1. Study Skills and Test Taking
Welcome!
Study Skills and Test Taking
Chynthia Siddons
John T. Hoggard High School

2. Today I will show you several different study skills/habits, not all methods shown today will help everyone. Each student will need to figure out what study methods work best for them.
Each student is different with different backgrounds, different previous teachers, classes, etc.
Disclaimer!
Your job is to try different things until you find out what works for YOU!

3. If what you’re doing is not working, something has to change.
Many students keep studying the same way over and over and do not see any different results. It’s like putting a square peg in a round hole. Will it work? Can you expect different results by doing the same thing over and over?

4. Our way--- not their way
New (to parents)
Basics
IPod/ MP3
Pen
Word processing
Pencil
Internet Videos
Paper
Printers
Binders
Colored highlighters/markers

5. Skills to learn Study Habits/Skills Organization Study Groups
Color coordination
Retyping Notes
Study Groups
Test Yourself
Note cards
Practice Problems
Skills
to learn

6. Practice makes perfect
Brain—How does it work?
Nerve Cells---
pathway—key build the synaptic paths.
Repeating tasks—creates larger pathways… that build your memory
Build repetition into your study
Using your senses: sight, touch, hearing
Different methods for different courses

7. What do you study? Notes Practice problems/HW sheets
Textbook/Lab Manual or sheets
Online videos/games
Listen to your notes

8. A. Notes
Objectives-North Carolina Essential Standards (Previously SCOS)—Know what you are to learn.
Feel free to use multiple resources- not only your class notes, but from a variety of resources.
Bullets are better than lengthy paragraphs.
Colors engage different areas of the brain. Use color to identify with certain points, or types. Red.. Definition, green… example problems… colors associated with content will help you learn and memorize. Be creative.

9. Notes - continued
Headings are a high effective way to boost memory retentions. (Lists)
Are your notes easy to read, can you study them without getting tired? Trying to read messy notes can be exhausting. Must be neat.
Rewriting or typing written notes. Be creative.
Printing out power points notes prior to lecture and using those slides to take notes.
Show how to change and copy PowerPoint into outline format,

10. Notes - continued
Printing double sided pages will help with weight and save space in your notebook.
Keeping your notes organized, place them in the same place so that you don’t have to search for them.
My webpage

11. See Examples
Handout 1- Typed notes
Handout 2- Written notes

12. B. Textbook Self-Check Exercises Problems at the end of the chapter
Look at your textbooks table of contents, and link the essential standards to the chapters in the text.
Self-Check Exercises
Key Terms at the end of the chapter
Problems at the end of the chapter

13. So you must use your notes and textbook!
B. Textbook
Books show all things equally- there is no emphasis on certain topics as with lectures
So you must use your notes and textbook!

14. B. Textbook Brown/Tan boxes- Step wise directions for problem solving.
Example problems with answers worked out.
Tables
Appendix

15. C. Practice problems & HW worksheets
Do assignments right away, your brain will remember, if you wait, then you will not retain the information. The homework reinforces what is taught in class.
Link new information to old information
Easier to walk down paths you have already been before
Practice output: write & speak

16. D. Online videos/games
Sometimes, hearing the information once, is just not enough. Seek out help.
The following sites are great for chemistry review.
Video Links by topic
Khan Academy
Textbook flashcards
Game to learn elements

17. E. Listen to your notes
Most computers/laptops/phones all now have a way to record your voice.
Read and record your notes.
If you do this, you can listen to them on the go and basically double your study time!

18. Test Taking Skills
Before the test
During the test
After the test

19. Before the test
Complete all assignments-do it the night it is assigned.
Prepare for class by reading the chapter and notes prior to class. (Be Proactive)
Take good notes during lectures and lab
Read notes each night, reading again what you read the night before.
Mark any information that is confusing, write notes in the margins, determine what you need to look up, memorize, and practice
You may need to go back and review previous material

20. Before the test Review chapter and state Objectives
Tutoring- Teacher/Group/Classmates
Determine your best method of study (Handout 4)
Take notes during lab, bell work, & lecture
ASK… if you do not understand something, first try to find the answer on your own (you will learn from this), ask a classmate, and if you can not figure it out, then ask me.

21. Before the test
Have confidence in yourself. If you have the attitude that you can’t do it, you will never do it. Change your way of looking at chemistry.
IF you are having difficulty with math problems, do more than what is assigned. Eventually, you will understand them.
Think up possible test questions and answer them. Use notes and quizzes to make a test for yourself , take it, see how you do.

22. Before the test
Review all previous material, as my tests are cumulative, and usually have about 5-8 questions from previous units on them.
Use mnemonics, which are devices to help you memorize large amounts of information.
Become Interested in the Subject
Look for points of view
Question and be skeptical
Predict outcomes
Look for connections/relationships

23. Before the test Know how to use your reference tables. Know Yourself
Take advantage of your learning style
Use your perceived strengths
Know your limits
Exclude Distractions
Know your distractions and intentionally remove them
Identify patterns of distraction and break them
Know how to use your reference tables.
If it’s on there, you need to know how to use it.

24. Procrastination-Avoid it
Students need to study a little every day, not just cram the night before the test.
Get a planner-Be aware of deadlines, and work on projects, lab reports, current events, a little at time.
Time Management is key to success in this class and future classes

25. Get plenty of rest the night before the test!
Your brain pathways will not function properly if you have not had enough rest.
On chemistry tests, you need to think and be able to apply what you have learned to a variety of situations, if you are so tired that you can not think, you will not do well.
Cramming does not work! (it is better than nothing, but only puts information into short-term memory)

26. Test Anxiety Strategies
Stop negative thoughts…
Think positive
Admit anxiety
Improve the situation

27. Use some or all of the following strategies to be proactive.
Plan Your Attack
You are in control.
Use some or all of the following strategies to be proactive.
Visualize – See success in your mind
Relax – Think about something or someplace you enjoy
Focus – Try to remember the helpful tools and study methods you have learned
Breathe – Take several controlled, deep breaths
Notice – Be aware of how your body reacts to anxiety and make a conscious effort to relax your muscles

28. During the test Read each question carefully
Focus on key words or underline them if allowed to write on tests.
Be alert for terms, “NOT”, “EXCEPT” in a question.
Read EVERY answer choice.
Pace yourself. Know how many questions there are on the test, and how long you have to take it.
Check over your work before you hand it in.

29. After the test
Go through your notes and highlight the topics that were covered on the test (remember the tests are cumulative and sometimes the same questions are used)
Write down topics that you did not recall for the test.

30. When you get the test back
Evaluate the questions that you missed, take notes on the concepts that you missed.
Prepare a personalized Study Guide based on the material that you found difficult during a test.
Complete a Root Cause Analysis. (Handout 5)
Be sure to evaluate the questions that you may of “guessed” correctly.

31. Test Prep Chart
Evaluate your test prep chart to get new ideas or to mark what worked for you on this test.
Don’t get discouraged! Your attitude can have a huge impact on your future success!

32. Chemistry is Cumulative
If your background is weak (as shown by difficulties with concepts or skills in problems from early chapters and you know you can’t do it.) Do extra work early to bring your level up to the expected level of knowledge.
Get help when you need it! The more you get behind, the harder it is to catch up.. It may be hard to catch up but with determination you can do it.

33. Review these handouts 1 & 2- Example notes
3 - Ten Ways to pass your next chemistry exam
4 -Test Prep Chart
5- Chemistry Study & test taking skills
6- Root Cause Analysis Sheet
7- Note taking Skills

34. Thank you
Today you invested time in your child's future, I hope that you can use this information not only for chemistry, but for all classes that you will take in the future.