“ Study Skills”

Taking Notes All good study techniques Start with good note taking Habits. Knowing how to take good notes will improve your ability to study more effectively

The Three Stages of Good Note taking Stage 1 – Get ready to take notes (Before Class) – Review your notes from previous lessons – Complete all assignments and readings before class – Bring all needed materials to take notes

Stage 2 – Taking notes (During Class) – Keep your focus on the teacher – Listen for signal statements like: Most importantly Remember that… Be sure to include…. – Write quickly Use abbreviation Place a “?” by things you are not sure about

Stage 3 – Rewrite your Notes – After class rewrite your notes Change abbreviations to complete words Change symbols into words Change shorter sentences to more complete sentences – Answer any “?” you had in your notes

10 Study Habits of Successful Students Try not to do too much studying at one time Plan specific times for studying Try to study at the same times each day Set specific goals for your study time Start studying when planned Work on the assignments or materials that are the most difficult first Review notes before beginning an assignment Eliminate distractions during study time Call another student for assistance when needed Review schoolwork over the weekends

Preparing an Effective Place to Study The “Study Place” should always be available to you The “Study Place” should be free from interruptions The “Study Place” should be free from distractions The “Study Place” should have all of the materials on hand that are needed to study The “Study Place” should have a large enough desk or table The “Study Place” should have a large storage area available The “Study Place” should have a comfortable chair The “Study Place” should have enough light The “Study Place” should be kept at a comfortable temperature

Specific Study Methods There are many methods and techniques Available to use for studying You will have to decide which method is best For you depending on: -your learning style -the teaching method used -the course material to learn -the type of tests used

Using Acronymic Sentences Creating an Acronymic Sentence – Write each piece of information that needs to be learn in order – Underline the first letter of each word – Write a sentence using the words that begin with the underlined letters Using an Acronymic Sentence is a good study method for remembering things That need to be learn in a specific order. Example: The planets in order are: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto Acronymic Sentence = My Very Earthy Mother Just Served Us Nine Pizzas

Can you create an Acronymic Sentence to learn the Days of the Week starting with Sunday?

Using Acronyms Write the facts you need to remember Underline the first letter of each fact Arrange the first letters to form a word. The word can be real or non-sensible if you can remember and pronounce it Using an Acronym is a good study method for remembering things That need to be learn in any order. Example: “Homes” is an acronym that can be used to memorize or learn the 5 Great Lakes; Michigan, Erie, Superior, Ontario, Huron

Now can you create an Acronym for learning these Mississippi Cities: Tupelo, Shannon, Okolona, Indianola, Pontotoc, Columbus?

Using Flashcards Flashcards are a very useful tool in learning or remembering information such as: Vocabulary Words and Meanings, Math Formulas, History Facts, and Correct Spellings or Words.

Strategies on how to use Flashcards Make Flashcards as you learn to study – Carry blank cards with you – Organize your cards in decks by topic or subject Use both sides of a Card when appropriate – Write words on one side and definitions on the other side – Flip the cards and learn the information both ways Use flashcards in several different colors – Different colors can cue your answers Illustrate the cards – Draw or cut pictures to place on cards – The more interesting looking the cards, the less bored one becomes using them

Do not put too much information on any one card – Each card should contain only ONE piece if information to learn Always carry your cards with you – Review your cards often – If you always have your card, wasted or wait time can become learning time Change the order of the cards frequently – You need to learn the information, not which card or answer comes next

You can use online flashcards also one great site is FlashcardExchange.com With FlashcardExchange.com you can use the flashcards you create online In a game format or you can print the cards or print in a study sheet format. You have to register on the site, but the general services of the site are free.

Using the Loci Method Imagine yourself walking through a very familiar location or area (Your Kitchen) Associate specific locations and activities with the items you want to remember This is method of remembering items by imagining a place you are very Familiar with, and associating the item to remember to that location – Very good for Kinesthetic Learners (motion or movement) Example: Imagine your kitchen. You want to remember three Presidents. The Presidents are George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Richard Nixon. Now picture Walking into your Kitchen – Washington is eating cherries at the kitchen table, Jefferson Is reading at the table, and Nixon is standing with the refrigerator open.

The Loci Method is difficult for some people that are not Kinesthetic Learners. See if you can apply the Kinesthetic Learning Method to remembering these famous inventors: Thomas Edison Alexander G. Bell George W. Carver Benjamin Franklin

Using the Image-Name Technique This method is very easy and short and used for remembering people or places. Example: remembering Jay Leno by picturing his protruding, large chin. Can you Think of an example?

Using the ASPIRE System A – Approach/Attitude/Arrange – Approach your studies with a positive attitude – Arrange your schedule to eliminate distractions S – Select/Survey/Study – Select a reasonable chunk of material to study – Survey the headings, graphics, pre and post- questions – Study marking any information you do not understand P – Put aside/Piece together – Put aside your books and notes – Piece together what you have study and try to summarize that information yourself

I – Inspect/Investigate/Inquire – Inspect what you did not understand – Investigate all available sources of information (textbooks, online, dictionary…) – Inquire from support professionals (Librarians, tutors, teachers, …) R – Reconsider/reflect/Relay – Reconsider the content; what questions would you ask the author – Reflect on the material; how can I apply this material – Relay understanding; how would I make this information more interesting or easier to understand to other students E – Evaluate/Examine/Explore – Evaluate your grades on tests and assignments and look for patterns or weaknesses – Examine you progress on improving weak areas – Explore options for you with teachers, tutors, other students

Using Study Groups Study Groups can be very beneficial in some situations. There are Several things to consider when thinking about using Study Groups: 1.Benefits of a Study Group 2.Starting a Study Group 3.Characteristics of a Good Study Group 4.Pitfalls of Study Groups

Benefits of a Study Group A support group can be a motivator Easier to ask classmates questions Your commitment might be stronger because the group depends on all members Study groups add a strong auditory aspect to your learning experience One or more group member is likely to understand something that you do not You can learn new study techniques or habit from other members You can compare your notes with other students Teaching or explaining concepts to other group members will reinforce your learning Face it! Studying can be boring. Study with others can make the studying more enjoyable

Getting a Study Group Started Get to know your classmates well before asking them to join your study group – you should be able to answer “yes” to each of these questions: – Is this classmate motivated to learn? – Does the classmate understand the subject well? – Is this classmate dependable? – Would this classmate be tolerant of other ideas? – Would you like to work with this classmate?

Invite the correct number of classmates to your Study group (the best number seems to be between 3-5 students per group) Decide how often and how long the Group will meet each week (best is 2 or 3 times a weeks, and sessions between 60 and 90 minutes) Decide where to meet (this location should be without distractions) Decide on the goals of the Group (goals can include; reviewing notes, discussing readings, and study for exams) Decide on a leader for the group, and if the leader will be the same or change each week Set an agenda for each meeting including specific member assignments Develop a contact list for the members with all of their contact information and provide to each member.

Characteristics of a Successful Study Group Each group member contributes Group members actively listen without interrupting each other Group members work together to resolve any problems arising without the group Members are prompt and come ready to work The group stay on task according to the agenda Members always show each other respect Members should feel comfortable with constructive criticisms Members should feel free to ask questions At the end of each meeting, an agenda is set with assignments for the next meeting Above all, a positive attitude that “we can do this together” is maintained

Possible Pitfalls of a Study Group Do not let the Study Group get distraction from the agenda Do not let the Study Group become a social group Do not allow members to attend unprepared Do not let negativity slip into the group Do not let one or two members dominate the group