Study Skill Strategies

Objectives

• Determine what type of learner you are by completing learning style inventory

• Develop better listening skills• Utilize reading strategies for improving reading

comprehension• Explore varying techniques for improving memory• Implement strategies for taking tests with various

types of questions.

Introduction

• Developing good study skills is vital to your success in this class.• If developed now, they will be invaluable to you as you make the transition

from high school into college.• This lesson will assist you in developing the following skills:• Determining what type of learner you are• Organizing your time by preparing a study schedule • Following instructions• Becoming a better listener• Writing more useful lecture notes• Improving your reading skills• Developing strategies for successful test taking

Learning Style Inventory

• Determine how you learn best through completing learning style inventory

Attitude(handout)

• This survey on attitude is designed to help you know yourself better

• There is no right or wrong answers, but you must be honest with yourself

• To learn and apply quality study skills, it is essential to have a positive attitude

• Your attitude and motivation will make all the difference

Time Control

• Do you have a large monthly calendar?

• Write all important tests, deadlines, and activities on a large monthly calendar

• Place in a conspicuous location• Use color to highlight important

dates

Time Control

• Use daily planning sheet to prioritize time (handout)

• Do you have a weekly study plan? (handout)• Use the blank weekly study plan to visualize and

organize your time• Lightly pencil in your classes and block out

times to eat, sleep, work, or study

Time Control

• Do you plan for a least one hour of study for each class period?

• By keeping a regular schedule, you study time will soon become habit forming

• Do you plan for study breaks?• Remember to limit your straight study time to

no longer than one hour• Take a 10 minute break between study

periods to refresh yourself and rest your mind

30 Minutes a Day

• ’30 Minutes a Day Bring Good Grades Your Way

• By reducing and reviewing your notes the same day, you keep information in your head

• It will only take about 5-10 minutes to go through your notes!

• Do this three different times during the day=30 minutes!

Apply 30 Minutes

• Make and carry flashcards

• Study during commercials

• Go to Class-your attendance is vital to your success

Time Control

• Do you preview text assignments?

• Do you review class notes from the previous class before your study time?

Get Organized

• Keep a notebook

• Use a 1 ½-2 inch binder to keep your notes, handouts, study guides, homework, etc. organized

• Date each lecture and number all pages in sequence

Listening

• Listening means paying attention to and making an effort to hear what the other person is saying.

• Good listening skills require constant practice.

Listening Techniques

• Diversified Health Occupations (6th edition) – page 208

• Show interest and concern for what the speaker is saying

• Be alert and maintain eye contact with the speaker

• Avoid interrupting the speaker

Listening Techniques

• Pay attention to what the speaker is saying• Avoid thinking about how your are going to respond• Try to eliminate your own prejudices and see the other

person’s point of view• Eliminate distractions by moving to a quiet area• Watch the speaker closely to observe actions that may

contradict what the person is saying

Listening Techniques

• Reflect statements back to the speaker to let them know they are being heard

• Ask for clarification if you do not understand part of a message

Note takingThree Systems

• Outline Format – Represent key ideas by Roman numerals

• Other ideas relating to each key idea by uppercase letters, numbers and lowercase letters

• Paragraph Format– Involves writing detailed paragraphs, with each containing a

summary of a topic• List Format

– Effective when taking notes on terms and definitions, sequences and facts

Effective Notetaking

• Always read your assignment before you come to class

• Otherwise the lecture may sound as if it is in Greek

• Be prepared• Identify some serious

students and get to know them

• Get phone numbers in case you have questions or need help during the semester

• Copy everything the instructor writes on the board

• Especially examples, solutions, outlines, & definitions

Take Notes on all:

• Definitions• Lists• Formulas or solutions• In discussion in classes, jot notes on important

points• Such as conclusions reached during discussion

Notes

• Use symbols, diagrams, or drawings to simplify ideas

• Listen for signals from your instructor about what is important

• Voice changes usually indicate important points

• Repetition is a clue that an important point is being made

• Stay involved with class discussion.

• Ask questions, especially when things are unclear

Make it Easy

• Abbreviate, Omit, Invent and Simplify

• Distribute handout (abbreviations for notetaking)

Improving Reading Skills

• Not everyone is blessed with good reading ability

• Reading can be developed with practice

• We will discuss a five step strategy that will improve your reading skills by becoming a more critical reader

RRR

R #1- Read and Underline

• Read each section

• After each section, go back to the beginning and underline, highlight, or mark material that is important and make up your own test questions

• Read a paragraph or a section of the text and go back and underline only main points

• Do not underline the first time you read material

Read and Underline

• Vertical lines -- place vertical lines in the margin to emphasize main points of several lines

• Asterisks -- use asterisks for main points and for other important points or ideas that may be important

• Definitions and examples -- underline all definitions. Write definition in margin. Put ( ) around examples

Read and Underline

• Don’t highlight everything-just key points

• Circle or boxes - some circle or box important concepts, ideas or subheadings

R #2-Recite and Write Study Notes

• Once you have formed questions on your reading and found the answers, now you are ready to recite the answers

• Recite the answers out loud or to yourself

• Write brief study notes

• Write a sentence summary of the main idea in each paragraph if the material is extremely difficult for you

R #3-Review the Entire Chapter

• Reread each heading• Review the underlined

and highlighted material• Answer the questions

you formed on each session

Memory Training

• Human beings are capable of extraordinary feats of memory

• You are not born with it but develop it through the use of various techniques, and considerable practice

• These memory steps if learned and practiced, can make your studying easier

Memory Training #1

• Recite material aloud• When you study or

memorize, recite the answers to your study questions so you can hear them

• Question yourself aloud and answer yourself

• Quiz each other

Memory Training #2

• Overlearn

• Review material that you have learned several times

• When finals come around your will have mastered material

Memory Training #3

• Organize the material• People who recall long

lists of numbers often can do so because they have found a pattern or relationship

Memory Training - #4

• A. Spread your memory work over several sessions– Shorter periods of memory work, not more than two

hours each, are far superior to six hours of frantic cramming

Memory Training #5

• Test and retest yourself• Memorize the first item• Go on to the second item and memorize it• Now repeat the first item and the second by memory• When you know those two, go to the third• Memorize the third item and repeat items one, two, and

three

Memory Training #6

• Expect to remember• Your attitude is the secret• Believe in yourself and in

your ability to learnElephants never forget

Memory Training #7

• Use silly phrases and catchwords• Come up with acronyms and pnemonics

Memory Training

• Use hooks, catchwords, and silly sentence

• Study before you sleep

• ROOSTER-catchword for remembering how to train our memory

• R-Recite material aloud

• O-Organize your material into a meaningful pattern

• O-Overlearn

• S-Spread your memory work over several sessions

• T-Test and retest yourself

• E-Expect to remember

• R-Recall-use hooks, catchwords and silly sentences

Taking Exams

• Look over the entire test• Know how much each question is worth and budget your time

accordingly• Check the clock every 10 minutes to insure you will not be

caught off guard and run out of time• Answer the easiest questions first• Put a check by those that are harder and return to those

questions last

Taking Exams

• Place another line through the check when you complete the harder questions

• Underline key words in the question

• Make special note of negative words like “not”

• Ask for clarification