Study Skills Where do we begin?

What does “study skills” encompass? content specific study skills content specific study skills learning styles learning styles test prep test prep organization/planning organization/planning improving concentration improving concentration textbook study skills textbook study skills time management time management taking notes taking notes memorization techniques memorization techniques comprehension strategies comprehension strategies (the list goes on) (the list goes on)

Why focus on study skills? We are moving to a “preview” mindset instead of a “review” mindset (a paradigm shift as James would say) We are moving to a “preview” mindset instead of a “review” mindset (a paradigm shift as James would say) It’s like preventative medicine, getting a check-up It’s like preventative medicine, getting a check-up It focuses on the process instead of the product It focuses on the process instead of the product Time + Effort ≠ Success Time + Effort ≠ Success Time + Effort + (RS) = Success Time + Effort + (RS) = Success

Disclaimer Generalizations are not 100% true all of the time Generalizations are not 100% true all of the time What works for most people may not work for your students What works for most people may not work for your students The best way to help your students learn to study well is to tailor study skills to them The best way to help your students learn to study well is to tailor study skills to them

Individualizing Studying Learning Styles Learning Styles Visual Visual Auditory Auditory Kinesthetic Kinesthetic Multiple Intelligences (Gardner) Multiple Intelligences (Gardner)

Concentration It is a skill that can be practiced and improved It is a skill that can be practiced and improved Myth: good students can concentrate for hours at a time Myth: good students can concentrate for hours at a time Average concentration span for reading textbooks is 16 min Average concentration span for reading textbooks is 16 min Concentration Cycle – more optimistic, up to 40 min deep concentration Concentration Cycle – more optimistic, up to 40 min deep concentration Encourage students to monitor their concentration Encourage students to monitor their concentration

Improving Concentration Create interest in doing the task Create interest in doing the task Choose a good time/location Choose a good time/location Deal with internal distractions Deal with internal distractions Use active learning strategies Use active learning strategies Use the learning style you prefer, if it will work for the task Use the learning style you prefer, if it will work for the task Monitor when you lose concentration Monitor when you lose concentration

Test Preparation Reasons to help students with test prep: Reasons to help students with test prep: There may be 10 to 20 times as much information covered on a college level test compared to a high school test There may be 10 to 20 times as much information covered on a college level test compared to a high school test Students may suffer from test anxiety Students may suffer from test anxiety They may be studying the wrong way They may be studying the wrong way

Test Preparation Determine what is important to study Determine what is important to study Did the teacher specify what was on the test? Did the teacher specify what was on the test? What is the test format? What is the test format? Predict questions that will be on the test Predict questions that will be on the test

Test Preparation Organize all Materials Organize all Materials Information for a test may be in multiple locations Information for a test may be in multiple locations Syllabus Syllabus Review Sheets Review Sheets Notes Notes Textbooks Textbooks Get all info in one place and then start studying Get all info in one place and then start studying

Test Preparation Develop a Plan Develop a Plan Use past test experiences to help Use past test experiences to help Utilize their preferred learning style Utilize their preferred learning style Exam planning sheet Exam planning sheet

Exam Planning Sheet