Uploaded by Nicole Johnston

Memory Improvement & Study Skills Guide

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TIPS TO IMPROVE MEMORY
Effective learning can only be achieved if
you're able to focus your complete attention
ACRONYMS Acronyms are making a word
from the first letter of each word that is to be
memorized. For exam ple , HOMES for the Great
on what you are trying to learn .
Lakes (Huron, Ont ario , Michigan, Erie,
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Superior.)
READ, READ, READ
Rea din g your tex tb oo k, acad emic art ic les and
journal s w ill br oa den you r underst anding. M ake
ACROSTICS Acrostics are phrases or poems
short er notes for yo urse lf a nd then stud y you r ow n
notes.
in which the first letter of each word or line
LISTEN TO AUDIO
functions as a cue to help you recall the words
Liste n to aud io on th e top ic and w ri te d ow n so m e
that you are trying to remember. For examp le,
key notes o n what they're saying that can help you')
be tt er und ers t a nd the sub jec t you're lea rning.
"Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sall y" is used to
WRITE THE THINGS DOWN
remember the order of operations in Math.
Make your ow n notes fr o m w hat you have rea d in
the textb oo k. W rit e q uesti o ns and answe r th em
later. Th e se ca n be que sti o ns fro m your tex tb oo k or
MAPS OR CHARTS Use mind maps or charts
eve n questi ons that you think are lik ely to co m e up
o n the exam . This is a g oo d way to t es t yo ur
to organize your information. This visually
un de rstanding of what you learned and help you
remember it.
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TALK OUT LOUD
helps you to remember.
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You ca n read the topic out loud, or tr y to teach the
to p ci to so m eo ne e lse
IMAGERY Draw or imagine a picture of what's
being studied, or find one in a book. Mentally
MIND MAPPING
refer to the picture when you are testing.
M ind maps are a g reat w ay to brea k do wn
inform atio n into a simp le d ia gr am th at ca n be
remem be red more eas ily. They're al so a goo d way
to
tes t w hether yo u know the subj ec t m att er. You ca n
REHEARSE Verbally repeat or rehearse the
redraw the diagram and deliberately leave blanks to
information over and over again until you
see if you ca n fill them in again or whether you ca n
discuss the topic in more detail by only loo king at
know it! Take a shower break and then test
the key headings on th e min d map.
yourself again.
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TEST YOURSELF
U se p ast ex am papers. T his is gr ea t for not only
t es ti ng your know ledg e b ut also familia rizing
HIGHLIGHT Use highlighters to review your
yourse lf wit h th e exa m form at and str uctur e, w hich
will help you se t tl e int o th e exam mu ch quic ker and
notes . If they are color coded , underlined or
easier on th e day. Use q uesti o ns fro m the text boo k.
highlighted it may help you to remember
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: :;!;;;."o" ,s ,m rtaSoS•o ,,o,o,
b ack over inf orm ation that you learn, using different
formats of learning.
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based on visual stimulation.
BEFORE EXAMS
DURING THE EXAM
• DETERMINE WHAT YOUR IDEAL STUDY
CONDITIONS ARE Everyone studies
Find out exactly what is required
for the exam
effective one for you where you can focus on
• Time, date, location and length of exam
the material, free from distractions. Remember,
• Ask your teacher what the exam will cover &
in the exam you will be at a desk in a quiet
what kind of questions may be asked (Ex. Is
room. Keep this in mind so that you are
there a study guide?)
comfortable in this type of environment
• Find out what you will need to bring to the
• TAKE BREAKS Take breaks when studying.
exam e.g. calculator, ruler, etc ...
Study small portions of material, take a break
• Ask your teacher about the format of the
and then study some more
exam e.g. multiple choice, diagrams, essay, etc ...
• REWARD YOURSELF If you have stuck to
The following suggestions will help
you improve your study skills:
Multiple Choice Questions
differently. Make sure your study space is an
your study plan; reward yourself by watching
Read the questions carefully and determine
the answer before you look at the choices.
,
If you are unsure, use the process of
elimination to narrow down the
choices then make a logical guess.
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Never leave a question blank; you have a
20-25% chance of getting it right by guessing.
Try not to change your original answer - in
most cases your intuition is correct.
TV or a movie, playing X-Box or surfing the
Internet. You are more likely to study again
• SETUP A SCHEDULE Use a
calendar to plan your study time,
recreation and social activities. For
and concentrate if you know there is a reward
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at the end of completing a task
classes that are harder, make sure you give
ON EXAM DAY
yourself more time to study. DO NOT CRAM!
• FIND A GOOD LOCATION
Make sure the
place is comfortable, but not too comfortable.
Sitting at a desk or table is best. Avoid lying
across the bed.
• USE THE SAME PLACE FOR STUDYING This
will help you with your memory when it is time
for a test. It will also help you to concentrate
better, because you will be in a routine or habit
of studying in the same place.
• Be well rested and eat a healthy meal before
the exam
• Be confident; a positive attitude is an asset
• Use the bathroom just before the exam
Short Answer Questions
Read the question carefully! Ask yourself, what
are they specifically asking?
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Give a specific, clear, to
the point explanation.
Use examples from your text book, class or the
real world.
Essay Questions
Determine main themes and topics.
• Arrive at the exam room at least 10 minutes
Read the question carefully! Underline key
words in the question. Determine the
purpose.
before the exam
• Put backpacks/jackets away
• Don't talk to other students
before the exam, they
may confuse you
• Bring the necessary
materials -- you will not
be allowed to share
equipment
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Before you begin writing, jot down all your
ideas and organize them into an essay plan.
Don't write your essay off the top of your
head!
Structure your essay: introduction, the body
and the conclusion.
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