Improving Your Study Skills

The Vocabulary You may consider using the following format for your vocabulary. This technique is called “word saver” and research in psychology has shown that by approaching new words from different angles, you are more successful at retaining the word. You may consider using the following format for your vocabulary. This technique is called “word saver” and research in psychology has shown that by approaching new words from different angles, you are more successful at retaining the word.

Word: perceive Definitions: become aware through the senses Example in the text: perceiving and analyzing objects in space My sentence: When it’s quiet at night, I can perceive more sounds.

Study Techniques Almost EVERY Intro to Psych Textbook advocates the following study techniques as being the most successful? And ALL of the books stress that you MUST want to improve your study habits in order to improve them. Almost EVERY Intro to Psych Textbook advocates the following study techniques as being the most successful? And ALL of the books stress that you MUST want to improve your study habits in order to improve them. SQ3R SQ3R –Survey (main topics, outlines). Get an overall picture of what you’re going to study BEFORE you study. It’s like looking at a road map before going on a trip. –Question (look at learning objectives). Ask questions of yourself as you read – remember if you make it personal, you will retain the information better.

SQ3R (continued) SQ3R (continued) –Read actively (relate to existing memories). Read everything – tables, graphs, etc. They often help with meaning. Don’t read aloud to yourself or move your lips when reading – you will read slower. –Rehearse/Reflect (put in your own words). Stop reading periodically and try to recall what you have read. –Review (skim again, look over notes). Do this immediately after you have studied. Looks at your notes, etc. The final review is what should take place the night before a test.

More Tips to Improve Your Studying Minimize distractions Minimize distractions Use your free time Use your free time Study when you are alert. If you are tired, your study time won’t be as successful and may be a waste of time. Study when you are alert. If you are tired, your study time won’t be as successful and may be a waste of time. Last minute studying usually is not productive. Last minute studying usually is not productive. Spaced study works better than massed study. Read parts of the chapter rather than the whole. Spaced study works better than massed study. Read parts of the chapter rather than the whole. –Study for minutes and take a break. Reading for hours is not productive. The amount of information you retain drops off sharply after this time period. Some psychologists would recommend study sessions of 20 minutes, then take a break.