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Look for italicized print, headings, outlines, formulas, images, and graphs. Read the summary and other end-of-the-chapter material.
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As you skim the chapter ask questions that you would like answered in class.
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Preview what's going to go on in class. Check the syllabus or web site. Find the topic in your text book.
Write them down!
Study – Repetition is the key. Ask questions such as ‘why’, ‘how’, and ‘what if’. Get the basics down early – flash cards and repetition for memorization.
Solve more problems and answer practice questions – you write them if they aren’t provided.
Teach the material – to a friend, parent, pet, or stuffed animal.
Step 1
Preview
Step 4 Study
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Sit up. Eyes on the speaker. Minimize distractions . Stay on task.
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Ask questions and take thorough and meaningful notes. Because you have previewed the material, you will feel more confident and connected to the lecture or activity.
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Put due dates on top of papers, and test dates and due dates in your planner. (of course you keep a planner!)
Step 2 Be Attentive
Step 3
Do the work & review
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Get the work done before you turn on the TV, go out with friends, or log onto Facebook.
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Prioritize by doing the most urgent work or the hardest work first.
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Make notes of questions you need to ask.
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Review your notes from class. Fill in gaps, and write in questions to ask the next class for clarification.
Studying doesn’t happen just the night before tests. Follow the study cycle on a daily basis and your retention will increase and require less study time to be more productive. Intense Study Sessions are what you do to prepare for tests or when a large amount of material has “accumulated” between tests.
Intense Study Sessions 1- Set a Goal (1‐2min)
Decide what you want to accomplish in your study session
2- Study with Focus (30‐50min)
Interact with material‐ organize, concept map, summarize, process, re‐read, fill‐in notes, reflect, etc.
3- Reward Yourself (10‐15min)
Take a break– call a friend, play a short game, get a snack
4- Review (5min)
Go over what you just studied
Assess - find ways to test yourself. Is there a practice quiz? Find someone to “grill” you on the topics. After your formal assessment (the Test you were preparing for) take note of what aspects of studying paid off and which ones didn’t. • Am I using study methods that are effective? • Do I understand the material enough to teach it to others?
