Effective Study Habits goggle images … for the university student

Agenda 1. Reasons for going to school 2. Motivators and drivers 3. Goal setting and decision making 4. Learning effective study habits

Meet and Greet Tell us why you have chosen this subject to study Introduce yourself and your academic interests Tell us why you have chosen this subject to study What is your favourite TV show, book, or movie (why?)

Reasons for School Critical to understand your direction: Do you know what you want out of your education? - job, knowledge, social connection, etc… Are you supporting a career choice through your education? Have you spoken to a Career Counsellor yet? goggle images

Taking Career Inventory Analyzing and reflecting on your career path correlates to personal and professional satisfaction. Helps to order your life priorities. Measures whether your job and/or career path matches your personality, needs, interests, and values. Determines personal choice and encourages strategic and planned life moves.

by a process of making decisions that fit your life. Why…? To envision your future… by a process of making decisions that fit your life.

The Thinking Man Musée Rodin Making Decision The Thinking Man Musée Rodin

Decision Making If you want to lead your life effectively, you will need to be able to make good decisions, on many platforms. If you can master this skill then it help to lead you into a well-deserved success. If you falter (delay), or don’t take decision making serious, you risk failure. Learn to make the best decisions possible, so you can map out predicted consequences and successes.

Life is the sum of all your choices. ~ Albert Camus Decision-making matters. goggle images

Reasons for Indecisiveness Negative self-talk can inhibit successful outcomes. If you find some of the negative self-talk items listed below, seek to reverse this thinking: Anticipation of failure, may be due to low self-confidence or low self-esteem. Dominated by negative self-talk: ‘you can’t do this’, ‘don’t bother you are going to fail anyway’. ‘loser’, or any personal put-down. Easily influenced or impressed by the ideas or principles of others, stop, yours are just as good. Getting frustrated with trivial setbacks, expect the unexpected.

Contemplation "It's not the strongest of the species, nor the most intelligent, that survive; it the one most responsive to change.” ~ Charles Darwin

Why do people change? Change tends to coincide with a shift in values, ideals, and/or standards. Motivation to change has to come from within. No amount of bullying or nagging by others will be enough to steer a person towards change. Understanding the process of change and having a structure to refer to helps greatly.

Change Patterns How does change affect you? Do you resist or embrace change? Are you aware of change patterns in your life? Can you recognize any feelings or potential self sabotage that stand in the way of making change?

Change Masters Have created an unstoppable commitment, and belief system in themselves. They know that luck is residue of design… and find luck through opportunity that they seek and act upon. They wish it, they dream it, and they do it (allowing and planning time for manifestation).

Changes If you always think the way you have always thought, You will always feel the way you have always felt. And… If you have always felt the way you have always felt, You will always do what you have always done. If you always do what you have always done, You will always get what you have always gotten. If there is no change, There is no change. ~Author Unknown

Goal Setting Goal setting is an important method of: Deciding what is important to achieve in life. Separating what is important from what is not. Motivating yourself to achievement. Building your self-confidence based on measured achievement of goals. Goal Setting Exercise / Eyes on the Shore

Key Factors to Goal Setting Be precise Set priorities Write goals down Set realistic goals Do not set goals too low State each goal positively Make goals achievable Set weekly and monthly goals Set performance goals, not outcome goals

S.M.A.R.T. Goals Specific - A specific goal has a much greater chance of being accomplished than a general goal. Measurable - Establish criteria for measuring attainment of each goal you set. When you measure your progress, you stay on track. Attainable - When you identify goals you develop attitudes, abilities, skills, and financial capacity to reach them. Realistic - A goal must represent an objective in which you are willing and able to work toward. A high goal is frequently easier to reach than a low one because of the motivational force. Timely - A goal should always be grounded within a time frame. "Someday" won't work, but if you anchor it then you put mind and energy into motion. S.M.A.R.T. Exercise

Don’t be afraid to shine! Each and everyone of us has unique skills, abilities, interests, needs, and values. This is what helps to develop our personality. It is our brilliant diversity that makes us stand out. goggle images

Find and Stay on Track DEFINE YOUR OWN PATH

What are some common warning signs and symptoms of stress? Potential Setbacks If you know the red flags, you can take early steps to deal with stressful situations: Prepare for situations—so the emotion—doesn’t spiral out of control. What are some common warning signs and symptoms of stress?

