LaSalle High School Science Department Study Skills Study Skills Learn How to Learn

Overview of Goals There’s not an easy way to get an A There’s not an easy way to get an A You need to learn effective study skills and time management skills You need to learn effective study skills and time management skills The following guidelines will give you suggestions to make you a better student The following guidelines will give you suggestions to make you a better student

Topics to be Covered Time management Time management Note-taking Note-taking Writing research papers Writing research papers Studying for Exams Studying for Exams Additional Resources at LSHS Additional Resources at LSHS

Time management

STEP ONE Examine how you currently spend your time on a given day Examine how you currently spend your time on a given day Write down in a journal what you plan to do that day for a week Write down in a journal what you plan to do that day for a week Look at how your plan of what you wanted to do compares to what you actually DID that day Look at how your plan of what you wanted to do compares to what you actually DID that day What are you least likely to do? What are you least likely to do? What did you have no problem completing? What did you have no problem completing? Where may you have spent your time better? Did you have any open time slots in the day? Where may you have spent your time better? Did you have any open time slots in the day?

STEP TWO Identify blocks of time to study (determine how much of your time is committed to other activities and how much time you need to study) Identify blocks of time to study (determine how much of your time is committed to other activities and how much time you need to study) Most people need an average of 2 hours study time for every hour of class per week (3 credit class=6 hours per week studying) Most people need an average of 2 hours study time for every hour of class per week (3 credit class=6 hours per week studying)

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

STEP FOUR Find a quiet environment with few distractions Find a quiet environment with few distractions Some students study best with a lamp, quiet music, facing a window, or other modifications Some students study best with a lamp, quiet music, facing a window, or other modifications Break down work into manageable tasks (30 minutes per assignment) Break down work into manageable tasks (30 minutes per assignment)

Study Breaks! Don’t expect to get everything done in one sitting Don’t expect to get everything done in one sitting Take 10 minutes every hour or so-get a cup of coffee, walk around, make a quick phone call, check Take 10 minutes every hour or so-get a cup of coffee, walk around, make a quick phone call, check Make sure this doesn’t turn into procrastination! Make sure this doesn’t turn into procrastination!

STEP FIVE Switch subjects frequently (~30 minutes per subject) Switch subjects frequently (~30 minutes per subject) Tackle difficult assignments first Tackle difficult assignments first Make mini-deadlines (if something is due in a month, have a draft due 2 weeks before) Make mini-deadlines (if something is due in a month, have a draft due 2 weeks before) Learn to handle procrastination Learn to handle procrastination DON’T WAIT TILL THE LAST MINUTE!!! DON’T WAIT TILL THE LAST MINUTE!!!

CHECKPOINT: What is the best way to study? What is the best way to study? A. Work on one assignment until it is done A. Work on one assignment until it is done B. Switch subjects and take periodic study breaks B. Switch subjects and take periodic study breaks There is no right answer-this depends on the topic and your level of interest, as well as when it needs to be completed. Try to switch subjects as a rule to keep your motivation high!!! There is no right answer-this depends on the topic and your level of interest, as well as when it needs to be completed. Try to switch subjects as a rule to keep your motivation high!!!

NOTE-TAKING

NOTE-TAKING Golden Rule-Don’t expect to write every word of the teacher’s lecture! Need to prepare for notes before class and review notes after class

BEFORE CLASS Have class assignments read before class Have class assignments read before class Skim chapter-reread after class. Sometimes you understand the chapter more after attending class Skim chapter-reread after class. Sometimes you understand the chapter more after attending class Review notes from prior class- most discussions pick up where it left off Review notes from prior class- most discussions pick up where it left off

TAKING NOTES Always date your notes Always date your notes Put heading/class topic on top of paper Put heading/class topic on top of paper Write notes in phrase form, rather than sentence form Write notes in phrase form, rather than sentence form Write notes on one side of paper if you want to add information later Write notes on one side of paper if you want to add information later

NOTE-TAKING SYSTEMS Outline method-write down key themes, and use indentation to show lesser points (use capital letters, roman numerals, or numbers to outline) Outline method-write down key themes, and use indentation to show lesser points (use capital letters, roman numerals, or numbers to outline) Paragraph- write first main topic and write underneath—separate ideas. Headings will help you study for exam. Paragraph- write first main topic and write underneath—separate ideas. Headings will help you study for exam.

