Study Skills

CHARACTERISTICS OF SUCCESSFUL STUDENTS

1.      Successful students attend class and they are on time. 

2.     If they miss a session, they feel obligated to let the instructor know and why.

3.     Successful students take advantaged of extra credit assignments or ask if they are offered.  They demonstrate they care about their grades and are willing to work to improve them.

4.     They speak up in class; they ask questions and participate.

5.     They turn in assignments that look neat and sharp.  They take the time to produce a final product that looks good; this reflects a caring attitude.

6.     They are attentive in class.  They don’t chat, read, or stare out of windows.

7.     They do all of their work and turn in all assignments.

TRIED AND TRUE STUDY TECHNIQUES

1.       Study in the same place all the time.  This gets your mind set for studying. Your body gets accustomed to certain things in certain places.  Find a place where your body knows it is study time.

2.     Avoid, or at least minimize, distractions.  Never study with the TV on.  Don’t study near a window and do not have a lot of pictures or photographs around – this allows your mind to distract.  Isolate yourself.  Put the answering machine on; put a sign on your door.  Your study time is just that, study time! 

3.     Have everything you need in your study area:  paper, pencils, erasers, pens, notebooks, books, etc.  Continually getting up to get things will break your concentration.

4.     Get to work right away – just do it!  Take a few minutes to plan your study time, review what you want to accomplish and get to it.

5.     Don’t study longer than you can concentrate.  Study 25-30 minutes than take a short 5 minute break.  A short break does wonders for the concentration.  Stand up, stretch, get a glass of water.

6.     Set definite goals and schedule enough study time to meet them. 

7.     Be comfortable physically.  Make sure the temperature in not too hot or too cold and that the lighting is right for you.

8.     Study during a time that matches your biological clock.  Some of us are morning people and others are evening people.  Know your peak energy time (the time when you are at your best) and study during that time.

9.     Find someone else to study with, but be careful who that someone is – try not to study with friends – this can be too disruptive.

SCHEDULING YOUR STUDY TIME

1.       Experts agree that on average you should study two hours out of class for every hour you spend in class (academic classes).  If you do this you will know the material.

2.     Do the first review of your lecture notes within 24 hours or sooner.  This will move the information from your short-term memory into your long-term memory and will allow you to efficiently edit your notes.

3.     Do 5-10 minute daily reviews of each subject.

4.     Do weekly reviews of all subject matter.  Do one hour for each subject. Create review tools: lecture notes, notes from chapters read, concepts, questions, major ideas, definitions, formulas, equations, etc.

5.     Make flash cards and use them while waiting in line, eating, etc.

6.     Do major reviews – one week before the test.

• Set aside 2-5 hours at a time with sufficient breaks. 

• Go back and look at all review tools from daily & weekly reviews. 

• Make up your own test. 

• Plan a strategy, know what you will be asked, what types of questions. It never hurts to ask what will be covered on the test.

• Manage your time, be prepared, and do what you are asked to do.