1. Study Skill Strategies

2. Objectives
Determine what type of learner you are by completing learning style inventory
Develop better listening skills
Utilize reading strategies for improving reading comprehension
Explore varying techniques for improving memory
Implement strategies for taking tests with various types of questions.

3. Introduction
Developing good study skills is vital to your success in this class.
If developed now, they will be invaluable to you as you make the transition from high school into college.
This lesson will assist you in developing the following skills:
Determining what type of learner you are
Organizing your time by preparing a study schedule
Following instructions
Becoming a better listener
Writing more useful lecture notes
Improving your reading skills
Developing strategies for successful test taking

4. Learning Style Inventory
Determine how you learn best through completing learning style inventory

5. Attitude (handout)
This survey on attitude is designed to help you know yourself better
There is no right or wrong answers, but you must be honest with yourself
To learn and apply quality study skills, it is essential to have a positive attitude
Your attitude and motivation will make all the difference

6. Time Control Do you have a large monthly calendar?
Write all important tests, deadlines, and activities on a large monthly calendar
Place in a conspicuous location
Use color to highlight important dates

7. Time Control Use daily planning sheet to prioritize time (handout)
Do you have a weekly study plan? (handout)
Use the blank weekly study plan to visualize and organize your time
Lightly pencil in your classes and block out times to eat, sleep, work, or study

8. Time Control
Do you plan for a least one hour of study for each class period?
By keeping a regular schedule, you study time will soon become habit forming
Do you plan for study breaks?
Remember to limit your straight study time to no longer than one hour
Take a 10 minute break between study periods to refresh yourself and rest your mind

9. 30 Minutes a Day ’30 Minutes a Day Bring Good Grades Your Way
By reducing and reviewing your notes the same day, you keep information in your head
It will only take about 5-10 minutes to go through your notes!
Do this three different times during the day=30 minutes!

10. Apply 30 Minutes Make and carry flashcards Study during commercials
Go to Class-your attendance is vital to your success

11. Time Control Do you preview text assignments?
Do you review class notes from the previous class before your study time?

12. Get Organized Keep a notebook
Use a 1 ½-2 inch binder to keep your notes, handouts, study guides, homework, etc. organized
Date each lecture and number all pages in sequence

13. Listening
Listening means paying attention to and making an effort to hear what the other person is saying.
Good listening skills require constant practice.

14. Listening Techniques
Diversified Health Occupations (6th edition) – page 208
Show interest and concern for what the speaker is saying
Be alert and maintain eye contact with the speaker
Avoid interrupting the speaker

15. Listening Techniques Pay attention to what the speaker is saying
Avoid thinking about how your are going to respond
Try to eliminate your own prejudices and see the other person’s point of view
Eliminate distractions by moving to a quiet area
Watch the speaker closely to observe actions that may contradict what the person is saying

16. Listening Techniques
Reflect statements back to the speaker to let them know they are being heard
Ask for clarification if you do not understand part of a message

17. Note taking Three Systems
Outline Format
Represent key ideas by Roman numerals
Other ideas relating to each key idea by uppercase letters, numbers and lowercase letters
Paragraph Format
Involves writing detailed paragraphs, with each containing a summary of a topic
List Format
Effective when taking notes on terms and definitions, sequences and facts

18. Effective Notetaking
Always read your assignment before you come to class
Otherwise the lecture may sound as if it is in Greek
Be prepared
Identify some serious students and get to know them
Get phone numbers in case you have questions or need help during the semester
Copy everything the instructor writes on the board
Especially examples, solutions, outlines, & definitions

19. Take Notes on all: Definitions Lists Formulas or solutions
In discussion in classes, jot notes on important points
Such as conclusions reached during discussion

20. Notes Repetition is a clue that an important point is being made
Stay involved with class discussion.
Ask questions, especially when things are unclear
Use symbols, diagrams, or drawings to simplify ideas
Listen for signals from your instructor about what is important
Voice changes usually indicate important points

21. Make it Easy Abbreviate, Omit, Invent and Simplify
Distribute handout (abbreviations for notetaking)

22. Improving Reading Skills
Not everyone is blessed with good reading ability
Reading can be developed with practice
We will discuss a five step strategy that will improve your reading skills by becoming a more critical reader
RRR

23. R #1- Read and Underline Read each section
After each section, go back to the beginning and underline, highlight, or mark material that is important and make up your own test questions
Read a paragraph or a section of the text and go back and underline only main points
Do not underline the first time you read material

24. Read and Underline
Vertical lines -- place vertical lines in the margin to emphasize main points of several lines
Asterisks -- use asterisks for main points and for other important points or ideas that may be important
Definitions and examples -- underline all definitions. Write definition in margin. Put ( ) around examples

25. Read and Underline Don’t highlight everything- just key points
Circle or boxes - some circle or box important concepts, ideas or subheadings

26. R #2-Recite and Write Study Notes
Once you have formed questions on your reading and found the answers, now you are ready to recite the answers
Recite the answers out loud or to yourself
Write brief study notes
Write a sentence summary of the main idea in each paragraph if the material is extremely difficult for you

27. R #3-Review the Entire Chapter
Reread each heading
Review the underlined and highlighted material
Answer the questions you formed on each session

28. Memory Training
Human beings are capable of extraordinary feats of memory
You are not born with it but develop it through the use of various techniques, and considerable practice
These memory steps if learned and practiced, can make your studying easier

29. R Memory Training #1 Recite material aloud
When you study or memorize, recite the answers to your study questions so you can hear them
Question yourself aloud and answer yourself
Quiz each other

30. O Memory Training #2 Overlearn
Review material that you have learned several times
When finals come around your will have mastered material

31. O Memory Training #3 Organize the material
People who recall long lists of numbers often can do so because they have found a pattern or relationship

32. Memory Training - #4 S
A. Spread your memory work over several sessions
Shorter periods of memory work, not more than two hours each, are far superior to six hours of frantic cramming

33. T Memory Training #5 Test and retest yourself Memorize the first item
Go on to the second item and memorize it
Now repeat the first item and the second by memory
When you know those two, go to the third
Memorize the third item and repeat items one, two, and three

34. E Memory Training #6 Expect to remember Your attitude is the secret
Believe in yourself and in your ability to learn
Elephants never forget

35. R Memory Training #7 Use silly phrases and catchwords
Come up with acronyms and pnemonics

36. Memory Training O-Overlearn
S-Spread your memory work over several sessions
T-Test and retest yourself
E-Expect to remember
R-Recall-use hooks, catchwords and silly sentences
Use hooks, catchwords, and silly sentence
Study before you sleep
ROOSTER-catchword for remembering how to train our memory
R-Recite material aloud
O-Organize your material into a meaningful pattern

37. Taking Exams Look over the entire test
Know how much each question is worth and budget your time accordingly
Check the clock every 10 minutes to insure you will not be caught off guard and run out of time
Answer the easiest questions first
Put a check by those that are harder and return to those questions last

38. Taking Exams
Place another line through the check when you complete the harder questions
Underline key words in the question
Make special note of negative words like “not”
Ask for clarification