Making a Success Out of Your Class

Erika VazquezErika Vazquez

Student Support ServicesStudent Support Services

Program CoordinatorProgram Coordinator

Workshop Overview

Study SkillsStudy Skills Note TakingNote Taking Test TakingTest Taking

Your Study Skills and You

The importance of studyingThe importance of studying Your attitude and studyingYour attitude and studying Secrets of studyingSecrets of studying

Importance of Studying

Studying is Programmed learning.Studying is Programmed learning. It is required to learn something new or to It is required to learn something new or to

master a subject.master a subject. It is your ticket to the next level.It is your ticket to the next level.

Your Attitude Makes the Difference

Your attitude affects your view of studying.Your attitude affects your view of studying.

-Think positive-Think positive

-View studying as your duty-View studying as your duty

-Focus on the positive aspects of studying.-Focus on the positive aspects of studying.

-Mental growth-Mental growth

-Intellectual improvement-Intellectual improvement

Secrets of Studying Study in the perfect setting.Study in the perfect setting.

-choose the perfect place and atmosphere.-choose the perfect place and atmosphere. Schedule your study time on a calendar.Schedule your study time on a calendar.

-Use a calendar and avoid interruptions.-Use a calendar and avoid interruptions. Use available resources.Use available resources.

-Library, texts, tutoring, computers, etc.-Library, texts, tutoring, computers, etc. Maintain physical and mental balance.Maintain physical and mental balance.

-Get enough sleep, eat balanced meals, -Get enough sleep, eat balanced meals, exercise, and have fun.exercise, and have fun.

Note Taking

Importance of taking notesImportance of taking notes Note taking processNote taking process Techniques for note takingTechniques for note taking

Why is taking notes important?

The most important information in your The most important information in your course will be discussed by the professor in course will be discussed by the professor in class.class.

Class notes keep you on track of what is Class notes keep you on track of what is being taught.being taught.

Class notes help you prepare for tests.Class notes help you prepare for tests.

Note Taking Process Before ClassBefore Class

-Read background material-Read background material-Have a purpose for listening-Have a purpose for listening

During ClassDuring Class-Be an active listener-Be an active listener-Be alert, sit where you can see and listen, make eye contact with professor.-Be alert, sit where you can see and listen, make eye contact with professor.-Ask questions and react to what is being said-Ask questions and react to what is being said-Use abbreviations, write down key points, and leave blanks for missed -Use abbreviations, write down key points, and leave blanks for missed information.information.

After ClassAfter Class-Review notes soon after class.-Review notes soon after class.-Fill in blanks left in notes.-Fill in blanks left in notes.-Organize notes into categories.-Organize notes into categories.-Review-Review

Techniques For Note Taking

Symbols and abbreviationsSymbols and abbreviations

-U=you, @= at, w/=with, *=important-U=you, @= at, w/=with, *=important UnderliningUnderlining NumberingNumbering

-(1,2,3) or (a,b,c) or (I,II,III)-(1,2,3) or (a,b,c) or (I,II,III) IndentingIndenting

-- indent to separate topic from informationindent to separate topic from information

Always remember

Write your notes clearly- rewrite them if Write your notes clearly- rewrite them if necessary.necessary.

Date your notes, identify class, subject, Date your notes, identify class, subject, page, book, etc.page, book, etc.

Find the appropriate notebook, folder, Find the appropriate notebook, folder, binder for all your classes.binder for all your classes.

Use a note taking system that works for Use a note taking system that works for you.you.

Test Taking Made Easy

Test Preparation ProcessTest Preparation Process Test stylesTest styles Test languageTest language

Test Taking Process

Taking a test is NOT a single event. Test Taking a test is NOT a single event. Test taking constitutes going through a process taking constitutes going through a process in which studying is a big part of.in which studying is a big part of.

Class material given

Review of material- studying

Testing for knowledge of material

Tips for Test Preparation Survival

Use a system called Spaced ReviewUse a system called Spaced Review

Look over class material for 10 min. after class or at the end of the day.

