Key Resources, Strategies,
& Tools for College Success
Presented by: Ithaca College Academic Advising Center
607-274-1001 | 130A Rothschild Place
www.ithaca.edu/advising
Academic Advising Center
Appointment & Drop-in Hours
Monday – Thursday | 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Friday | 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Comprehensive Student Success Model
V.A.R.K.
Time
Management
Exam Prep
CollegeLevel
Reading
Study
Strategies
What’s
Your
Learning
Style?
V.A.R.K.
•
Visual–concept maps,
diagrams, charts, etc.
•
Auditory–read out loud,
hearing and listening
•
Read/write–taking notes,
make lists, re-write notes
•
Kinesthetic–act of writing,
moving while reading,
coloring/highlighting
V.A.R.K. Self - Assessment
Take a few moments and complete the VARK
learning styles inventory questionnaire!
• How do you learn best?
• Do you think this self-assessment accurately
reflects your learning style preferences?
• Why is this exercise and information applicable for
this workshop?
Hitting
the
Books
College-Level Reading
• Make a connection between the
readings and class content.
• Avoid reading a large number of
pages at once.
• If you get to the end of a
paragraph or page and can’t
remember what you read – STOP!
• Read with purpose – jot down
main ideas and highlight as
needed.
Types of Reading
• Textbooks
• Preview chapters and examine chapter structure
• Read, summarize, and highlight sections as needed
• Recommended/Supplemental Readings
• Use supplemental materials to help you understand complex ideas
• Journal/Research Articles
• Introduction and conclusion provide valuable information
• Middle section usually includes methodology and statistical
analysis
• Blogs/posts/other web-based readings
• What are reliable sources?
Study
Strategies
Study Strategies
•
Frequent and brief review of notes and Power Points
•
Break down reading into smaller segments
•
Look for purposeful connections between
assignments/readings and course content
Study Strategies
• Understand that different disciplines require
different ways of studying
• Science, Math, & Computer Science:
∙ formulas, concepts, connection, problem sets, &
practice
• Humanities & Social Sciences:
∙ concepts, theories, trends, analyzing, large
amount of reading, focus on papers
Tips for
Exam
Prep
Tip #1 | Read the Syllabus
• What is the exam going to
look like?
• What information will it
include?
• Will it be multiple
choice/essay/short answer?
• Will it look like other exams
you have taken in the
course?
Tip #2 | Predict Test Questions
• Devise questions from the text, lectures, handouts, and
materials used in class.
• Be aware of the following clues:
•
•
•
•
Points that the professor repeats or emphasizes in class
Questions asked by the professor in class
Questions from quizzes, homework, handouts
Student learning outcomes from syllabus
Tip #3 | Create Good Review Tools
• Review notes and extract main ideas and
important concepts:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Use Flash Cards
Make a Chapter Outline
Create a Study Checklist
Create Mnemonics
Create Mind Maps
Study in a Group
How do I fit it all in?
What are my mandatory time draws?
• Class times
• Other mandatory attendance programs:
•
work, tutor programs, extra help sessions, etc.
• Meals
• Clubs
• Anything that requires some of your time:
•
Volunteer work, organizations, etc.
• Sleep
Where are my free blocks of time?
• Identify time slots that are not taken by
mandatory time draws.
• Indicate study time/free time.
• Be sure to allow 3 hours per credit hour for each
class!!
• Ex. 15 credits of class time indicates 45 hours of
study time per week. Does that seem possible?
Tips for Successful Time Management
• Plan each day
• Prioritize your tasks
• Say no to
nonessential tasks.
• Take the time you
need to do a quality
job
• Break large, timeconsuming tasks
into smaller tasks
• Evaluate how you're
spending your time
• Limit distractions
• Get plenty of sleep,
eat a healthy diet
and exercise
regularly
• Take a break when
needed
Questions?