Potential Setbacks Differing goals Differing philosophies, beliefs, or values Differing perception Clashing emotional needs (pride, respect, etc) Limited commodities or resources Roles, responsibilities, and boundaries not clear Differing ways of behaving (routines, methods, procedures, styles) Differing information

Potential Setbacks Define any actual or perceived opposition of needs, values, wishes, or perceptions resulting in stress, tension or a roadblock that could kick you off track. Also, have you internalized any conflicts or setbacks?

Emotional Wheel How could some of the following emotions relate directly to your study habits? Will this help or hinder your success when you are in school and studying? Google images

Is it the cost of education? Education vs. Finance What are your motivators? Parental Perspective Student Perspective Is it the cost of education?

Motivators

Vision Declaration Statement A Vision Declaration Statement should be a concise description of an individual’s drive and purpose in life. It can incorporate socially meaningful and measurable criteria: moral/ethical, image, wants and needs, values and principles, expectations, growth plans, etc. A Vision Declaration Statement can aid in the deliberation process when making strategic decisions. The statement can range from a very simple to a very complex set of ideas.

Are you ready? Applied Accepted and go...

Studying is a learned skill STUDY SKILL: Is the learnt capacity usually acquired through training or experience, to perform actions, which achieve a desired outcome. STUDY ABILITY: Is the quality of your skills and/or performance; ability permits and facilitates achievement or accomplishment.

Effective Study Habits Pertinent issues: Stress management Problem-Solving Decision-Making Motivation – Goal Setting Understanding Personality Skills, Values, Interests Educational Background Work and Leisure Wants and Desires Significant others and their influences Labour market and current events Have you considered all angles?

Effective Study Habits How to get the most out of studying (part 1):

instigating achievement. Planning for success Building your success Friends & Family Writing Centre and your networks, Resources & Supports Break into groups: Add as many resources and supports that you can think of to become an effective student. Create a class list. Learning Space Study Groups instigating achievement.

Are you prepared? Was creating the class Resource and Support list helpful? Were there any surprises, things you hadn’t thought of? If so, which resources or supports, and why? Can you incorporate these into your own study strategy? goggle images

Know your learning style http://prettyriveracademy.com

Take the quiz Take the learning style quiz: learning styles Linguistic Verbal Visual Review: Heightened Learning – What Works for You?

Study Habits What is your first thought that comes to mind: I find it easiest to study when __________________________________. If a subject is really hard, I tend to __________________________________. The subject I most like to study is __________________________________. The subject I least like to study is __________________________________. Mayland Community College, S.O.A.R. Program, 2002

Time Management Take the Time Management Quiz (handout), to help identify aspects of time management. The results will help to gain control of your time, so you can work more efficiently. When you know how to manage time you are in better control. Necessary element in achieving multiple tasks effectively.

Organize your time How & When to study: Plan and prioritize your time Keep a weekly / monthly calendar Schedule study times, in advance, in planner Scheduling long-time assignments How to schedule when you work

Deep Processing How to get the most out of studying (part 2):

SQ3R Method of Reading Advantages of the SQ3R method (handout): Sets the stage for interacting with your text material. Gain information, formulate questions, think about what you are reading, and try to find answers to your questions. You are also reciting information out loud. These steps require the use of your auditory, visual and kinesthetic senses. When more senses are involved, more effective learning takes place. Mayland Community College, S.O.A.R. Program, 2002

More reading tips… Additional Reading Tips: Read and follow your syllabus or list of assignments. Do not fall behind, try to stay ahead in your reading. Divide assignments into readable chunks (ten pages at a time) Preview the chapter before you read, and complete all questions and chapters tests.

Creative Study Tools Review and memory tools help make studying more effective. Design your own tools or work with a group or study partner to develop them: Concept maps - create a visual diagram of your notes with the central topic at the top middle of the paper and the remaining concepts branching off from the central point. Study checklists - make a list of all the topics you are going to study and check off as you go along. 3X5 CARDS allows you to consolidate information in a format that is easy to read. They are small and easy to carry, and allow for review during free. Mnemonic devices help you remember factual information like names, dates, formulas, or other information that requires memorization (Rhymes, Creative Sentences, Acronyms, Mayland Community College, S.O.A.R. Program, 2002

Effective Study Habits YOU ARE WORTH IT!

Thoughts? Suggestions? Comments?