So You Think
You Can Study?
Tips and Strategies for Effective Studying
Creating a Study Environment
[1] Find a place to study and keep it for study
only..
[2] Tool-up the environment with
all study needs.
[3] Control noise level and the visual
environment to acceptable levels.
[4] Avoid relaxing while working;
create a work atmosphere.
When to Study
It’s best to study:
• during the day and early evening, when you'll
remember better (find your peak period).
• when there are the fewest competing
activities in progress.
• when adequate rest periods are provided.
How to Study & Concentrate
• [1] When distracters are present, concentrate
more intensely on studying.
• [2] Keep a pad of paper handy to get extraneous
thoughts out of your mind and onto paper.
• [3] Set study goals before you begin each period
of study
(# of pages, # of
problems, etc.)
• [4] Design adequate rewards after specified
goals are attained.
• [5] Break-up the content of study by mixing up
subjects and building in variety and interest
while removing boredom.
• [6] Make the most of rest periods-do
something quite different.
How to Study & Concentrate
• [7] Start with short study periods and build to
longer periods only as fast as you maintain
concentration.
[8] Plan the length of your study period by the
amount of material you have decided to cover,
not by the clock. (Often the clock is one of the
most serious distracters)
• [9] If necessary, make a calendar of events to
clear your mind of distractions.
• [10] Realize that you won't lose friends,
respect, or a "good time" just because you're
studying... these will keep.
How to Gain Motivation
• Step 1: Decide what you're trying to do in
college.
• Step 2: Make college your job.
• Step 3: Set short-range goals.
Association is a key to memory:
You remember approximately
• 10% of what you read
• 20% of what you hear
• 30% of what you see
• 50% of what you hear and see together
• 70% of what you say (if you think as you are
saying it)
• 90% of what you do
Since you remember most of what
you DO:
• Make studying more physical—work at a
standing desk, chew gum, pace while
memorizing. Read while on an exercise bike,
mold a piece of clay, squeeze a tennis ball.
• Learn and practice new material by relying on
your sense of touch.
· Copy and paraphrase notes.
· Use your computer as much as possible.
· Trace words with your finger or the eraser
end of a pencil.
Mnemonics
• Are things intended to assist the memory, as a
verse or formula.
Example: What are the eight planets in order
from the sun?
Answer: My very educated mother just served
us nachos.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
M ercury
V enus
E arth
M ars
J upiter
S aturn
U ranus
N eptune
SQ3R
Survey
Review
Question
Write
Read
Survey
• Survey - get the best overall picture of what
you're going to study BEFORE you study it in
any detail. It's like looking at a road map
before going on a trip. If you don't know the
territory, studying a map is the best way to
begin..
Questions For Learning
• Ask yourself the 5
W’s while reading
Active Reading
• Read - Reading is NOT running your eyes over a textbook.
• Read to answer questions you
have asked yourself or questions the
instructor or author has asked.
• Be sure to read everything,
paying special attention to bold
and italicized print, tables, graphs
and illustrations. Oftentimes tables,
graphs and illustrations can convey an
idea more powerfully than written text.
Recite
Try to recall Main Headings, important
ideas or concepts presented in Bold or
Italicized type, and what graphs, charts
and illustrations tell you.
Review
Review
Is a survey of what you have covered.
Rereading is an important part of the review
process.
Review
• Reread with the idea that you are measuring what
you have gained from the process.
• Go over notes to help clarify points you may have
missed or don't understand. The best time to
review is when you have just finished studying
something.
• Do a final review before the exam. This is a "finetuning" of your knowledge of the material.
Lecture
• Attend every lecture.
• Prepare for lectures.
• Find a “Noted Friend”.
Time Management
Start early
Set deadlines
Find One Hour
per day for each course
Test Preparation
• Condense the material.
• Reading should be supplementary.
• Apply the material.
Quick Tips and Suggestions
• Study actively: Ask yourself
questions, review your notes
regularly, discuss key concepts
with peers and your course
Professor.
• Study in chunks: 20-50 minute
time periods followed by a brief
break (5-10 minutes) is the most
effective way to study.
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Study? Tips and Strategies for Effective
Studying
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ll2012
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