AgendaAgendaAgendaAgendaPart 1: Being a Prepared StudentPart 1: Being a Prepared Student

Part 2: Being an Effective ListenerPart 2: Being an Effective Listener

Part 3: Taking Quality NotesPart 3: Taking Quality Notes

Part 4: Preparing for TestsPart 4: Preparing for Tests

Part 5: Dealing with AnxietyPart 5: Dealing with Anxiety

Student Student Effectiveness Effectiveness

Starts With Being Starts With Being PreparedPrepared

Student Student Effectiveness Effectiveness

Starts With Being Starts With Being PreparedPrepared

""Always have a plan and believe in Always have a plan and believe in it. Nothing good happens by it. Nothing good happens by accident.accident."" ~ Chuck Knox, NFL football ~ Chuck Knox, NFL football coachcoach

Top 12 Study Skills Necessary for Academic Success…

Note taking Goal Setting Selecting Ideas from Texts and Lectures Time Management Problem Solving Concentration and Attentional Skills Test Preparation Questioning Skills Inference Skills Self-Directional Processes Verbal Elaboration Ability Imaginal Elaboration

http://learningassistance.com/2007/september/printables/studyskillsprint.html

Being Prepared Means…

Using a three-ring binder Pages can be easily removed for reviewing. Handouts can be inserted into your notes for cross-

referencing. You can insert your own out-of-class notes in the

correct order. Bringing highlighters to class. Highlight when the

instructor says… "This is an important concept.“ "Make sure you understand this."

Reading assigned material and previous class notes before class. Note concepts you don't understand. Look up vocabulary words that are unfamiliar to

you.

Effective ListeningEffective ListeningEffective ListeningEffective Listening

""Learn how to listen and you will Learn how to listen and you will prosper even from those who talk prosper even from those who talk badly.badly.""

~ Plutarch (A.D. 46 - 120). Greek biographer and philosopher~ Plutarch (A.D. 46 - 120). Greek biographer and philosopher

Effective Listening is…

Having a positive attitude Being an active listener Adapting to the direction of the lecture Never

Calling the Subject Dull Criticizing the Speaker Getting Over-stimulated Listening Only For Facts Trying To Outline Everything Faking Attention Tolerating Distraction Choosing Only What's Easy Letting Emotion-Laden Words Get In The Way Wasting the Differential Between Speech and Thought

Speed

Effective Effective Note-TakingNote-Taking

Effective Effective Note-TakingNote-Taking

"Never use a sentence when you "Never use a sentence when you can use a phrase, or a phrase can use a phrase, or a phrase when you can use a word.”when you can use a word.” ~Berkeley ~Berkeley

General Note-Taking Guidelines

Start each new lecture on a new page Date & number each page Write on one side of the paper only Leave blank spaces. Make your notes as brief Use abbreviations and symbols. Note unfamiliar vocabulary / concepts

Include in Your Notes… Main Points with supporting

Details Facts Explanations

Discussed enumerations or lists Definitions, word for word Material written on boards or

transparencies Drawings or charts.  Repeated or spelled information

Always Edit Your Notes…

Review notes within 24 hours Edit for illegible words and phrases Write out abbreviated words that

might be unclear later Edit with a different colored pen Fill in key words / questions in the

left-hand column Highlight what you don't

understand Fill in notes from your textbook

Note-Taking Systems The Cornell Method

The Outline Method

The Mapping Method

The Charting Method

The Sentence Method

The Cornell Method Method

2½ inch left-hand margin / 6 inch right-hand margin Take notes in 6 inch area New point, skip a few lines Clean up notes after class--create summaries Write a cue in the left margin Review by covering notes with a card

Say cue / say material underneath the card Move the card / see if what you said matches what is

written

Advantages Organized and systematic Easy format for pulling out major concept and ideas Simple and efficient Saves time and effort

Disadvantages – None When to Use - Any lecture

The Outline Method Method

Organized space indention pattern Major points left / more specific right Levels of importance = distance away from the major

point Space relationships will indicate the major/minor points

Advantages Well-organized Records content / relationships Reduces editing / easy to review--turning main points

into questions Disadvantages

Requires thought in class for accurate organization May not show sequence relationships Cannot be used if the lecture is too fast.

When to Use—When… Lecture presented in outline—deductive or inductive Sufficient time is available You can handle the outlining regardless of the situation.

