EXTREME Academic Makeover
Success T.A.C.T.I.C.S.
You Can Implement Right Now
Presented by Counseling, Career, & Disability Services
What This Presentation Covers
This presentation will cover best study practices and how to tailor your personal study system to your own personal learning styles and preferences using the T.A.C.T.I.C.S. Method. Easily implemented TAC-“Tips” or quick steps have also been included. DID
YOU
KNOW?
YOU HAVE A
BETTER
CHANCE OF
BEING
STRUCK BY
LIGHTNING,
THAN YOU DO
ACING A TEST
YOU NEVER
STUDIED FOR.
Studying Should Never Be
The Dark Looming Cloud Over
Your Head
Avoid the Cloud with
PREPARATION
Keyword: PLAN
Plan: A designed method or arrangement with a purpose.
Factors to Consider When
Planning To Study
Study environment
Your motivation
Your learning preferences
The subject matter you’re studying
The classroom and the instructor
ONLY YOU KNOW
•
•
•
•
•
Your preferences
Your distractions
Your strengths
Your weaknesses
Your motivations
It’s important to consider all of this to
effectively develop a study plan.
What is Motivating You?
Family?
Money??
A Dream?
A Calling?
Remember Your Motivation and
remind yourself often.
Use Your Motivations to Activate Success
Short Term Motivator‐ or Reward Big Picture Motivation‐ “How will this change my life?”
• If I spend 2 hours studying and practicing algebra, I can go with friends to my favorite restaurant. • If I do the best I can and graduate, I’ll get a better job, make a better life for myself, and bring security to my family. • If I ace this test, I can purchase a new CD or spend time ____. When you’ve identified your motivation(s) for attending school and for making the grade…
IT’S TIME TO IMPLEMENT THE T.A.C.T.I.C.S. METHOD
T.A.C.T.I.C.S.
T
A
C
T
I
C
S
Track & manage your time
Active listening and reading are key
Concentrate
Test and quiz yourself
Incorporate your learning preferences
Create a study space and system
Simply study!
T.A.C.T.I.C.S
• T= TRACK OR MANAGE YOUR TIME
Keep track of your daily and weekly schedule for a week or simply write down everything you do. Odds are you’ll find you have more time to do things, or you’ll find that some of your daily routines are taking up more time than actually necessary. T.A.C.T.I.C.S. T= Track & Manage Your Time!
• Successful students DELIBERATELY and CONSISTENTLY build studying into to their daily routines.
• Students should build 2 hrs of studying into their schedule for every 1 hr spent in class.
It’s all about balance.
T.A.C.T.I.C.S.
• A‐
Active Listening & Reading Are Key
An active listener listens with purpose. It’s about more than focusing. Transform your professors words into questions or statements about the topic at hand. Ask questions and join the discussion, even if you are unsure of the material. Active Listening
• Sit in a posture of purpose. Don’t slouch. • Take notes, highlight, underline or draw picture clues that will help you remember later. • Search for the nuggets from the speaker. • Ask questions • Participate in the lecture or discussion
Students can also transform their reading assignments into questions or statements that might wind up on a course test. Use headings and sub‐
headings to kick‐start the reading‐
question process.
Read with the intent to learn something, not just to get it over with!
T.A.C.T.I.C.S.
A=Active Reading & Listening
T.A.C.T.I.C.S.
A‐ Active Reading & Listening (Continued)
In most cases, headings and subheadings are main ideas which may be covered on tests, but be sure to capture the important nuggets within each section too. One way to do this is by underlining or highlighting phrases or words. No more than 20% of any page should be highlighted or underlined. Anything more makes the info irrelevant. T.A.C.T.I.C.S.
• C‐ Concentrate
The dictionary defines “concentrating” as drawing all of one’s efforts to a common point or center or making a conscious effort to think about a particular topic. Staying focused!
Concentrating in academics also means making an effort to “get the point” while also considering how you will apply the point to overall subject matter. AVOID YOUR KNOWN DISTRACTIONS!
T.A.C.T.I.C.S.
C- Concentrate
Concentrate so that you may memorize and
retain the information. Relate it to the topic of the
day as well as to the overall subject matter.
