1. Study Skills Stoneburner, A., et al.

2. How to manage your time more effectively
Take ownership of your time
Planning your schedule
Know your daily alertness pattern
Allow sufficient time for each aspect/subject
Long term
Intermediate
Short term
Making your schedule work!

3. Avoid Distractions/Time Wasters
Computer
Phone – turn it off
Visitors – do not disturb sign
Clear work area of clutter
Ineffective planning
Procrastination!

4. Procrastination Why do we procrastinate? Perfectionism Fear of failure
Fear of success
Laziness
Rebellion

5. Motivation Motivation can be improved!
Motivation is influenced by both
internal and external factors.
Motivation is not a stable trait.
It is not an innate part of your character.
Motivation can be improved!
Things both inside you and outside you can affect your motivation level.
Outside – peer pressure, parental pressure
Inside – Your beliefs about your ability;sick
Stable – does not stay the same
Innate – not part of who you are at birth
You can learn to adjust your motivation levels.
“I’m just not motivated!” You are motivated to do something like sit on the couch and watch TV. We are all motivated to eat, sleep.

6. What is the relationship?
Motivation Hard Work
There is a fundamental difference in the way students think about academic success.
Most would say – Motivation leads to hard work –TRUE
BUT, it is also true that Hard Work can lead to motivation!
As you begin to taste success, you will want more of it and be MOTIVATED to get more.
Discipline – Choosing to do something even though you don’t want to do it/don’t feel like it!

7. Tips on overcoming procrastination
Set personal contract/goals
Reminders
Routine
Do it when you think of it!
Remind yourself of the consequences of procrastination
Bits and pieces

8. Start preparing for tests in class
Note taking strategies
Go to every class
Develop good listening habits
Outline
Abbreviate
Identify main points
Review notes that day
Don’t just listen to facts – you’ll miss the big picture

9. NEWS FLASH! It is VERY IMPORTANT that you read your textbook
Don’t wait until last minute
It is best to read text before lecture

10. When to Review Frequently during the semester
Attend study sessions run by the professor
Schedule several final review sessions—not one long one
The night before– briefly review main points and get some sleep
Do not study immediately before test time
Review subjects daily and weekly
anxiety and memory loss may develop if you study right before

11. Ways to improve studying
Develop a schedule
Study one subject for one hour at a time
Keep all materials for one class in same notebook
Predict possible ?’s
Go over previous tests (if available)
Make Charts

12. Ways to improve studying--continued
Use visual aids
Instead of highlighting, use SQ4R
Summarize, Question, Read, Recite, Review, ‘Riting
Avoid Cramming
Make information personally meaningful
Quiz yourself frequently and in the way you will be tested
Get help when struggling
Get help when struggling
Tutors, disability assistance, academic and/or personal counselors

13. Study Environment Keep regular study hours
Be comfortable, but not too comfortable
Use a clean, clear work space
Assemble all required materials
Limit distractions – QUIET!
Ask the students – Positive study environment?
Study hours – set a weekly schedule (TIME MGMT)
Comfortable – Library? Where else?
Work space – not cluttered ;
Materials: have everything you need so you will not be interrupted.
Distractions – What are distractions for you?
Computer , telephone, radio, sleep

14. Avoiding Cramming I Repetition Aids Retention
Review (Reading and Comprehending)
Daily Reviews
Take 10 minutes after each lecture to review the day’s material.
Do this within 24 hours.
Use the recall column now.
What is cramming? Not an efficient way to study!
Reviewing – involves more than rereading notes.
Comprehension – memorization – deep thinking
Daily – 10 minutes within 24 hours
Use recall now for questions, comments, summaries, important points. To add in what you forgot to write.
Repetition Aids Retention

15. Avoiding Cramming II Weekly Reviews
Allow one hour per class each week to review all material for the week.
Integrate all the information to get the “big picture.”
Weekends are a good time.
Weekly
May need to review more than one weeks material depending on length of time between tests.
Keep it current in mind.
Very Important – KEY to studying for exams! Most is already done! You should only have to work on difficult concepts the night before a test, maybe memorize a few terms, but not reread the textbook or memorize your notes.

16. Studying in Groups Keep groups small; 2-5 people
Ask each other questions
It’s OK to disagree.
Take a break when needed, whether it’s to energize or cool off after a disagreement
Explaining a concept to another person helps you learn more effectively
People are going to have different ideas, especially when drawing conclusions

17. If you feel bogged down while studying…
Get up and move
Stretch
Drink water
Shower
Then go back and review notes

18. Keep yourself in good shape
Get plenty of sleep
Eat nutritious meals
Exercise
Take time out for fun
Play hard, study hard, and don’t worry about one while doing the other

19. Test Anxiety Tips to Reduce…
Don’t put your whole future on the line with a single test. It’s unlikely that one test will “make or break” you
Learn relaxation techniques to control anxiety
Deep breathing
Muscle relaxation
Visualization
Positive Self-talk

20. Test Anxiety What causes it? Pressure Past experiences Fear of failure
“I’ve invested all this time and money, I don’t want to waste it or have to re-take a class.”
Past experiences
“I never do well, no matter how much I study, so why study at all?”
Fear of failure
If I don’t do well on this test, I won’t graduate or get a job.”

21. Tips to Reduce Test Anxiety--continued
Don’t fall into the trap of having low expectations - Studying can bring results!
Don’t try to compete with others
Improve concentration by using self-discipline
learn in the way that’s best for you
(use previous skills to avoid distractions)

22. Tips to Reduce Test Anxiety--continued
Budget your time during the test
If you feel anxious, take a mini-break to get some water or fresh air
Don’t change an answer unless you know your second one is correct!
Don’t panic when you don’t know an answer
Eliminate options that are incorrect and make an educated guess

23. Where to study Set the right atmosphere
To Avoid distractions
To Be comfortable (but not too comfortable)
To Organize your work area
Try to study in the same place every time – this will train your mind for “work mode”
Try to study under same conditions as when you will take the exam

24. Academic success is within your reach!!!!
Increase motivation
Find a positive study environment
Actively listen and take accurate class notes
Read text before class
Review daily and weekly
Overview of study techniques.
Beginning of semester – Great time to get a fresh start with your study habits!
If time – Questions?