The Mapping Method

Method… Relates fact or idea to every other fact or idea Graphic representation of lecture content Maximizes active participation / Emphasizes critical

thinking Advantages

Visually track the lecture Relationships can easily be seen Easy to edit by adding numbers, marks, and color

coding Review by restructuring thought processes

Disadvantages May not hear changes from major points to facts

When to Use—When… Lecture content is heavy & well-organized A guest lecturer presents

The Charting Method Method

Determine the categories Set up paper in advance by columns headed by

categories Listen & record information into appropriate categories

Advantages Helps you track the lecture Reduces amount of writing Provides easy review mechanism

for memorization of facts for study of comparisons and relationships

Disadvantages Learning how to use the system Locating appropriate categories

When to Use—When… Test focuses on facts and relationships Content is heavy and presented fast You want to reduce the amount of time you spend

editing and reviewing You want an overview of the whole course on one big

paper sequence

The Sentence Method Method

Write every new thought, fact or topic numbered on a separate line

Advantages Slightly more organized than the paragraph Gets more or all of the information

Disadvantages Can’t determine major/minor points Difficult to edit without rewriting to by clustering related

points Difficult to review unless editing cleans up relationship

When to Use—When… Lecture is organized & heavy with content quickly

delivered You hear different points, but don’t know how they fit

together Instructor presents in point fashion without related groups

Note-Paper Generators

http://www.simson.net/notepaper/index.cgi

http://www.eleven21.com/notetaker/

http://www.botsko.net/Demos/notepad_generator/

Testing Effectiveness Testing Effectiveness Starts With Being Starts With Being

PreparedPrepared

Testing Effectiveness Testing Effectiveness Starts With Being Starts With Being

PreparedPrepared

"A good plan, violently executed now, "A good plan, violently executed now, is better than a perfect plan next is better than a perfect plan next week.“week.“

~~General George S. Patton Jr.General George S. Patton Jr.

General Test Taking Tips

Preparation for your first test begins the first day of class Studying Completing homework assignments Reviewing study materials on a regular basis.

Manage your time Go to any review sessions offer by the

instructor Pay attention to hints Take careful notes Ask questions

General Test Taking Tips

(continued)

Go to class immediately before test Review material from…

Practice tests Homework Sample problems Review material The textbook Class notes

Eat a light meal for energy and focus

General Test Taking Tips

(continued)

No all-nighters Sleep at least 3 hours Set your alarm Set a backup alarm

Create a one page study sheet Go to the bathroom before the test Get to class 5 minutes before the test

Specific Test Taking Tips Bring…

Two pens/pencils with good erasers Calculator with enough batteries Any other resources that your instructor allows Watch

Keep a positive attitude / Stay relaxed Survey the entire test / pace yourself Do easiest problems first / skip what you

don’t know Ask for clarification Write legibly Read the whole question / no

assumptions When done check over the complete test Put your first and last name on the test

Post Test Taking Tips

Check for grading mistakes Analyze & learn from your

mistakes Take notes on correct answers Seek make-up exam / extra credit Study test for cumulative exams

Multiple Choice Strategies

Read question first & determine the answer Read all choices / Use process of

elimination Make educated guesses Don't change your answer Don’t choose "All of the above" if any

distracter is false Don’t choose "None of the above" if any

distracter is true Two or more distracters correct choose “All

of the above” A positive choice more likely to be true than

a negative one Correct answer / choice with the most

information.

Essay Test Strategies Read the directions / Follow them exactly Make sure you understand the question Write everything you know about the question Budget your time Question asks for facts, give facts, not opinions Write legibly / Be neat Outline your essay so it is organized and flows No long introductions & conclusions/ Spend

time answering question(s) Focus on one main idea per paragraph. Proofread & correct errors Draw one line through a mistake

True-False Test Strategies Most tests have more true than false

answers Guess if no penalty applies Read each statement carefully Pay attention to the qualifiers and

keywords Never, always, & every lead to a false answer. Usually, sometimes, and generally" mean lead to a

true answer

Part false / All false Part true / True or False

Short Answer Test Strategies

Create flashcards Front--key terms, dates and concepts Back--definition, event, and explanations

Anticipate questions & prepare answers No blanks--go for partial credit Don't know--come back & make

educated guess Read question carefully / multiple parts

Math Test-Taking Strategies

Repetition = Results in Math Practice solving problems on each topic in different levels of difficulty Solve problems on your own first, then check answers

Create study sheet w/formulas & memorize them

When you get test write formulas in margins Read directions carefully Answer all parts of each question Estimate answers Show all your work Write legibly Don't erase work--go for partial credit Check test when done--Make sure…

Redo questionable problems on a separate piece of paper Compare reworked answer to test answer Look for careless mistakes Copied the numbers correctly Signs are correct Arithmetic is correct

Open Book Test-Taking StrategiesOpen book tests are usually difficult so… Spend equal or greater amount of time

preparing Be Familiar with book & relevant materials Create study sheet with most important

information Focus on main ideas & where they are located Highlight important points

Use post-it notes Bookmarks Annotate book

Bring all resources instructor allows Answer easy questions first Don’t over-quote / Provide insight &

commentary

Self-SabotageSelf-SabotageAnxietyAnxiety

Self-SabotageSelf-SabotageAnxietyAnxiety

I keep the telephone of my mind open to peace, harmony, health, love and abundance. Then, whenever doubt, anxiety or fear try to call me, they keep getting a busy signal – and soon they’ll forget my number. ~Edith Armstrong

Test Anxiety = Stress

So…What is stress?