NOTE-TAKING SYSTEMS (cont.) Mapping method-notes are recorded in chart or graphic method (this is often a more complex method for note taking and should only be used once you are comfortable with the other techniques of note taking) Mapping method-notes are recorded in chart or graphic method (this is often a more complex method for note taking and should only be used once you are comfortable with the other techniques of note taking)

WHAT TO INCLUDE IN NOTES Main points Main points Definitions Definitions Theories Theories Formulas Formulas Lists Lists Page references Page references Examples worked on board Examples worked on board Important Dates Important Dates Anything noted as “important to know, keep in mind for exam” Anything noted as “important to know, keep in mind for exam” Important people Important people Anything spelled out Anything spelled out Charts Charts

After Class Edit your notes-reorganize or rewrite to make more legible and understandable Edit your notes-reorganize or rewrite to make more legible and understandable Add information from book, clarify notes (missing information –get from another student or from book) Add information from book, clarify notes (missing information –get from another student or from book)

Reading Assignments Avoid over-highlighting-while it may look like you read the material, it may be harder to remember the information Avoid over-highlighting-while it may look like you read the material, it may be harder to remember the information Write notes in margin of book Write notes in margin of book Pre-read: read major headings, first paragraph, and chapter summaries first. Read for understanding. Pre-read: read major headings, first paragraph, and chapter summaries first. Read for understanding.

CHECKPOINT: What does NOT have to be included in lecture notes? What does NOT have to be included in lecture notes? Important dates Important dates Definitions Definitions Exact sentences Exact sentences Theories Theories ANSWER: exact sentences ANSWER: exact sentences

WRITING RESEARCH PAPERS

Writing Research Papers First step: Choosing a topic First step: Choosing a topic Write about something in which you are interested! Write about something in which you are interested! Avoid choosing a topic that is too broad or hard to write about Avoid choosing a topic that is too broad or hard to write about Make sure topic fits paper assignment Make sure topic fits paper assignment Make sure topic will lead into an argument on which you will base your writing Make sure topic will lead into an argument on which you will base your writing

Researching a topic: Conduct a library and online database search for your topic Conduct a library and online database search for your topic Use search words narrow enough to find articles and books related to topic Use search words narrow enough to find articles and books related to topic Reference librarians at public libraries are excellent resources; use them Reference librarians at public libraries are excellent resources; use them

Resources Most databases can be accessed through an internet connection Most databases can be accessed through an internet connection Library homepage may link you to a list of databases Library homepage may link you to a list of databases While books will give you a lot of information, use chapters –otherwise too time consuming to read While books will give you a lot of information, use chapters –otherwise too time consuming to read Journal articles should be recent, within the past 10 years Journal articles should be recent, within the past 10 years

Writing the Paper Take careful and detailed notes on each article (use notecards or legal pads) Take careful and detailed notes on each article (use notecards or legal pads) Write headings within notes to make writing the paper easier Write headings within notes to make writing the paper easier Be careful not to write down direct sentences from authors- paraphrase Be careful not to write down direct sentences from authors- paraphrase

Writing the Paper Make an outline before writing the actual paper Make an outline before writing the actual paper Helps with overall organization Helps with overall organization Make sure your thesis statement is at the end of the introduction Make sure your thesis statement is at the end of the introduction Thesis : what you are arguing, your main point, question being answered, etc. Thesis : what you are arguing, your main point, question being answered, etc.

Preparing the paper Avoid using passive tense “ex. They were given” Avoid using passive tense “ex. They were given” If you are using a specific style (ex. APA, MLA), when formatting your paper, check with manual to make sure it is right If you are using a specific style (ex. APA, MLA), when formatting your paper, check with manual to make sure it is right Use spell-check and grammar check, but remember that it will not catch every error! Use spell-check and grammar check, but remember that it will not catch every error! Keep to page limit Keep to page limit Make sure all references are cited correctly Make sure all references are cited correctly Avoid plagiarism-any idea that is not your own must be referenced. When in doubt, cite! Avoid plagiarism-any idea that is not your own must be referenced. When in doubt, cite!

