Basic Study Skills Student Support Services Tri-County Technical College

Introduction Study skills make learning easier and more productive. Studying is more than just opening a book and reading; more than studying only at test time. Studying is absorbing material to utilize at a later time, be it testing or later classes or life.

Advice Overview  Active Listening  Taking Good Notes  Getting Involved in Class Discussions  Making the Most of Your Reading

Active Listening  Move closer to the front of the class, where the action is. You wouldn’t sit at the back of a concert, would you?  Focus on the instructor and what he or she is saying – not on life outside of class.  Evaluate what you hear – relate it to your knowledge of the material already learned.  Take THOROUGH notes.

Taking Good Notes  Know WHAT to write down. Record the instructor’s main points in your own words.  Listen for key words that will let you know what’s important.  Copy EVERYTHING from the board. If the instructor has written it down, you can bet it’s important.  Use as few words as possible; use abbreviations or symbols.

Taking Good Notes  Highlight points that seem the most important (don’t color the entire page!).  Review notes at least once a week to keep the material fresh.  Attend EVERY SINGLE class. Every one. You cannot take notes if you are not in class.

Getting Involved in Class Discussions  BE PREPARED. Complete the assigned reading before class.  Ask questions. An unasked question only leaves you ignorant.  Summarize in your own words what has been said.  Participate – do not dominate.  Respect other people’s opinion. Listen to what they have to say.  Be polite. Allow others to speak without interruption.

Make the Most of Your Reading  Eliminate habits that can slow you down.  Adjust your speed to your purpose – skimming for answering questions, slowing down for comprehension.  Expand your vocabulary; have a dictionary or thesaurus nearby to look up words you do not know.

Final Thoughts These are just some starting techniques when it comes to studying. TAKE the initiative – become an active learner!