1. Effective (and painless!) study skills
Jessica Pitts
Writing Studio Coordinator

2. Active studying means... Understanding the material
Processing the material

3. What does active learning look like?
Have a framework
Think about the purpose of the study task
What’s the best strategy to approach the task
Reflect and review

4. Active learning Hands-on learning Work with a study group!
We learn best when we teach each other
Walk your peers through the concepts and topics assigned

5. Listen closely! Be alert for hints and clues
Instructors want you to succeed!
They often tell you what will be on the exam or assignments
Ask fellow students
Share your readings with each other
Preview the material before you read in depth

6. Notes
Your summary notes
Review
your
notes
Exams Or
Essays
Source

7. Get thinking Ask questions What is the point of view of the author?
Evaluate all evidence
Form your own opinions

8. Ask yourself… Who Who does this issue impact? Who benefits?
Who suffers?

9. What What’s at stake? What is the state of the situation?
What is being done?

10. Where Where is this most relevant/predominant?
Where is the action? What is the background situation?

11. When
When has this been noted?
Has the issue changed over time?

12. Why Why is this so important? Why is this issue an issue?
Why do the people involved do what they do?

13. How How did this issue come about? How do people react?
How do people act towards each other?

14. FYI: There is a high correlation between attendance and good grades
Keep a planner
Digital (like Todoist, any.do, or Asana)
Paper weekly/daily planner
Submit assignments on time
Go to office hours!
Teachers will happily answer questions and explain concepts
Read chapters in advance
Use class time to ask questions about the material