Study Skills Take time to learn some effective study skills – they will save you time and hopefully improve your grades! Check out the references on the last slide to find out where you can get more information

Time management ‘You are more likely to achieve the highest marks if you have a detailed project plan’ (James 2009 p.31) This refers to planning the EPQ, but applies to any long term project. Plan when you will do your work and make good use of your time, by using - Diary / spreadsheets / Gantt charts /Post-it notes

Week 1 / 10AMPM Mon 24 JunP1+2 – mindmap EPQ – aim and objectives lessons Tues 25 Junlessonslesson Wed 26 JunlessonsSearch for resources in library Thur 27 Junhomeworklessons Fri 28 JunP3 – start making notes lessons Sat 29 JunJob Sun 30 JunRead books Example of a weekly timetable – 6 th form

GET ORGANISED! Decide where you’re going to work Sort out computer issues Sort out library access Gather stationary – A4 pad/ printer paper/ biros/ highlighters/ notecards/ ring binders/ post-it-notes Ensure familiarity with mark schemes / EPQ paperwork Make sure you know what you’re supposed to be doing – speak to your teacher if you need clarification

How do I make effective notes? No one ‘best method’ – own learning style What to include – do I really need it? Will I use it? What question am I answering? Don’t copy and paste > not thinking / risk plagiarism Why? Method – pen down – read – sum up ideas /info in head – then write down Organise – separate files – subject dividers – headings /questions / themes – label / number – contents page (refers to notecards /A4 / computer)

Types of notes Pattern notes / spider diagrams / mind mapping / linear notes / analytical notes > helps you evaluate sources On - note cards / paper / computer (save / back up work) / post-it notes  Use abbreviations (Cottrell, 2008, p. 125)  Do record your sources as you go – you will forget where your information came from

BROWN 2006 Brown, F. (2006). Learning to make notes. Basingstoke: Palgrave Key Points Notes main points Colour coded Jot down key facts and ideas in your own words “always put quotes in speechmarks so you know what is a quote rather than your own words” page number - p15 If you’re not sure about an idea – highlight or ?? Develop your own methods for highlighting and use abbreviations Question/ analyse/ comment on what you read Evidence where did information come from? 1 person or 1000 Flaws /bias Source? Expert? Further references Note down sources for further reading Analytical notes

References Cottrell, S. (2008) The study skills handbook. 3rd ed. Basingstoke: Palgrave. James, M. (2009) AQA Extended Project Companion. Cheltenham: Nelson Thornes. Pears, R. and Shields, G. (2010) Cite them right: the essential referencing guide. 8th ed. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.