1. How to Improve Study Skills
Creating independent learners!

2. Skills to create independent learners
Organization
Listening
Note taking
Studying
Test taking

3. Oraganization Have a consistent work space Clean out your binders
Quiet and free from distractions
All materials and supplies closely available
Lighting, furniture, location
Organization tools, files, containers, etc.
Clean out your binders
Place old papers in home folder
Set side time for weekly checks
Color code your books to your folders

4. Make a Weekly Schedule

5. Study Skills Achievement Chart
Study Skills: Accomplishments Name: ____________________
Date
Today’s goal
What did I accomplish?
Calendar
Organized
Mon.
Organize binder
Rewrite Eng. notes
Finished
Tues.
Finish and understand pg. 56 of Geometry homework
Need to do 2 more problems
Wed.
Read chapter 4 for Government
Answer Q’s pg. 108
Thurs.
Rewrite science notes
Finish worksheet
Fri.
Rewrite health notes
Almost complete

6. Homework Chart
Homework Chart Name: _____________________________________
Date
Homework Assignment
Parent’s Comments
Parent Initial
Mon.
Eng: Write essay on interest
Math: pg. 45, #1-6 odd
History: Ch. 3, Q’s pg. 76
Science: Finish lab worksheet
Lupe needs help on her math LM
Tues.
Math: pg. 56 # 1-17 odd
History: Q’s pg. 86
Wed.
Eng: Write notes on ch. 2
History: Choose research topic
Science: Q’s pg. 65
Please call me re: History class
Thurs.
Eng: Read ch. 4
Math: Worksheet
History: Map worksheet
Fri.
History: Complete research paper footnotes and outline

7. Listening Choose a good seat, front of the class if possible
Maintain eye contact
Focus on content
Do not get distracted
Listen for clues (signals)
What is the big picture?

8. Note taking Use the method that works best for you Outlining Mapping
Cornell
Abbreviate and use symbols
Use “?” for areas needing clarification
Rewrite notes after class
Go over notes with a friend

9. Outlining Method Extrasensory perception
__ definition: means of perceiving without use of sense organs.
__ three kinds -
__ telepathy: sending messages __ clairvoyance: forecasting the future __ psychogenesis: perceiving events external to situation
__ current status -
__ no current research to support or refute __ few psychologists say impossible __ door open to future

10. Mapping Method

11. Charting Method
Chart format for History Class

12. Sentence Method Examples - Example 1:
“A revolution is any occurrence that affects other aspects of life, such as economic life, social life, and so forth. Therefore revolutions cause change. (See page 29 to 30 in your text about this.)”
Sample Notes:
Revolution - occurrence that affects other aspects of life: e.g., econ., socl., etc. C.f. text, pp
Example 2:
“Melville did not try to represent life as it really was. The language of Ahab, Starbuck, and Ishmael, for instance, was not that of real life.”
Mel didn't repr. life as was; e.g., lang. of Ahab, etc. not of real life.

13. Cornell Method Reduce or Question (After Lecture)
write key words, phrases or questions that serve as cues for notes taken in class
cue phrases and questions should be in your own words
3. Recite
with classroom notes covered, read each key word or question
recite the fact or idea brought to mind by key word or question
1). Record (During Lecture)
write down facts and ideas in phrases
use abbreviations when possible (After Lecture)
read through your notes
fill in blanks and make scribbles more legible
4 &  5.  Reflect and Review
review your notes periodically by reciting
think about what you have learned
Recapitulation (After Lecture)
summarize each main idea
use complete sentences    

14. Studying Study regularly…not JUST the day before the test
Make flashcards
Create game:
Jeopardy
Millionaire
Smarter than a 10th grader
Use notes and highlight
Don’t just reread, think of possible test questions
Apply concepts, don’t just memorize it

15. Reading Comprehension and SQ3R
Before you read, SURVEY, the chapter, QUESTION while you are surveying
3R:
READ
RECITE
REVIEW

16. Test taking Be prepared for the test, have needed materials
Survey the test content and questions
Do the easiest questions first
Skip hard ones and go back
Ask for clarification if you need it
Relax and do not rush
Always read the entire question and ALL the possible answers before answering
Take your time and look over test when you are done

17. Essay exams Directions, pay attention to words such:
List
Describe
Compare/contrast
Outline
If the question asks you to “list” do not write a narrative
Good handwriting is important, if your handwriting is illegible, print
Grammar, punctuation and spelling also count!

18. “Memory Dump” Method Write down everything you have memorized
Facts
Names
Dates
Ideas
Events, so on
Then plan and write essay

19. Reminders Create life long learners Independent Responsible
Accountable