STUDY SKILLS FOR
SUCCESS
Ms. Dawn Robertson
Guidance Counselor
HSMSE SCHEDULE
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Alternating A/B Day Schedule
Math and Enrichment EVERY DAY
Bell Schedule
8:00 - 9:25
9:30 - 10:55
11:00 - 11:45
11:50 - 12:35
12:40- 2:05
2:10 – 3:35
9th
10th
11th
12th
Math
Algebra/Geometr
y
Trigonometry
Calculus I & II
Calculus III
Elective
Science
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
Elective
Engineering
Intro to
Engineering
Design
Civil
Engineering&
Architecture
Digital
Electronics
POE
Or
Mt. Sinai
Thesis Project
(PLTW)
Or
Mt. Sinai
History
World
Civilizations I
World
Civilizations II
American
History
Economics
Government
English
English I & II
English III&
IV
English V & VI
English VII &
VIII
Physical
Education
PE I & II
PE III & IV
Health &
Music
PE IV & V
PE VI & VII
LOTE
German I & II or
Spanish III & IV
German III &
IV or Spanish
V & VI
German V &
VI or CCNY
Spanish
Optional
Elective
The Permanent Transcript
Grades will remain on transcript for
academic career
 Obtain records from middle school of any
regents exams taken and high school
credits earned- check records for accuracy
 Talk to middle school guidance counselor
about transcript
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ACADEMIC CHALLENGES:
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Time Management
8-4 school day
 A/B day
 Homework
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Ego Management
Academic rigor
 Natural talent
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WHAT WORKS FOR YOU???
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Develop a system to help keep you
organized.
BINDERS
A Day Binder
 B Day Binder
 Enrichment folder/notebook
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NOTEBOOKS
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Folders
BUY A STUDENT PLANNER
ASAP!
HOMEWORK
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Keep all assignments in one place.
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Don’t depend on the web, but use the school
website to double check assignments.
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Try to do all homework the night you get it.
TIME MANAGEMENT
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Consider creating a HW schedule, in which you structure your
time to help keep you focused.
Spend no more than 45 minutes on a HW assignment .
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If you are struggling with the assignment, write what you can, displaying
your process.
Write questions and be specific about what you do not understand.
Breaks: No more than 15 minutes!!!!
No multi-tasking!!! websites, computer games, phone calls, IM,
Internet surfing, T.V., e-mail friends, etc. Focus on the
assignment ONLY- and then have fun when you are finished!
Listen to music, only if it helps you to focus, not if it’s
distraction.
Study at least 2 days before an exam.
HSMSE Support Services
Progress Reports
 Peer tutors
Lunch and after-school tutoring
 Advisory Groups
 Counseling
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Successful
Note Taking
Created by Linda Leech
Academic Advisor Student Support Services
Minnesota State
University, Mankato
3/3
Why take notes…
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Notes provide an outline of the main
points and facts
Improves your retention of the material
Helps you master the subject
Provides you with a study guide to help
you prepare for tests
Why you should improve
your note-taking skills
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You’ll be more alert in boring classes
You’ll learn more in each class
Time in class will be more meaningful
You’re creating outlines to study from
You’re developing a life skill
Memory tends to
fade soon after class
Ways to improve your memory:
Review
your notes immediately if possible
Review all notes within 24 hours or better
yet, before
going to sleep that night
Read your notes out loud
Review your notes regularly, not just right before a test
Review your notes with a study buddy
Long term memory is what counts when you are taking a test
and in your future career
Reviewing your notes
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Actors memorize lines for a
play by reciting their lines out
loud repetitively
Know when to efficiently use
your short term memory vs.
long term
By reviewing your notes you
will hopefully see the
structure being built
Name
Cornell System of Note taking
Give yourself
plenty of room
here
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Possible test
question
Review map
on pg 12 in
textbook
Jot down
questions you
may have
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Class
Date
Draw a vertical line top to bottom, 1 ½ inches
from the left edge of the paper
Write your notes to the right of the line
Reserve the area to the left of the line for key
word clues & sample questions
Fill in the left-hand column when you review
your notes
Highlight the main ideas
Show the relationship among the main idea
Organize minor points, related details, facts,
and examples
Listening
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Be alert in class and participate
Listen for material not in the text
Don’t call it quits early! The final 10 min may
cover as much as first 40
If you disagree, don’t tune out!
Learn your instructors signals
Instructors often emphasize main points
Listen with 2 purposes in mind
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To learn the material presented
Identify test questions
Listening continued…
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If you take notes constantly, you may record all the
important points but be too busy to think about them
The human brain can process incoming spoken info
about 400 words per min and people speak less than
100 wpm
Before you write evaluate importance
Don’t be afraid to ask your instructor to slow down or
repeat
Capture the main point and condense
When instructors talk fast or you
can’t understand them…
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Take more time to prepare for class
Be willing to make choices
Exchange copies of notes w/classmates
Leave empty space to fill in
See instructor after class and show what you missed
Use a tape recorder (w/permission)
Take notes on your text leaving lots of room for lecture notes to be
added in during class
Go to the lecture again
Learn shorthand and abbreviations
Ask questions
Ask the instructor to slow down
Take shortcuts
whenever
possible…
Drop out
nonessential
words, like
“a”, “the”,
etc.
Tidbits
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Noting your own ideas is a
good way to maintain your
concentration
Highlight your notes or use
symbols, underline, different
colors, etc
Underline, or put a star in the
margin for material you’ll be
tested on
Write down assignments in
your planner right away
Use post it notes to write
down any questions for the
teacher or your tutor.