T.A.C.T.I.C.S
• T‐ TEST YOURSELF
Testing or quizzing yourself is one of the best methods of assessing your knowledge. At the end of each section or lesson, take the information you’ve gathered through active reading and listening (your notes) and give yourself a test. T.A.C.T.I.C.S
• T‐ (Testing Continued) In addition, if multiple tests or quizzes are given over the course of the semester study them and compile them to prepare for final exams. You may also use the questions you’ve created from each prior section. T.A.C.T.I.C.S.
• I‐ Incorporate your personal learning preferences into your study methods. What are learning preferences and how do I Incorporate learning preferences into my study methods?
Do you prefer Auditory, Visual or Tactile/Kinesthetic learning?
Learning Preferences: Visual • May need to use charts, pictures, or diagrams when studying. • May be helpful to put your notes on index or flash cards
• Might benefit from drawing • You may also appreciate picture clues next to seeing your notes in a concepts that are difficult to presentation format such as understand
PowerPoint. • May need to create acronyms to memorize • May also benefit from discussion groups
Learning Preferences: Auditory
• An auditory person might try recording notes and replaying them on an MP3 player or other recording device. • May also need to recite notes aloud when studying. • Enjoys listening to lectures
• Talks through problems to get a solution
• May appreciate hearing others’ verbalize topics in discussion groups. Learning Preferences: Tactile/Kinesthetic • These students appreciate hands‐on learning opportunities. • Benefit from re‐writing or typing notes, as well as underlining or highlighting. • Learn by doing, touching, building, drawing, experiencing
• Incorporates physical/bodily motion or movement with learning (ex. Clapping, chanting or singing concepts etc.)
• Teaching others a concept or idea helps you learn
• Organizing materials in various ways helps!
T.A.C.T.I.C.S
• C = Create your own study space and system. Your study “space” is where you choose to achieve effective study. Your system is based on your learning preferences and includes an effective note taking method. Creating a Study Space and System
Your “Space” is the environment in which you choose to achieve effective studying. Environment: The conditions and stimuli around you. Do you need a quiet environment? Certain light? Specific seating? Do you need a snack handy in case you get hungry? Will the need for rest keep you from studying? Designate a spot and ask yourself; “is this the best place or are these the best conditions to meet my study needs? Can I be successful in this space?
Minimize Distractions from Your Space
Internal: Physical or Mental
Have a snack handy.
Get plenty of rest.
Minimize stressors.
It’s difficult to study when you don’t feel well, be sure you’re taking care of you!
• Train yourself mentally to specific study times
• Be comfortable, but in a study posture. •
•
•
•
External: Environmental
• Make sure the room temperature works for you. • Eliminate unwanted noise or interruptions. • Don’t study with a group if they are a distraction for you. • Make a special effort to have all supplies with you (textbook, paper etc.) • Turn the CELL PHONE OFF!
For example, do you prefer this?...
Sitting in a hardwood chair at a table in a library setting. The temperature is 72 degrees. You study independently and the atmosphere is mostly quiet.
A Formal Study Atmosphere
Or this…A Home Atmosphere?
Sitting at home with your books scattered around you. It’s 68 degrees, and the radio is playing softly in the background. You may be alone or with friends.
A Solid Note Taking Method is Key to Your Study System. Find a note taking method that works for
you. The notes you take in class are vital to
your study sessions. One effective method
of taking notes is the Cornell method:
On your paper, draw a line two inches from
your left margin and another line about two
inches from the bottom of the page.
SAMPLE CORNELL NOTES
Note how the page is divided into three main parts. Object used is from WRHS/APUSH
Note taking
Cornell Method (Continued)
The 2 inch space to the left is for specific details such as definitions, dates, or terms. You might also list your questions there. The 6 inch space to the right is for your typical lecture notes. At the end of the lecture, use the 2 inch space at the bottom to summarize (in your own words), what the instructor taught. Let’s look again. SAMPLE CORNELL NOTES
This method is effective in most any subject or discipline. Object used is from WRHS/APUSH
Some Note Taking TAC-”Tips”!
• Try using colorful pens • Never highlight more than 20% of a page in to take notes and when your notes or on a you can, swap pens textbook page. after each major topic. • Be prepared. Have your • When possible, textbooks, notes, and (especially in math) materials with you in write down everything class and during your on the board, so you study times. have a snapshot of the instructors board notes. More Note Taking TAC-”Tips”!
• Review your notes as soon as possible after a class and edit for any mistakes or illegible writing. • Be sure to write your name and date your notes with the topic of the day on each page. • Be careful not to keep all notes for all classes in one notebook. • Keep a different notebook for each subject with contact information. • Write down questions you or others ask in class, and the responses you receive. T.A.C.T.I.C.S.
