Study Skills General Study Skills General Information OverviewInformation Overview

Overview of GoalsOverview of Goals

There’s not an easy way to get There’s not an easy way to get an Aan A

You need to learn effective You need to learn effective study skills and time study skills and time management skillsmanagement skills

The following guidelines will give The following guidelines will give you suggestions to make you a you suggestions to make you a better studentbetter student

Topics to be CoveredTopics to be Covered

Time managementTime management Note-takingNote-taking Writing research papersWriting research papers Studying for ExamsStudying for Exams Additional Resources at VCAdditional Resources at VC

Time Time managementmanagement

STEP ONE STEP ONE

Examine how you currently spend Examine how you currently spend your time on a given dayyour time on a given day Write down in a journal what you plan to Write down in a journal what you plan to

do that day for a weekdo that day for a week Look at how your plan of what you Look at how your plan of what you

wanted to do compares to what you wanted to do compares to what you actually DID that dayactually DID that day

What are you least likely to do?What are you least likely to do? What did you have no problem What did you have no problem

completing?completing? Where may you have spent your time Where may you have spent your time

better? Did you have any open time better? Did you have any open time slots in the day?slots in the day?

STEP TWOSTEP TWO

Identify blocks of time to study Identify blocks of time to study (determine how much of your (determine how much of your time is committed to other time is committed to other activities and how much time activities and how much time you need to study)you need to study) Most people need an average of 2 Most people need an average of 2

hours study time for every hour of hours study time for every hour of class per week (3 credit class=6 class per week (3 credit class=6 hours per week studying)hours per week studying)

STEP THREE STEP THREE

Make to-do listsMake to-do lists Prioritize tasksPrioritize tasks What is due tomorrow?What is due tomorrow? What can you work on slowly?What can you work on slowly?

STEP FOURSTEP FOUR

Find a quiet environment with Find a quiet environment with few distractionsfew distractions

Some students study best with a Some students study best with a lamp, quiet music, facing a lamp, quiet music, facing a window, or other modificationswindow, or other modifications

Break down work into Break down work into manageable tasks (50 minutes manageable tasks (50 minutes per assignment)per assignment)

Study Breaks!Study Breaks!

Don’t expect to get everything Don’t expect to get everything done in one sittingdone in one sitting

Take 10 minutes every hour or Take 10 minutes every hour or so-get a cup of coffee, walk so-get a cup of coffee, walk around, make a quick phone around, make a quick phone call, check emailcall, check email

Make sure this doesn’t turn into Make sure this doesn’t turn into procrastination!procrastination!

STEP FIVESTEP FIVE

Switch subjects every few hoursSwitch subjects every few hours Tackle difficult assignments firstTackle difficult assignments first Make mini-deadlines (if Make mini-deadlines (if

something is due in a month, something is due in a month, have a draft due 2 weeks have a draft due 2 weeks before)before)

Learn to handle procrastinationLearn to handle procrastination DON’T WAIT TILL THE LAST DON’T WAIT TILL THE LAST

MINUTE!!!MINUTE!!!

CHECKPOINT:CHECKPOINT:

What is the best way to study?What is the best way to study? A. Work on one assignment until it is A. Work on one assignment until it is

donedone B. Switch subjects and take periodic B. Switch subjects and take periodic

study breaksstudy breaks

There is not right answer-this depends There is not right answer-this depends on the topic and your level of interest, as on the topic and your level of interest, as well as when it needs to be completed. well as when it needs to be completed. Try to switch subjects as a rule to keep Try to switch subjects as a rule to keep your motivation high!!!your motivation high!!!

NOTE-TAKINGNOTE-TAKING

NOTE-TAKINGNOTE-TAKING

Golden Rule-Don’t expect to write Golden Rule-Don’t expect to write every word of the professor’s every word of the professor’s lecture down!lecture down!

