Study Skills and Strategies
About Me
Name:
College:
SAT Score:
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•
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Mauricio Najarro
Williams College
2400
Has a rich and diverse teaching background,
starting as a writing tutor and workshop leader
while finishing up his undergraduate degree
Has worked as a high school instructor in El
Salvador, Washington, D.C., and Oakland, CA.
Taught SAT strategies for over a year and a
half with another test preparation company
before coming to Revolution.
His encyclopedic knowledge of the material
complements his teaching style-patience and
flexibility with each individual student and a
thorough approach for each test strategy.
What we’ll cover tonight
1. What are study tools
and strategies?
2. Why are study tools
and strategies so
important?
3. Important tools and
how to use them
4. Study Tips
Study Skills Inventory
Students:
• Complete your Study Skills Inventory.
• Be honest!
Parents:
• Talk with your student to help him/her
identify study strengths & challenges.
What are study tools &
strategies?
Study Tools: steps, procedures, or
resources to help you acquire, organize,
remember, and use information
Study Strategies: the ways in which you
choose, use, and stick to your study tools
Why are they so important?
Turn to your partner and discuss:
•
Why do you think it’s important to develop good study
habits while you’re in high school?
•
What has helped you study successfully in the past?
•
When do you have a hard time getting motivated to
study?
Why are they so important?
High school (and then college!) requires
more student independence – you are more
in charge of your schedule, your work, and
your grades.
Why are they so important?
Studies have shown that…
•
Students at all levels who possess good study skills
are more likely to achieve academic success
•
Students who believe that studying is important are
more likely to achieve academic success
•
People who know how to study are also more likely to
be successful in other pursuits
Important Study Tools
Different tools can help you effectively
acquire,
organize,
remember,
and
use
information, as well as plan when you’ll
actually study.
Calendars
• Keeping a monthly calendar will help you see everything that’s coming up
Take time every day to fill out all of
your upcoming assignments and
obligations – practices, games,
rehearsals, volunteer work, and
even fun! – on your calendar.
To Do Lists
• Along with your monthly calendar, track when specific assignments are due.
Mark the priority level so you can
immediately see what has to be
done and when.
Record each task’s due date, steps
for
completion,
remember.
and
notes
to
Grade Tracker
• Track every assignment’s grade in each class, as well as your overall grade.
This is a particularly helpful tool if
your teachers wait to return your
assignments until the end of a unit.
KWL Chart
• A KWL Chart helps you organize your thinking about your learning – either
when you’re learning something new or studying what you’ve already learned
The chart gives you space to list:
• what you know about a subject
• what you want to know
• what you’ve learned by studying
KWL: Practice!
K:
what do you KNOW about black holes?
• work with your partner for five minutes to list everything you know
W:
what do you WANT to know about black holes?
• work with your partner for five minutes to generate at least five things you
want to know
L:
what did you LEARN about black holes?
Note-Taking Template
• Structured note-taking will help you take better notes in class and study from
them before a big test – one of the most important skills for any subject or grade
Use this form to. . .
• take notes in class
• identify key points from those
notes
• summarize the overall ideas
Learning Styles
Before you can set up a study system for
yourself, it helps to know a little about how
you learn best.
Visual Learners
Clues
Study Tips
• You need to see it to know
it
• You have a strong sense of
color
• You have trouble following
long lectures in school
• You may be artistic
• Use graphics to reinforce
learning – movies,
illustrations, and diagrams
• Color code your notes
• Write out directions when
you hear them
• Write your notes as flow
charts
Auditory Learners
Clues
Study Tips
• You prefer to get
• Record lectures if your
information by listening
teacher allows you to
• You may have difficulty
• Learn by participating in
following written directions
discussions about a topic
• You rely on someone’s
• Softly read test questions
tone of voice rather than
aloud
facial expressions
Kinesthetic Learners
Clues
Study Tips
• You prefer hands-on
• Take frequent breaks in
learning, like experiments
your study periods to move
• You can assemble parts
• Try experiential learning by
without reading directions
making models or role
playing to help you
• You may not like to sit still
remember
• You learn better when
physical activity is involved • Trace letters and words
with your fingers to help
you remember facts
Tips for Success
•
Designate a specific space for studying (your
desk, a quiet room) and always work there
•
Bring everything you need to study – and
nothing you don’t.
•
Talk to yourself – literally! Say things aloud to
help them stick.
Tips for Success
•
Ask yourself questions about what you’re
learning, and answer yourself in complete
sentences.
•
Take regular, short breaks to help your brain
absorb what you’re learning
•
Ask someone to check on your progress and
praise your successes
Discussion
Turn to your partner and discuss:
•
Which tool(s) that you learned about today do
you think will be most helpful in your
studying?
•
How will you change your study strategies
based on what you’ve learned tonight?
Questions?