• S‐ SIMPLY STUDY! A good plan is important and necessary, but it must be implemented to be successful. T.A.C.T.I.C.S. REVIEW
T
A
C
T
I
C
S
Track & manage your time
Active listening and reading are key
Concentrate
Test and quiz yourself
Incorporate your learning preferences
Create a study space and system
Simply study!
NOW FOR SOME MORE
TAC‐ “TIPS” YOU CAN IMPLEMENT RIGHT NOW!
TAC-”Tips”
• Reading‐study is best in • It also helps to change the subject you’re small increments. Take studying at regular a break every 15‐20 intervals. minutes or so from reading. • Example, put down the • Example, study history textbook and begin for awhile and put it practicing some away, then work on problems. your presentation for speech class.
TAC- “Tips”
• Always review the previous material before beginning a study session of new material. • Ex. Tues and Thurs • Be sure to swap study a couple of numbers and emails subjects, Mon and Wed with a responsible
study different subjects.
classmate in case you miss notes. • Be careful not to study too many subjects in one study sitting. TAC- “Tips”
• Write down the instructions or directions for the homework exactly as the instructor assigns them. • Have a method for noting your opinion versus the instructor’s
opinions or theories.
• Don’t procrastinate. Make time to do your homework as soon as possible after the class meeting. Treat Subjects Differently • In math keep a box of • Just as one study index cards you create method doesn’t fit each with vital formulas, person, each subject problems, etc. may require a different approach.
• For example, in history, • In Literature, begin throughout the making real life semester create a connections. Compare timeline with important plots and themes to dates, names, and current events. events. TAC- “Tips”
• After you’ve studied the • Think of studying as a job with tasks that must information recite what be completed and with you’ve learned to deadlines and hold someone else. Ideally, yourself accountable. someone from class, but it can be anyone. The Best Way to do that is by following the T.A.C.T.I.C.S. you have learned. T
A
C
T
I
C
S
Track & manage your time
Active listening and reading are key
Concentrate
Test and quiz yourself
Incorporate your learning preferences
Create a study space and system
Simply study!
Following the T.A.C.T.I.C.S. Method and the additional TAC-”Tips” will help you tear down poor or inefficient study habits that are demolishing your grades and your self‐
esteem, and will put you on the path to: EXTREME Academic Makeover!
Remember, it’s not enough just to watch this presentation, you must take action to ensure success!
Thanks for coming!
Extreme Academic Makeover Workshop
Presented by Roane State Community College
Counseling, Career, and Disability Services
Cornell Note-Taking Method, Robert Paulk, Cornell University
T.A.C.T.I.C.S. and TAC-”Tips”
components by Chester Goad, MA
Roane State Community College
EXTREME ACADEMIC MAKEOVER
Success TACTICS You Can Implement Right Now
Factors to consider when planning to study: ‐Your study environment as well as internal and external distractions ‐Your motivation: Why is college important to you? How will you reward yourself if you make the grade? ‐Your learning preferences ‐The subject matter to be studied Use your personal short‐term motivations or a reward system and your “Big Picture Motivation” to initiate success. T.A.C.T.I.C.S. METHOD T=Track and Manage your Time Successful students deliberately and consistently build studying into their schedules. A=Active listening and reading are key. Students who transform listening and reading into an active or engaging process learn more. C=Concentrate Focus and make every effort to get the point, memorize the point, and relate it to the topic of the day and the overall subject of the class. T=Test yourself You do not have to wait for the instructor to test you to see how well you know the material. Create quizzes and tests from readings, notes, and lectures, and give yourself regular quizzes or practice tests. I=Incorporate your personal learning preferences Are you an auditory, visual, or tactile learner? Whichever you are, build your study habits around that preference. C=Create a study space and system Personalize the environment in which you study and keep all your materials there. In addition, follow consistent methods or systems that work for you. S=Simply study! Follow the T.A.C.T.I.C.S. Method and TAC-“Tips” Tear down poor or inefficient study habits that are demolishing your grades and your self‐esteem. Make it personal & begin your Extreme Academic Makeover today! A plan doesn’t work until you activate it! Cornell Method Notes Questions about Extreme Academic Makeover the Presentation Your Name Date Notes here: Definitions or Terms Important Dates Summarize in your own words the notes about the lecture you have written above this line.