Studying is a skill. Good study habits include many different skills: time management, self- discipline, concentration, memorization, organization, and effort. Desire to succeed is important, too. Exercise: Discover your approach to studying. Circle the responses that apply to you. 1. My study habits are... Good, fair, poor 2. For every hour in class, I study a little 1 hr. 2 hrs. more than 2 hrs. 3. I have an organized plan and schedule for study... true or false 4. I have a quiet place in which I study... true or false 5. I usually approach studying with a positive attitude. true or false In what ways could you improve your study habits? ______________________________________________________________________ __________________ Learning Style visual (by sight), auditory (by hearing), hands on (by doing) TO IMPROVE AS A VISUAL LEARNER visualize what you are studying use color in your notes (colored pens, highlighters, etc.) visualize what the instructor is lecturing about draw pictures and diagrams use mind maps in your notes use picture and graphics to reinforce learning learn from videos TO IMPROVE AS AN AUDITORY LEARNER listen to tapes of recorded assignments tape record your own textbook reading read out loud talk over ideas from class and what you are studying with other students participate in class discussions listen to audiotapes on the subject TO IMPROVE AS A HANDS ON LEARNER stand up and move around while you are studying take frequent breaks while studying make use of your hands and write things down as you study use the computer to reinforce learning be physically active; experiment with objects memorize or drill while walking or exercising Effective Time Management Daily reviews: Weekly reviews: Pre-exam reviews: Review your notes immediately after each class to reinforce learning or within a 24-hour period for best recall. Repeated exposure to the material will store it in your long-term memory. At the end of the week go over your notes for the week. This refreshes your memory and promotes better recall of the material. These reviews are longer, from hours. Break your study sessions into one-hour blocks with ten-minute breaks in between. Get up, stretch, get a drink, and move around during your break. The more active you are, the more effective your study time will be. A tired body only makes a tired mind. Effective Time Management Peak Study Times:Study when you are at your peak, when you are more awake and alert and able to absorb new information. If you are a morning person, your best study time is in the morning. If you are an evening person, study at night. If you cannot find time to study at your peak time, try to study when you are feeling relatively awake and alert. Bonus Study Time:Whenever you have extra time, study. Write notes on 3x5 cards and have them with you. Exercise: Fill in the blanks with the first thought that comes to mind. 1. I find it easiest to study when ______________________________________. 2. If a subject is really hard, I tend to __________________________________. 3. The subject I most like to study is __________________________________. 4. The subject I least like to study is __________________________________. Staying Organized and Organize Your Time... such as notebooks, planners, pens, books, and other materials so they don't lose them Plan your study time. Leave enough time for each of your subjects and more time for difficult subjects. Most college classes require about six hours of study per week or two hours of study for every hour in class. If you are a slow reader or have other study problems, you may need to plan more time. Prioritize your time and put off other activities to allow for adequate study time. You may find it necessary to postpone or eliminate certain activities in order to fulfill your goals as a student. Keep a weekly and monthly schedule planner in which to record due dates of assignments, tests, papers, field trips, etc. Transfer important dates from your syllabus to your weekly/monthly planner. Basic Study Habits and Organize Your Study Area... Be prepared for your classes and make sure you attend. Be on time! Make sure you do all assignments and turn them in on time. Avoid cramming for tests, but review on a regular basis. Study each day, even if there are no tests. Keep notes and handouts from class in a 3-ring binder. Exercise: Answer the following questions. Libraries are generally ideal study locations. Why? _______________________________________________________________. The Student Commons is not the best place to study. Why? _______________________________________________________________. Taking Good Notes Test your note-taking skills: Do they make sense to you? Do you feel as though you are sitting in the lecture and hearing your Teacher talk about the topic? Before Class Read assigned material Review notes from previous session Sit near the front of the class in the center of the room Begin notes for each lecture on a new page Date each page of your notebook as well as date and number each handout Identify the chapter being covered at the top of the page During Class Listen carefully at the beginning of the lecture for an overview of the main topics of the lecture Maintain focus to identify important information Your goal is NOT to write every word of the lecture in your notes. Write down supporting information such as key points, background information, dates, key terms, definitions, examples, formulas Listen carefully at the end of the lecture for a summary of the main points from the lecture After Class Review, revise, or edit your notes as soon as possible Rewrite notes if necessary In your notes summarize the main points of the lecture Updated Cornell note style is a guided notes method appeared to be better for basic recall Guided notes (In this class) Sometimes lecturers may provide handouts of guided notes, which provide a "map" of the lecture content with key points or ideas missing. Students then fill in missing items as the lecture progresses. Guided notes may assist students in following lectures and identifying the most important ideas from a lecture. This format provides students with a framework, yet requires active listening (as opposed to providing copies of powerpoint slides in their entirety). Research has shown that guided notes improve students' recording of critical points in lecture as well as their quiz scores on related content. Mind Mapping Method Ability to see the big picture and how information relates Useful way to review notes Allows for creativity 1.Survey: survey or skim, advises that one should resist the temptation to read the book and instead glance through a chapter in order to identify headings, sub-headings and other outstanding features in the text. 2.Question Formulate questions about the content of the reading. 3.Read: Passive reading, in contrast, results in merely reading without engaging with the study material. 4.Recite : "Recall." Using key phrases, one is meant to identify major points and answers to questions / active listening quality of this study method. 5.Review : This method instructs the diligent student to immediately review all sections pertaining to any key words forgotten. The PSQ5R Method This acronym stands for the basic steps in understanding a text proficiently. At the end of each stage, the reader is required to answer the question "Have I gone far enough to achieve my purpose?" If the answer is yes, the reader can stop reading. The T.H.I.E.V.V.E.S. Method This is method taught by Brigham Young University's Center for Teaching and Learning and involves skimming entire parts of chapters by checking out and pondering key facts and concepts as you come across them. Reviewing Notes on a Regular Basis Cramming for tests is not a good practice. It's a good idea for them to take a look at their class notes each day.