Need to prepare for notes before Need to prepare for notes before class and review notes after class and review notes after classclass

BEFORE CLASSBEFORE CLASS

Have class assignments read Have class assignments read before classbefore class

Skim chapter-reread after class. Skim chapter-reread after class. Sometimes you understand Sometimes you understand chapter more after attending chapter more after attending class lectureclass lecture

Review notes from prior class-Review notes from prior class-most lectures pick up where it most lectures pick up where it left offleft off

TAKING NOTESTAKING NOTES

Always date your notesAlways date your notes Put heading/lecture topic on top Put heading/lecture topic on top

of paperof paper Write notes in phrase form, Write notes in phrase form,

rather than sentence formrather than sentence form Write notes on one side of paper Write notes on one side of paper

if you want to add information if you want to add information laterlater

NOTE-TAKING SYSTEMSNOTE-TAKING SYSTEMS

Outline method-Outline method-write down key write down key themes, and use indentation to themes, and use indentation to show lesser points (use capital show lesser points (use capital letters, roman numerals, or letters, roman numerals, or numbers to outline)numbers to outline)

ParagraphParagraph- write first main topic - write first main topic and write underneath—separate and write underneath—separate out ideas. Headings will help out ideas. Headings will help you study for exam.you study for exam.

NOTE-TAKING SYSTEMS NOTE-TAKING SYSTEMS (cont.)(cont.)

Mapping method-notes are Mapping method-notes are recorded in chart or graphic recorded in chart or graphic methodmethod

WHAT TO INCLUDE IN WHAT TO INCLUDE IN NOTESNOTES Main pointsMain points DefinitionsDefinitions TheoriesTheories FormulasFormulas ListsLists Page Page

referencesreferences

Important DatesImportant Dates Anything noted Anything noted

as “important to as “important to know, keep in know, keep in mind for exam”mind for exam”

Important Important peoplepeople

Anything Anything spelled outspelled out

ChartsCharts

After ClassAfter Class

Edit your notes-reorganize or rewrite Edit your notes-reorganize or rewrite to make more legibleto make more legible

Add information from book, clarify Add information from book, clarify notes (missing information –get from notes (missing information –get from another student or from book)another student or from book)

If class uses PowerPoint -download If class uses PowerPoint -download notes from websitenotes from website

http://vcpsychology.homestead.com/http://vcpsychology.homestead.com/psychology.htmlpsychology.html

Reading AssignmentsReading Assignments

Avoid over-highlighting-while it Avoid over-highlighting-while it may look like you read the may look like you read the material, it may be harder to material, it may be harder to remember the informationremember the information

Write notes in margin of bookWrite notes in margin of book Pre-read: read major headings, Pre-read: read major headings,

first paragraph, and chapter first paragraph, and chapter summaries first. Read for summaries first. Read for understanding.understanding.

CHECKPOINT:CHECKPOINT:

What does NOT have to be What does NOT have to be included in lecture notes?included in lecture notes?

Important datesImportant dates DefinitionsDefinitions Exact sentencesExact sentences TheoriesTheories ANSWER: exact sentencesANSWER: exact sentences

WRITING RESEARCH WRITING RESEARCH PAPERSPAPERS

Writing Research PapersWriting Research Papers

First step: Choosing a topicFirst step: Choosing a topic Write about something you are Write about something you are

interested in!interested in! Avoiding choosing a topic that is Avoiding choosing a topic that is

too broad or hard to write abouttoo broad or hard to write about Make sure topic fits paper Make sure topic fits paper

assignmentassignment Make sure topic will lead into an Make sure topic will lead into an

argumentargument

Researching a topic:Researching a topic:

Conduct a library and online Conduct a library and online database search for your topicdatabase search for your topic

Use search words narrow Use search words narrow enough to find articles and enough to find articles and books related to topicbooks related to topic

Reference librarians on 2Reference librarians on 2ndnd floor floor LRC building will help you with LRC building will help you with searchsearch

ResourcesResources

Most databases can be accessed off Most databases can be accessed off campus from GALILEO (check with campus from GALILEO (check with library for password)library for password)

