emphasized.

These words or concepts are likely to be on the exam

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What is important to record ◦ 1) Purpose of the lecture – It can be the main source of

information for the exam

◦ 2)Lectures often elaborate the text by adding further information or illustrations

◦ 3) If lecture notes that have more information than the text form part of the final then you must take notes and these need to be organized.

◦ 4) Cross reference the material presented by the professor with the pages in the text. This will make it easier to find later.

◦ 5) If you use a binder, organize it so that the most recent notes are on top. This makes it easier to work with themand to review them.

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Listen for the TAC of the lecture◦ Thesis – the central point, everything is

directed at proving this idea

◦ Arguments – taken together these arguments prove or support the Thesis

◦ Conclusion – summarizes the entire argument or class

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Try to record key terms

◦ Do not write down what you already know.

◦ Key terms are usually, people, places, dates, theories and concepts

◦ Use illustrations or examples –

◦ Make Mind Maps

Pay attention to the beginning and end of a lecture when the key points may be raised or reviewed!!!

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Do not write in full sentences. Use time-saving abbreviations or your best texting words. You can rewrite these in more complete sentences after the lecture.

Remember – Your professor can speak at 150-200 words per minute but you can only record 100

words at the most. Don’t try to get it all down.

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Put your name on your notes so if they are lost they can be returned.

Number pages and put the date of each lecture on the top of your pages. Many professor’s use lecture numbers instead of dates so this will help to keep things organized.

Write on only one side of the page and use the other for notes from the text book about the same topic.

Leave lots of white space – it is easier to find important points. Do not write on every line.

Organize your binders with the most recent notes on top.

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DO NOT RECORD EVERYTHING YOUR PROFESSOR SAYS!

Be selective and think about what is being said and what it means. Remember to record the TAC of lectures

Every person develops their own unique note system during university but the following is one that is recommended by Student Services at a number of Canadian Universities. It is called the Cornell Note Taking System and can be found online.

If you are a visual learner – Draw your notes. Make Mind Maps with ideas flowing from a central core concept. This will help you to remember how things fit together.

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1) Find a 15-20 min. period after the lecture to go over your notes and put them in more elaborated sentences, if necessary. Working on your notes will save time studying later.

2) Record any areas that are unclear and be prepared to raise them with the professor

3) Add any further ideas or information in the white space on your sheet.

Remember, 60% of random information is lost within 24 hours. Don’t make your notes part of this random information.

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TEST TAKING 101

Taking Tests in College

Our Lady Seat of Wisdom College

In the Beginning• Once you receive your exam paper:

• DO NOT START WRITING IMMEDIATELY

• Close Your Eyes, Take Several Deep Breaths and Count to 10.

• Always have scrap paper available in front of you. As the exams are being given out use that paper to jot down some concepts or words that you feel you could struggle with later in the exam.

First Things:

Time: Read through the exam and know exactly how long you have for each section/question.

Marks: Check for the mark value of each section and each question within a section.

Plan: Divide the time you have based on the value of each section. Make a plan and write this on your scrap paper

What Type of Questions?

• ‘QUOTES’ - Strategy for Essay Questions

• Q = Question? Find the direction word – discuss, describe, explain, compare. Each of these will lead to different answers.

• U = Underline words that help you to focus on what you have to write.

• O = Outline/Organize don’t just start writing.

• T = Time. Watch your Time. If an answer is hard or not obvious, mark it and move on. Do Not Get Stuck.

• E = Evaluate your answers/Review and proof read.

• S = Statements can be made out of the Questions – These can become your thesis statements.

• Example Question: Did Shakespeare use poetry in his plays?

• Statement: Shakespeare used poetry in his plays …(when, a number of times, often, particularly in his comedies such as ….)

Answering Essay Questions

Essay Questions - Multiple Paragraphs

•Make a draft outline on your scrap paper!

•1. First Paragraph states your main point/thesis.

•2. Add paragraphs, each of which has a supporting point.

•3. The Final paragraph is your conclusion and summarizes both the main point and the supporting information.

•4. Leave spaces to add further information.

•5. Proofread.

Answering Essay QuestionsShort Answer/Identify Questions: Essay Format – One Paragraph

1. The Opening Sentence states your main point or Thesis.

2. The next few sentences prove or support your main point. If they do not help to answer the question or clarify the main point don’t add them.

3. The Final sentence sums up the main point and draws a conclusion.

4. Whether short or long essay questions, add one item of information (idea, detail or example) for every mark.

5. Limit personal feelings/speculations unless specifically asked for them.

Answering Multiple Choice Questions

• Look for Clue Words, particularly ‘Umbrella” words that actually include all of the other choices. These are usually the correct answer. Cover the options and try to find the answer on your own before looking at the choices.

• If two answers are opposite, one is probably correct.

• Answers with the following ‘Absolute Words’ are usually incorrect: always, never, all, must, none, only.

• Answers with the following words are usually correct: seldom, generally, tend to, probably, usually, sometimes

• Look for grammatical clues between the question and the choices. For example, the question and the correct answer often have verbs of the same tense and have nouns and verbs that agree. . Eliminate answers that are grammatically incorrect

• Underline familiar words or phrases from the lecture or textbook that are in the question.

• @ Read the question and anticipate the answer before you look at the multiple choices. Read the main part of the question with all choices as endings

Answering Multiple Choice Questions

• Use process of elimination. Eliminate all responses that you know are incorrect.

• In a question with an "All of the above" choice, if you see that at least ttwo correct statements, then "All of the above" is probably the answer.

• Skip the questions that you are unsure of, and return to them at the end.

• Write a multiple choice study guide to anticipate some of the possible questions and question types.

• Don’t “read into” the question– take everything at face value.

Only change your answer if you feel you have a good reason, otherwise leave it as the original selection.

• Study details such as specific dates, names, and vocabulary. Multiple choice exams require greater familiarity with precise information. Study these in advance.

• If you cannot decide between two choices, choose what “feels” right.

Answering True and False Questions

• To be true, everything about the statement must be True.

• Watch for negatives that change the meaning of the statement. If there are two negatives stroke out one and reread the question.

• Absolute words as discussed above often make a statement False.

5-Day Test Preparation Plan• Day 5 Reread Text, notes and hand-outs.

• Highlight information that is important.• Make Index Cards with a different concept on each one.

• Day 4 Use memory techniques (turn material into songs, poems or visualize).

• Day 3 Rewrite information as briefly as possible. Review these, talk them to others. Work in a group and take turns teaching things to each other.

• Day 2 Make up Questions and Answer them

• Day 1 Review notes from Day 3. Review Q & A’s from Day 2. Just before you enter the room go over material you find difficult. Once in the room and your books are away take out scrap paper and make notes of the things you find hardest.

• At the Exam: When the Professor says put your books away, use your scrap paper to write down things you are afraid you may forget. This is not cheating as you are doing it before you see the exam and without access to your books or notes.