Tips & Strategies for Success in Psychology 100
Warning: You may be at high-risk for doing poorly in this class if you
only read the textbook, memorize definitions, and review your notes!
So…what can you do to increase your odds of performing well in this class?
1. Kick the Habit…Procrastination Will Not Help You Succeed!
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Are you a procrastinator? Find out by going here:
http://dennislearningcenter.osu.edu/tmtnm/tmtnm.htm
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Beat procrastination by developing a plan. Visit this link:
http://dennislearningcenter.osu.edu/dontdelay/
2. Create a Study Plan! Know Your A-B-C’s!
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Aim to devote enough time to studying for this class (12-15 hours per week min).
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Brainstorm topics you are having difficulty with – rank topics from #1 on down.
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Create a plan for when you will review these topics – study the most difficult (#1) first.
3. Think like an Engineer and Build Effective Study Strategies!
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Plan time to review the lecture notes thoroughly at the end of each class.
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Consistent surveying/reviewing (not cramming) is important to your success in this class.
4. Instructors are required to set aside time for You!
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Always ask the instructor for help if you do not understand a certain concept or example.
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Your instructor has set aside time specifically for you – be sure to utilize office hours!
5. One is the Loneliest Number…so, form a Study Group!
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Get together with 4 or 5 students from your Psychology 100 class to study.
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Devote consistent review time (at least 2 hours per week) with your study group.
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Create original practice exam questions (5 per student, per week) to quiz each other on.
6. The Textbook is Interesting!
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Study the examples in the textbook carefully – see if you can link these to concepts.
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Ask yourself how you can apply these examples to your real-life experiences.
7. Here’s Your Chance to Show Them What You’ve Got!
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During the exam:
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Preview the questions and answer choices for 5-10 minutes.
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Mentally label different sections of the exam during the preview:
Assign “1” to easier, “2” to moderate, and “3” to difficult questions.
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Tackle “1” questions first; then, complete “2” and “3” questions.
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Skip questions, if necessary, before deciding on a final answer.
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Resist the temptation to change your answers!
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One possible division of test-taking time is as follows:
Preview the exam:
Easier questions
Moderate questions
Difficult questions
(#1):
(#2):
(#3):
(10% of total time)
(20% of total time)
(30% of total time)
(40% of total time)
8. Membership does have its Privileges…in OSU’s Many Resources!
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The Walter E. Dennis Learning Center is one of these many useful services.
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Contact information for the Walter E. Dennis Learning Center:
250 Younkin Success Center (2nd level), 1640 Neil Avenue, 614-688-3967
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Individual consultations with a Learning Specialist are available:
http://dennislearningcenter.osu.edu/splash/Individualised%20Services/one-on-one.htm
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Please take these online assessments prior to your visit with a Learning Specialist:
http://dennislearningcenter.osu.edu/quizzes.asp
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Study tips: check out the great websites below!
http://dennislearningcenter.osu.edu/splash/Individualised%20Services/Study%20Tips.htm
http://dennislearningcenter.osu.edu/dontdelay/Tips.html
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Academic skills class, EPL 259: for more information, please visit the following:
http://dennislearningcenter.osu.edu/all-tour/epl259.asp