Library homepage will link you to list Library homepage will link you to list of databasesof databases

While books will give you a lot of While books will give you a lot of information, use chapters –otherwise information, use chapters –otherwise too time consuming to readtoo time consuming to read

Journal articles should be recent (10 Journal articles should be recent (10 years)years)

Writing the PaperWriting the Paper

Take careful and detailed notes Take careful and detailed notes on each article (use notecards on each article (use notecards or legal pads)or legal pads)

Write headings within notes to Write headings within notes to make writing the paper easiermake writing the paper easier

Be careful not to write down Be careful not to write down direct sentences from authors-direct sentences from authors-paraphraseparaphrase

Writing the PaperWriting the Paper

Make an outline before writing Make an outline before writing the actual paperthe actual paper

Helps with overall organizationHelps with overall organization Make sure your thesis statement Make sure your thesis statement

is at end of introductionis at end of introduction Thesis : what you are arguing, Thesis : what you are arguing,

your main point, question being your main point, question being answered, etc.answered, etc.

Preparing the paperPreparing the paper

Avoid using passive tense “ex. They were Avoid using passive tense “ex. They were given”given”

If you are using a specific style (ex. APA, If you are using a specific style (ex. APA, MLA), when formatting your paper, check MLA), when formatting your paper, check with manual to make sure it is rightwith manual to make sure it is right

Use spell-check and grammar checkUse spell-check and grammar check Keep to page limitKeep to page limit Make sure all references are cited correctlyMake sure all references are cited correctly Avoid plagiarism-any idea that is not your Avoid plagiarism-any idea that is not your

own must be referenced. When in doubt, own must be referenced. When in doubt, cite!cite!

STUDYING FOR EXAMSSTUDYING FOR EXAMS

Studying for ExamsStudying for Exams

#1 Tip: Don’t wait for the last #1 Tip: Don’t wait for the last minute to study!minute to study!

Keep up with reading Keep up with reading assignments and review notes-assignments and review notes-will make it easier to prepare for will make it easier to prepare for examexam

Essay ExamsEssay Exams

Read over the question. Use Read over the question. Use scratch paper or the margin to scratch paper or the margin to write quick outline of what you write quick outline of what you want to say. want to say.

Always include a recognition of Always include a recognition of the exam question in your the exam question in your introduction/thesis statementintroduction/thesis statement

Make sure you address all Make sure you address all components of the questioncomponents of the question

ESSAY EXAMESSAY EXAM

Don’t use complicated language or Don’t use complicated language or make up things to make the essay make up things to make the essay longer-use clear and concise longer-use clear and concise languagelanguage

If you get the essay questions in If you get the essay questions in advance, make an outline of the advance, make an outline of the essay rather than writing it outessay rather than writing it out

Budget your time –if you have 50 Budget your time –if you have 50 minutes to answer 4 questions, minutes to answer 4 questions, make sure you aren’t left with 5 min make sure you aren’t left with 5 min to answer the last one!to answer the last one!

Multiple Choice ExamsMultiple Choice Exams

Make sure you understand the Make sure you understand the question or ask the instructor for question or ask the instructor for clarificationclarification

Pace yourself. Since m/c exams Pace yourself. Since m/c exams don’t require as much written don’t require as much written work, there may be lots of work, there may be lots of questions (50-100). Circle the questions (50-100). Circle the questions you are “stumped” on questions you are “stumped” on and come back to themand come back to them

Multiple Choice ExamsMultiple Choice Exams

Try to think of answer first before Try to think of answer first before looking at answerslooking at answers

Uncover answers one-by-one. If you Uncover answers one-by-one. If you know it is not the right choice, cross it know it is not the right choice, cross it out. If it may be right ,DO NOT out. If it may be right ,DO NOT immediately mark it as correct. There immediately mark it as correct. There may be other better answers or a may be other better answers or a choice (e) as all of the above may choice (e) as all of the above may existexist

Process of elimination will help with Process of elimination will help with questions you are not sure about-questions you are not sure about-make an educated guess based on make an educated guess based on which ones you can rule out.which ones you can rule out.

ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS!ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS!

Unless you are taking a test like Unless you are taking a test like the SAT, you won’t be penalized the SAT, you won’t be penalized for wrong answersfor wrong answers

When you have five minutes left, When you have five minutes left, go back and answer all go back and answer all questions left unanswered-make questions left unanswered-make a guess!a guess!

Short AnswerShort Answer

Answer easy questions first, skim over Answer easy questions first, skim over questions in the beginning of the testquestions in the beginning of the test

Make sure you give the information asked Make sure you give the information asked for in the question (list, describe, theory for in the question (list, describe, theory and date)and date)

BE CONCISE. That’s what short answers BE CONCISE. That’s what short answers are-but make sure answer is completeare-but make sure answer is complete

If you only know part of the answer (ex. 3 If you only know part of the answer (ex. 3 of the 4 past presidents) write those down-of the 4 past presidents) write those down-may get partial credit.may get partial credit.

Try to “visualize” your notes-what heading Try to “visualize” your notes-what heading did the question fall under?did the question fall under?

Problem Oriented ExamsProblem Oriented Exams

Used for math and science Used for math and science coursescourses

Less questions on exams-make Less questions on exams-make take very long to answer each take very long to answer each oneone

If the problem has several parts, If the problem has several parts, make sure you answer each onemake sure you answer each one

Problem-oriented ExamsProblem-oriented Exams

Identify variables and what the Identify variables and what the problem is asking for-write them problem is asking for-write them downdown

Example (Psy 01): What is the Example (Psy 01): What is the dependant and independent dependant and independent variables? What is the difference variables? What is the difference between the control and between the control and experimental group?experimental group?

Box answers for each partBox answers for each part

Problem-oriented ExamsProblem-oriented Exams

If you use a calculator-make If you use a calculator-make sure you enter numbers in sure you enter numbers in correctly and round to the correctly and round to the correct number of decimalscorrect number of decimals

Show all work or answers in the Show all work or answers in the space provided. space provided.

Ventura College ResourcesVentura College Resources Academic Counseling: Academic Counseling:

http://www.venturacollege.edu/departments/http://www.venturacollege.edu/departments/student_services/counseling/index.shtml student_services/counseling/index.shtml

LRC learning center general info: LRC learning center general info: http://www.venturacollege.edu/departments/student_http://www.venturacollege.edu/departments/student_services/learning_center/index.shtml services/learning_center/index.shtml

Library (LRC – 2Library (LRC – 2ndnd Floor): Floor): http://www.venturacollege.edu/departments/http://www.venturacollege.edu/departments/student_services/library/index.shtml student_services/library/index.shtml

Student Health and Psychological Services: Student Health and Psychological Services: http://www.venturacollege.edu/departments/http://www.venturacollege.edu/departments/student_services/shps/index.shtml student_services/shps/index.shtml

Tutoring information: Tutoring information: http://www.venturacollege.edu/departments/student_http://www.venturacollege.edu/departments/student_services/tutoring/index.shtmlservices/tutoring/index.shtml

Ventura College General Information: Ventura College General Information: http://www.venturacollege.edu/current_studehttp://www.venturacollege.edu/current_students/index.shtml nts/index.shtml

WebSTAR: WebSTAR: http://students.vcccd.edu/ http://students.vcccd.edu/

ConclusionConclusion

This self-paced presentation was This self-paced presentation was designed to give you study skills and designed to give you study skills and helpful (survivor) tips helpful (survivor) tips

Incorporate these tips slowly into Incorporate these tips slowly into your normal study habitsyour normal study habits

Remember to keep up with your Remember to keep up with your notes and reading assignmentsnotes and reading assignments

Speak to your tutor or a counselor if Speak to your tutor or a counselor if you would like further help or you would like further help or academic counselingacademic counseling