1. Effective study skills: Reading & Notemaking
Dr. Tamara O’Connor
Student Learning Development,
Trinity College Dublin
Learn active, deep processing strategies
Explore the different purposes for study tasks
Learn about active reading and note making strategies
Practise using learning strategies
Study skills for college – remembering what worked for you in school or work but then being
Aware of the differences in college and making adjustments.
Today we’ll focus on reading and notetaking but we’ll touch on other areas too.

2. Learning Objectives Learn active, deep processing strategies
Explore the different purposes for study tasks
Learn about active reading and note making strategies
Practise using learning strategies

3. I’m just going to the library for 4 hours….
(I’ll work out what I’ll study when I get there)

4. Active studying means
Working with the material to try to build understanding
Find a way process the information in a deep and meaningful way
Make your study more alive.

5. How? Have a framework PSR Think about the purpose of the study task
Consider the best way to approach it
Reflect and review
PSR
Purpose – why?
Strategy – how?
Review – check!

6. Discussion (5 mins) How do you study (reading/notes) ?
How do you take read?
How do you take notes?
There are other ways to revise, ask friends, tutors etc. what they do.

7. Reading
Reading List
School curriculum is limited – you can usually cover most, if not all of it. You get the opportunity to
Revise in class and via homework.
College curriculum
You can’t cover 100% of the course and the content is more difficult, requires time to understand.
Have to be smart about what to cover
Look ahead to the year in advance

8. Good Reading is like Interrogation
Have a purpose for reading.
Why are you reading?
Increases your motivation.
Gives you a reason and something to look for.
Good Reading is like Interrogation

9. Get reading – actively! Purpose Strategies to suit: Review Scanning
SQ3R
Note making
Review

10. Ebbinghaus Forgetting Curve
Schedule Time for Reviews

11. Get Thinking - Reading Asking questions
What is the point of view of author?
Evaluate evidence
Forming opinions
Overview
Summarise main points
Understanding
Get the gist of the topic
Gather supporting evidence
Critique or evaluate
enjoyment

12. Being Selective Ask lectures/tutors what is most relevant
Be alert for hints and clues
Ask fellow students
Ask students in years ahead
Share reading
Preview or skim before in-depth reading

14. Taking Notes

15. Ok, I’m finding it hard to concentrate, I’ll make a
good effort to make
precise notes.
“I feel like I’m being taken advantage
of – doing work not related to my PhD”
Place

16. Activate your brain
Copy and Paste Makes it Dangerous
Perfect Copy

17. Notes Your Summary Notes Review Notes Source Exams Or Essays
Create summary sheets by topic, main idea or concept.
Use diagramming, charting, outlining, mind maps, writing or tables.

18. You want to be looking at questions
Ok, let’s look at training – preparing and revising for the exam event.
I mentioned the importance of knowing the type of exam because you’ll approach them differently.
MCQ – Multiple Choice Question – exams are where there’s a stem (Tissue oedema is caused by) and then a list of options (a, b, c, d) that you have to choose the right answer from.
This type of exam is looking for you to be able to recognise the right information and it requires accurate knowledge. What does this mean in terms of how you revise?
Do not get distracted by false answers
There are different types: T/F,
What does this mean in terms of revision?
You want to be looking at questions

19. Types of Notes Prose or summary Outline or skeleton
Mind or concept maps
Cornell or 2 Column
How do you take notes?

20. Summary

21. Outline

22. Concept Maps

23. Mind Maps

24. ?

25. Taking Notes Write brief notes here as you are reading a book
Keywords or Questions
here
Write brief notes here as
you are reading a book
OR during a lecture
Write a short summary of the page here

26. Taking Notes Types of Matter Solids -have a definite shape
Liquids ?
Types of Matter
Solids
-have a definite shape
-have a defiinte volume
Liquids
-Do not have a shape
- Have a volume
Write a short summary of the page here

28. More information
Cottrell, S. (2003). The study skills handbook, 2nd ed. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
Fairburn, G.J. & Fairburn, S.A. (2001). Reading at university: a guide for students. Maidenhead: Open University Press.

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Any Questions?