Study Skills

Created by: Pam Hutzelman & Amy Stoneburner Fortis College - Cincinnati

How to manage your time more effectively Take ownership of your time Take ownership of your time Planning your schedule Planning your schedule Know your daily alertness pattern Know your daily alertness pattern Allow sufficient time for each aspect/subject Allow sufficient time for each aspect/subject Long term Long term Intermediate Intermediate Short term Short term Making your schedule work! Making your schedule work!

Avoid Distractions/Time Wasters Computer Computer Phone – turn it off Phone – turn it off Visitors – do not disturb sign Visitors – do not disturb sign Clear work area of clutter Clear work area of clutter Ineffective planning Ineffective planning Procrastination! Procrastination!

Procrastination Why do we procrastinate? Why do we procrastinate? Perfectionism Fear of failure Fear of success Laziness Rebellion

Motivation Motivation is influenced by both internal and external factors. Motivation is not a stable trait. It is not an innate part of your character. Motivation can be improved!

What is the relationship? MotivationHard Work

Tips on overcoming procrastination Set personal contract/goals Set personal contract/goals Reminders Reminders Routine Routine Do it when you think of it! Do it when you think of it! Remind yourself of the consequences of procrastination Remind yourself of the consequences of procrastination

Start preparing for tests in class Note taking strategies Note taking strategies Go to every class Go to every class Develop good listening habits Develop good listening habits Outline Outline Abbreviate Abbreviate Identify main points Identify main points Review notes that day Review notes that day

NEWS FLASH! It is VERY IMPORTANT that you read your textbook It is VERY IMPORTANT that you read your textbook Don’t wait until last minute Don’t wait until last minute It is best to read text before lecture It is best to read text before lecture

When to Review Frequently during the semester Frequently during the semester Attend study sessions run by the professor Attend study sessions run by the professor Schedule several final review sessions—not one long one Schedule several final review sessions—not one long one The night before– briefly review main points and get some sleep The night before– briefly review main points and get some sleep Do not study immediately before test time Do not study immediately before test time

Ways to improve studying Develop a schedule Develop a schedule Study one subject for one hour at a time Study one subject for one hour at a time Keep all materials for one class in same notebook Keep all materials for one class in same notebook Predict possible ?’s Predict possible ?’s Go over previous tests (if available) Go over previous tests (if available) Make Charts Make Charts

Ways to improve studying-- continued Use visual aids Use visual aids Instead of highlighting, use SQ4R Instead of highlighting, use SQ4R Summarize, Question, Read, Recite, Review, ‘Riting Summarize, Question, Read, Recite, Review, ‘Riting Avoid Cramming Avoid Cramming Make information personally meaningful Make information personally meaningful Quiz yourself frequently and in the way you will be tested Quiz yourself frequently and in the way you will be tested Get help when struggling Get help when struggling

Study Environment Keep regular study hours Keep regular study hours Be comfortable, but not too comfortable Be comfortable, but not too comfortable Use a clean, clear work space Use a clean, clear work space Assemble all required materials Assemble all required materials Limit distractions – QUIET! Limit distractions – QUIET!

Avoiding Cramming I Review (Reading and Comprehending) Daily Reviews Take 10 minutes after each lecture to review the day’s material. Take 10 minutes after each lecture to review the day’s material. Do this within 24 hours. Do this within 24 hours. Use the recall column now. Use the recall column now. Repetition Aids Retention

Avoiding Cramming II Weekly Reviews Allow one hour per class each week to review all material for the week. Allow one hour per class each week to review all material for the week. Integrate all the information to get the “big picture.” Integrate all the information to get the “big picture.” Weekends are a good time. Weekends are a good time.

Studying in Groups Keep groups small; 2-5 people Keep groups small; 2-5 people Ask each other questions Ask each other questions It’s OK to disagree. It’s OK to disagree. Take a break when needed, whether it’s to energize or cool off after a disagreement Take a break when needed, whether it’s to energize or cool off after a disagreement

If you feel bogged down while studying… Get up and move Get up and move Stretch Stretch Drink water Drink water Shower Shower Then go back and review notes Then go back and review notes

Keep yourself in good shape Get plenty of sleep Get plenty of sleep Eat nutritious meals Eat nutritious meals Exercise Exercise Take time out for fun Take time out for fun Play hard, study hard, and don’t worry about one while doing the other Play hard, study hard, and don’t worry about one while doing the other

Tips to Reduce… Don’t put your whole future on the line with a single test. It’s unlikely that one test will “make or break” you Don’t put your whole future on the line with a single test. It’s unlikely that one test will “make or break” you Learn relaxation techniques to control anxiety Learn relaxation techniques to control anxiety Deep breathing Muscle relaxation Visualization Positive Self-talk Test Anxiety

What causes it? What causes it? Pressure Pressure “I’ve invested all this time and money, I don’t want to waste it or have to re-take a class.” “I’ve invested all this time and money, I don’t want to waste it or have to re-take a class.” Past experiences Past experiences “I never do well, no matter how much I study, so why study at all?” “I never do well, no matter how much I study, so why study at all?” Fear of failure Fear of failure If I don’t do well on this test, I won’t graduate or get a job.” If I don’t do well on this test, I won’t graduate or get a job.”

Tips to Reduce Test Anxiety-- continued Don’t fall into the trap of having low expectations - Studying can bring results! Don’t fall into the trap of having low expectations - Studying can bring results! Don’t try to compete with others Don’t try to compete with others Improve concentration by using self- discipline Improve concentration by using self- discipline

Tips to Reduce Test Anxiety-- continued Budget your time during the test Budget your time during the test If you feel anxious, take a mini-break to get some water or fresh air If you feel anxious, take a mini-break to get some water or fresh air Don’t change an answer unless you know your second one is correct! Don’t change an answer unless you know your second one is correct! Don’t panic when you don’t know an answer Don’t panic when you don’t know an answer Eliminate options that are incorrect and make an educated guess

Where to study Set the right atmosphere Set the right atmosphere To Avoid distractions To Avoid distractions To Be comfortable (but not too comfortable) To Be comfortable (but not too comfortable) To Organize your work area To Organize your work area Try to study in the same place every time – this will train your mind for “work mode” Try to study in the same place every time – this will train your mind for “work mode” Try to study under same conditions as when you will take the exam Try to study under same conditions as when you will take the exam

Academic success is within your reach!!!! Increase motivation Increase motivation Find a positive study environment Find a positive study environment Actively listen and take accurate class notes Actively listen and take accurate class notes Read text before class Read text before class Review daily and weekly Review daily and weekly