Presented by: Ithaca College Academic Advising Center | 130A Rothschild Place Key Resources, Strategies, & Tools for College Success

Academic Advising Center Appointment & Drop-in Hours Monday – Thursday | 9:00 am – 4:00 pm Friday | 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

Comprehensive Student Success Model V.A.R.K. College- Level Reading Study Strategies Exam Prep Time Management

What’s Your Learning Style?

V.A.R.K. Visual–concept maps, diagrams, charts, etc. Auditory–read out loud, hearing and listening Read/write–taking notes, make lists, re-write notes Kinesthetic–act of writing, moving while reading, coloring/highlighting

V.A.R.K. Self - Assessment Take a few moments and complete the VARK learning styles inventory questionnaire! How do you learn best? Do you think this self-assessment accurately reflects your learning style preferences? Why is this exercise and information applicable for this workshop?

Hitting the Books

College-Level Reading Make a connection between the readings and class content. Avoid reading a large number of pages at once. If you get to the end of a paragraph or page and can’t remember what you read – STOP! Read with purpose – jot down main ideas and highlight as needed.

Types of Reading Textbooks Preview chapters and examine chapter structure Read, summarize, and highlight sections as needed Recommended/Supplemental Readings Use supplemental materials to help you understand complex ideas Journal/Research Articles Introduction and conclusion provide valuable information Middle section usually includes methodology and statistical analysis Blogs/posts/other web-based readings What are reliable sources?

Study Strategies

Frequent and brief review of notes and Power Points Break down reading into smaller segments Look for purposeful connections between assignments/readings and course content

Study Strategies Understand that different disciplines require different ways of studying Science, Math, & Computer Science: ∙formulas, concepts, connection, problem sets, & practice Humanities & Social Sciences: ∙concepts, theories, trends, analyzing, large amount of reading, focus on papers

Tips for Exam Prep

Tip #1 | Read the Syllabus What is the exam going to look like? What information will it include? Will it be multiple choice/essay/short answer? Will it look like other exams you have taken in the course?

Tip #2 | Predict Test Questions Devise questions from the text, lectures, handouts, and materials used in class. Be aware of the following clues: Points that the professor repeats or emphasizes in class Questions asked by the professor in class Questions from quizzes, homework, handouts Student learning outcomes from syllabus

Tip #3 | Create Good Review Tools Review notes and extract main ideas and important concepts: Use Flash Cards Make a Chapter Outline Create a Study Checklist Create Mnemonics Create Mind Maps Study in a Group

How do I fit it all in?

What are my mandatory time draws? Class times Other mandatory attendance programs: work, tutor programs, extra help sessions, etc. Meals Clubs Anything that requires some of your time: Volunteer work, organizations, etc. Sleep

Where are my free blocks of time? Identify time slots that are not taken by mandatory time draws. Indicate study time/free time. Be sure to allow 3 hours per credit hour for each class!! Ex. 15 credits of class time indicates 45 hours of study time per week. Does that seem possible?

Tips for Successful Time Management Plan each day Prioritize your tasks Say no to nonessential tasks. Take the time you need to do a quality job Break large, time- consuming tasks into smaller tasks Evaluate how you're spending your time Limit distractions Get plenty of sleep, eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly Take a break when needed

Questions?