Review class material for 15 min. each day after you receive it.

Review test material for 45 min. the day before the test.

Take test

Do not cram. Waiting until the day before a Do not cram. Waiting until the day before a test to study for it is useless.test to study for it is useless.

Don’t just memorize the material, Embrace Don’t just memorize the material, Embrace it.it.

Take breaksTake breaks Test yourself before the professor does.Test yourself before the professor does. Work with a study buddy or group.Work with a study buddy or group. Have someone quiz you on the test Have someone quiz you on the test

material.material. Review test material in a creative way.Review test material in a creative way.

Test Styles

EssayEssay Multiple ChoiceMultiple Choice

Essay

Read the question carefully and know what is Read the question carefully and know what is asking you to do.asking you to do.

Before starting to write, write down your ideas Before starting to write, write down your ideas and write your answer referring to those ideas.and write your answer referring to those ideas.

Restate the question within your answer.Restate the question within your answer. Proof read your answer for grammar, spelling, and Proof read your answer for grammar, spelling, and

punctuation.punctuation. Give yourself time to answer each question.Give yourself time to answer each question.

Essay Question Language CompareCompare ContrastContrast CriticizeCriticize DefineDefine DescribeDescribe ListList ExplainExplain JustifyJustify OutlineOutline SummarizeSummarize TraceTrace

Present main points of topic without details and Present main points of topic without details and illustrations.illustrations.

Prove the grounds for your conclusion by Prove the grounds for your conclusion by presenting your evidence in a convincing form.presenting your evidence in a convincing form.

Outline the item completely by organizing it, Outline the item completely by organizing it, presenting pros and cons, and using illustrative presenting pros and cons, and using illustrative detail.detail.

Discuss the “how” and “why.”Discuss the “how” and “why.” Name items briefly, one after the other.Name items briefly, one after the other. Express your educated judgment as to the Express your educated judgment as to the

correctness of the matters under discussion.correctness of the matters under discussion. Make a clear statement including all the items Make a clear statement including all the items

within the category.within the category. Stress differences.Stress differences. Emphasize similarities.Emphasize similarities. Summarize with headings and subheadings.Summarize with headings and subheadings. Describe a development starting with its point of Describe a development starting with its point of

origin including relevant details in sequences.origin including relevant details in sequences.

Multiple Choice

Eliminate obvious answers.Eliminate obvious answers. Choices with terms such as Choices with terms such as alwaysalways, , nevernever, and , and

inevitableinevitable are usually incorrect. are usually incorrect. Watch for answers that cancel each other or are the Watch for answers that cancel each other or are the

same.same. Look for answers to questions within other questions.Look for answers to questions within other questions. Make sure the answer you choose answers the question.Make sure the answer you choose answers the question. If 3 out of 4 answers given are on the same topic, If 3 out of 4 answers given are on the same topic,

choose one of the 3 on the same topic.choose one of the 3 on the same topic. Often, correct answers are the longest.Often, correct answers are the longest. NEVER change an answer unless you are sure it is NEVER change an answer unless you are sure it is

wrong.wrong.

Have study materials organized and ready.Have study materials organized and ready. Have your thoughts in place before the test.Have your thoughts in place before the test. Over prepareOver prepare Be clear on what you know and do not know.Be clear on what you know and do not know. Don’t talk to people who are negative about stuff.Don’t talk to people who are negative about stuff. NEVER expose yourself to negative self-talk.NEVER expose yourself to negative self-talk. Realize this is only one of many tests.Realize this is only one of many tests. Do exercise and relaxation techniques.Do exercise and relaxation techniques. BELIEVE IN YOURSELF.BELIEVE IN YOURSELF.

ALWAYS REMEMBER

Thank You!

AWC Student Support ServicesAWC Student Support Services

Spring 2004Spring 2004

Workshop Feedback Form