The keys to your success! Study Skills/Habits The keys to your success!

Study Habits That Work Study Skills Effective Study Strategy SQ3R Time Management Class Time Note-Taking Hints Test-Taking Techniques Preparing for Test Taking the Test

Effective Studying Skills Good Note Taking Skills Notebook per each class/subject Time Management Skills Wear a Watch

STUDY SKILLS Include homework assignments along with writing papers and seeking information to prepare presentations. Good Study Skills Support Being Efficient Being Effective Taking Test Demonstrating the Basics

Additional Study Skills Needed Comprehending (understanding what you read) Thinking critically and objectively Thinking creatively and subjectively Identifying patterns Using reference materials Identifying resources Using time wisely Selecting strategies

Why is it such a problem? Most students are not used to needing “actual” study time- they have done very well in middle school! Unsure of how to study Starting now might seem overwhelming Procrastination!!!

PROCRASTINATION Perfectionism Fear of Failure Confusion Task Difficulty Poor Motivation Difficulty Concentrating Task Unpleasantness Lack of Priorities

The Mystery Can be Solved! Prioritize & Make Goals Commit to the Task - Studying Reward Yourself – “A”

Developing an Effective Study Strategy - A Plan of Action Location, location, and location Develop a battle rhythm Avoid noise and distractions Ask friends and family to support you. Just say No Sleep, eat, and exercise Schedule 50 blocks of study Study in the daylight as much as possible Clear mind of distractions/all thoughts when trying to remember something Give yourself a break

SQ3R A Reading/Study System Reading text books is different than reading novels. Try these steps. Survey – Look at headings, chapters, and setup of material (Overview). Question – Establish purpose of reading. Read – Use a slow thorough reading to understand content.

SQ3R A Reading/Study System Reading text books is different than reading novels. Try these steps. Recite – Exercise your aural ability to learn and/or Paraphrase what you have read. Review – Check accuracy of your recall with what you have read. An ongoing process.

Time Management There are not enough hours in the day! Manage Your Time Keep a “To Do List” Use a Planner Calendar Check up

Time Management Manage Your Time Monitor your time Reflect on how you spend your time Be aware of when you are wasting time (Procrastinating) Use dead time wisely Identify your most productive time

Time Management Keep a “To Do List” Write down task that you have to do Decide on priorities Check off items Reward self

Time Management Use a Planner Calendar Plan ahead Enter important dates (quizzes, exams, project deadlines, assignments due) Always check the next day’s schedule. Get notes for days absent from class Check/review planner daily/weekly

Time Management Check Up Are you using your time to the best of your advantage Are you studying when you planned to study – “Commitment” Determine where you can use your time more effectively

Making the Most of Class Time Prepare your attitude Be prompt. Being late shows a lack of interest (Disruptive) Be prepared. Have homework, books, notebook, pen/pencil, etc. Ask questions/participate, do you understand assignments, material covered

Making the Most of Class Time Avoid distractions, concentrate how what instructor is saying Listen Effective listening will enable you to improve comprehension of material Note-taking Good reading and listening skills are the foundation for effective note taking

Note-Taking Hints Do not try to write down every word that the speaker says Condense the information Listen for information that the speaker repeats; it is probably important If you miss something, ask the instructor to repeat it

Note-Taking Hints Listen for key phrases and transitions such as “The four Causes were” “To sum up” “Therefore” “In Conclusion” “This is important” “Remember” “Memorize” “You should know”

Test-Taking Techniques Two essentials to test taking Knowledge Attitude Have a strategy for taking the entire test Recognize characteristics of specific question types and directions Get a good night sleep

Preparing for Tests Best preparation is to keep up with assignments (i.e. get notes, assignments, etc from friend for absent days) Review class notes daily Visualize material covered Allocate study time and commit to studying Arrive early or at least on time

Preparing for Tests Get good night sleep Look over the entire test before answering any questions if possible Pick parts of test that you know and do those first Look for answers to hard questions in other parts of the test Review answers before turn in test

Taking the Test Test are composed of two main components Directions or Directives: Tell you how to answer the questions Test Questions Question Formats: test are used to determine how much you know about given subject Objective Questions Subjective Questions

Directives Compare Contrast Criticize Define Describe Diagram Discuss Enumerate Evaluate Explain Illustrate Inference Interpret Justify List Outline Prove Relate Review State Summarize Trace

Taking the Test Objective Questions Test your ability to recall, compare, or contrast information and to choose the right answer among several choices Multiple Choice Binary Choice Short Answer

Objective Questions Multiple Choice Question Most popular format Typically given 4 choices and asked to choose best answer Use process of elimination “All of the above” is typically correct if more than one choice is correct

Objective Questions Binary Choice Question Are really multiple choice questions with only 2 choices (True/False; Yes/No; Agree/Disagree) Qualifiers like – “never,” “always” “none” and “only” usually indicate a False statement. They require statement to be 100% correct to be true. Qualifiers like – “Sometimes,” “Often,” “Generally,” and Frequently” usually indicate a True statement.

Taking the Test Subjective Question Demand same information as recall, but asks that you use critical thinking strategies to answer the question and then organize, write, and revise a written response. Essay Reading Comprehension

The Key to Academic Success STUDYING Studying is a process learned through trial and error Discover a strategy that works for you and make it work Good Luck! Remember, it takes practice, practice, practice!