STUDYING FOR EXAMS STUDYING FOR EXAMS

Studying for Exams #1 Tip: Don’t wait for the last minute to study! #1 Tip: Don’t wait for the last minute to study! Keep up with reading assignments and review notes- will make it easier to prepare for exam Keep up with reading assignments and review notes- will make it easier to prepare for exam

Essay Exams Read over the question. Use scratch paper or the margin to write quick outline of what you want to say. Read over the question. Use scratch paper or the margin to write quick outline of what you want to say. Always include a recognition of the exam question in your introduction/thesis statement Always include a recognition of the exam question in your introduction/thesis statement Make sure you address all components of the question Make sure you address all components of the question

ESSAY EXAM Don’t use complicated language or make up things to make the essay longer-use clear and concise language Don’t use complicated language or make up things to make the essay longer-use clear and concise language If you get the essay questions in advance, make an outline of the essay rather than writing it out If you get the essay questions in advance, make an outline of the essay rather than writing it out Budget your time –if you have 50 minutes to answer 4 questions, make sure you aren’t left with 5 min to answer the last one! Budget your time –if you have 50 minutes to answer 4 questions, make sure you aren’t left with 5 min to answer the last one!

Multiple Choice Exams Make sure you understand the question or ask the instructor for clarification Make sure you understand the question or ask the instructor for clarification Pace yourself. Since m/c exams don’t require as much written work; there may be lots of questions ( ). Circle the questions that have “stumped” you and come back to them later Pace yourself. Since m/c exams don’t require as much written work; there may be lots of questions ( ). Circle the questions that have “stumped” you and come back to them later

Multiple Choice Exams Try to think of answer first before looking at answers Try to think of answer first before looking at answers Uncover answers one-by-one. If you know it is not the right choice, cross it out. If it may be right, DO NOT immediately mark it as correct. There may be other better answers or a choice (e) as all of the above may exist Uncover answers one-by-one. If you know it is not the right choice, cross it out. If it may be right, DO NOT immediately mark it as correct. There may be other better answers or a choice (e) as all of the above may exist Process of elimination will help with questions you are not sure about- make an educated guess based on which ones you can rule out. Process of elimination will help with questions you are not sure about- make an educated guess based on which ones you can rule out.

ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS! Unless you are taking a test like the SAT, you won’t be penalized for wrong answers Unless you are taking a test like the SAT, you won’t be penalized for wrong answers When you have five minutes left, go back and answer all questions left unanswered-make a guess! When you have five minutes left, go back and answer all questions left unanswered-make a guess!

Short Answer Answer easy questions first; skim over questions in the beginning of the test Answer easy questions first; skim over questions in the beginning of the test Make sure you give the information asked for in the question (list, describe, theory and date) Make sure you give the information asked for in the question (list, describe, theory and date) BE CONCISE. That’s what short answers are-but make sure answer is complete BE CONCISE. That’s what short answers are-but make sure answer is complete If you only know part of the answer (ex. 3 of the 4 past presidents) write those down- may get partial credit. If you only know part of the answer (ex. 3 of the 4 past presidents) write those down- may get partial credit. Try to “visualize” your notes-what heading did the question fall under? Try to “visualize” your notes-what heading did the question fall under?

Problem Oriented Exams Used for math and science courses Used for math and science courses Less questions on exams-make take very long to answer each one Less questions on exams-make take very long to answer each one If the problem has several parts, make sure you answer each one If the problem has several parts, make sure you answer each one

Problem-oriented Exams Identify variables and what the problem is asking for-write them down Identify variables and what the problem is asking for-write them down Example (math): What is the dependant and independent variables? What variables have they given you for the regression line equation? Example (math): What is the dependant and independent variables? What variables have they given you for the regression line equation? Box answers for each part Box answers for each part

Problem-oriented Exams If you use a calculator-make sure you enter numbers correctly and round to the correct number of decimals If you use a calculator-make sure you enter numbers correctly and round to the correct number of decimals Show all work and answers in the space provided. Answers usually are awarded partial credit while work receives the majority of the credit Show all work and answers in the space provided. Answers usually are awarded partial credit while work receives the majority of the credit

Conclusion This self-paced presentation was designed to give you study skills and tips on how to achieve success in your classes This self-paced presentation was designed to give you study skills and tips on how to achieve success in your classes Incorporate these tips slowly into your normal study habits Incorporate these tips slowly into your normal study habits Remember to keep up with your notes and reading assignments Remember to keep up with your notes and reading assignments Speak to a tutor if you would like further help Speak to a tutor if you would like further help

Conclusion Every teacher at LaSalle wants you to be a successful student Every teacher at LaSalle wants you to be a successful student Every teacher will assist you in any way possible to become a successful student Every teacher will assist you in any way possible to become a successful student Ask questions; seek help; be an active participant Ask questions; seek help; be an active participant No teacher can do the learning for you! No teacher can do the learning for you!