Effective study skills: Reading & Notemaking Dr. Tamara O’Connor Student Learning Development, Trinity College Dublin http://student-learning.tcd.ie 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.

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

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

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.

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!

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.

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

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

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

Ebbinghaus Forgetting Curve Schedule Time for Reviews

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

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

Taking Notes

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

Activate your brain Copy and Paste Makes it Dangerous Perfect Copy

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.

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

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

Summary

Outline

Concept Maps

Mind Maps

?

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

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

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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