…our perceptions of and reactions to the positive or negative situations that occur in our lives.

Fight or Flight Response

Pituitary gland automatically releases Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), which signals

Adrenal glands to release the “stress hormones” Adrenaline

Cortisol

Hormones help us Focus on the situation at hand

Speed up reaction times

Temporarily boost our physical strength and agility

Fight or Flight Response

(continued)

Automatic physiological responses to stress

Heart pounds Hands/Feet cooler than usual Face warm/Cheeks & ears pink Pressure headache Mouth dry Upset stomach or butterflies in stomach Feel restless Sweat / Hands clammy

Fight or Flight Response

(continued)

Emotional responses Frustration Anger

“Virtually every organ and every chemical constituent of the human

body is involved in the general stress reaction.”

~Dr. Hans Selye, The Stress of Life

Three Levels of Stress

Acute stress Most manageable

Heart rates jump Blood pressures raise Tension headaches Momentarily angry, elated, boisterous or

resentful Temporary

Step back to curb out of the path of a vehicle Home team wins (or loses) Cry in joy, relief, frustration

Levels of Stress(continued)

Episodic acute stressLife gets the best of you

Deserve a raise and/or promotion, but don’t askLife spins out of controlOne disaster after another

IllnessDivorceLoss of employment

SymptomsRecurring headachesIndigestionFatigueInsomnia

Levels of Stress(continued)

Chronic stress Literally wears us out

Body & mind reacts / serious long-term physical and/or mental disorders.

Occurs when situations become impossible Long ignored symptoms become

invisible Grinding teeth Tremors Confusion Forgetfulness Over-eating Alcoholism

Effects of StressAcute Stress

HeadachesDigestive problemsEating disordersInsomniaFatigue

Episodic StressHeart diseaseHigh blood pressureStroke

Chronic StressHopelessnessConstant anxietyDepressionParanoia and delusionsSuicide

Managing Stress

Take a Deep Breath & Count to 10Stand up and smile / Every cloud has a silver liningTake a short walk / Exercise / Participate in a sportStop and Smell the Roses / Take the time to enjoy lifeSleep on it / Take a nap / Get a good night's restKnow your limitations / Dare to say noBe pro-active in finding peaceNeed help, ask for it / Talk to a friendEat healthilyListen to your favorite musicPlan out your time and prioritizeGet a massage / Take a warm bathRead a book / Watch TV / Play a game

Reducing Test AnxietyBe well preparedSpace out your studyingMaintain a positive attitudeExercise to help reduce stress. Get a good night's sleep before the testBe on time to class / Not too earlyStay relaxed / Use relaxation strategiesRead the directions slowly and carefullySkim through the test / Pace yourselfRecord formulas, facts, definitions, keywords in the marginBuild confidence / Do the simple questions firstDon't worry about how fast other people finish their testDon't know, skip it & come back laterFocus / Don't let your mind wander

He has achieved success who has lived well, laughed He has achieved success who has lived well, laughed often and loved much; who has gained the respect of often and loved much; who has gained the respect of intelligent men and the love of little children; who intelligent men and the love of little children; who has filled his niche and accomplished his task; who has filled his niche and accomplished his task; who has left the world better than he found it, whether by has left the world better than he found it, whether by an improved poppy, a perfect poem, or a rescued an improved poppy, a perfect poem, or a rescued soul; who has never lacked appreciation of earth's soul; who has never lacked appreciation of earth's beauty or failed to express it; who has always looked beauty or failed to express it; who has always looked for the best in others and given them the best he for the best in others and given them the best he had; whose life was an inspiration; whose memory a had; whose life was an inspiration; whose memory a benediction. benediction.

——Bessie StanleyBessie Stanley

A Final A Final Thought…Thought…

A Final A Final Thought…Thought…

ReferencesWeb Addresseshttp://www.dartmouth.edu/~acskills/success/notes.htmlhttp://jerz.setonhill.edu/writing/academic/notes-tips.htmhttp://www.testtakingtips.com/http://www.stressmanagementtips.com/

BooksHipp, Earl (1995). Fighting Invisible Tigers. MN: Free Spirit Publishing.Smith, Brenda D. (2008). Bridging the Gap (9TH ed.). NY: Pearson Education, Inc.Mather, Peter and McCarthy, Rita (2007). Reading and All That Jazz (3rd ed.). IL: McGraw Hill Companies, Inc.