(What you absolutely need to know to get your semester back on track)

What you need to know: The PAR Study Cycle Lecture Prep Text Reading Note taking Reviewing

Step 1: Preview

BEFORE THE LECTURE PREPARATION Scan/survey all assigned readings Have all necessary materials Be on time – arrive early to review Set up your note paper with recall columns 5

How to Scan Your Readings (The SQ3R Study Method) Scan / S Scan / Survey Question Read Record / Recite Review 6

SCAN / SURVEY (do at least this to prepare for lecture) Survey the chapter Scan the text Read overviews and summaries 7

QUESTION (do this if you have time) Ask yourself questions Use subtitles for questions Search for the answer 8

READ for detail: (do this if you have more time) Answer questions as you go Take frequent, short breaks 9

RECORD / RECITE (do this if you have even more time) Put things in your own words Carefully select information to be recorded Close the book and try to answer the questions you made up Make sure that you understand a section before you move on 10

REVIEW (the more the better) Immediately Weekly Start from the beginning every time Plan for short, frequent review sessions 11

Step 2: ATTEND

DURING THE LECTURE LISTEN & WATCH Listen Effective listening is active listening “engage” the speaker Requires student to listen-think-write Record Focus on main ideas, use short form and symbols If you miss a point, make a note of it and leave space to go back to it later Use pictures and diagrams 13

Taking Effective Lecture Notes Keep notes for each class separate Write on one side of the page only Avoid doodling during the lecture Use abbreviations Mark main ideas with a star Pay close attention to transitional words Take down examples that are given Review your notes immediately after class to ensure optimal retention 14

The Cornell Notetaking Method

How Can I Tell What is Important in the Lecture? Listen for… - Key phrases - Connection to previous lectures - Agreement / disagreement with text - Repetition of key points / terms - examples Watch instructor to see if he/she… - Consults lecture notes closely - Counts new points on fingers - Raises / lowers voice - Speaks more slowly, enunciates clearly - Writes key points on chalkboard or overhead - Distributes handouts - Shows enthusiasm 16

Step 3: REVIEW (and why it’s essential)

The Curve of Forgetting

The Value of Review

REVIEW Schedule Immediately Weekly Start from the beginning every time Plan for short, frequent review sessions 20