Study skills

Study Skills

Everyone has a different "learning style". Consequently, everyone has a different "studying style". But the way that you are studying right now might not be the best for you. How would you know? Easy: If your grades aren't what you'd like them to be, then you probably need to change how you study!

Effective study skills must be practiced in order for you to improve. It is not enough to simply "think about" studying; you have to actually do it, and in the process use information from what you do to get better. This is the central idea of this page. All that follows depends on this single concept. There is a saying that goes like this: "Practice doesn't make perfect; perfect practice makes perfect." If you want to be an achiever, take this saying to heart.

I am going to give you some strategies to help you study efficiently.

A. Manage your time

School is a full time job. Managing you time is very important. If you are involved in any extra-curricular activities, you must keep your priorities in mind. You are a student FIRST.

1. Make a schedule of your day taking in account of every activity in your day (i.e. breakfast, school, lunch, bus ride home/practice, sleep etc.)

2. What ever time is left over block it off to study. This gives you a rough road map of the time available. Revise your schedule as needed.

3. A good rule of thumb is that studying should be carried out only when you are well rested, alert, and have planned for it. Last minute studying just before a class is usually a waste of time.

4. How do you know what to study? Use a planner or agenda to keep track of assignments and important topics.

B. Where to study?

Studying can take place anywhere. It is obvious that some places are more suitable than others. Libraries, study rooms and other quiet places are best where you can not be distracted.

C. Study Strategies

Below is a list of strategies that will aid you in studying (attachments have been provided below):

1. Study boring or difficult material first. Label each task A, B,or C. The A's on your list are those things that are most important and need to be completed first . B's on your list are important but not urgent. They are to be completed after alll of the A's are done. C's do not require immediate attention. These are often small, easy jobs. These can be don in odd moments during the day (i.e. after you have finished your classwork, during lunch etc.)

2. The SQ3R Method: survey, question, read, recite, and review

3. Taking notes using the Cornell Note taking Method

4. Outlining chapters & highlighting passages of text. (***If you can not highlight in your text use high lighting tape make by Post-it notes. It can be easily removed)

5. Make flash cards. This is good for vocabulary http://www.kitzkikz.com/flashcards/ (free flash card maker)

6. Write summaries on the topic of study. Pretend you are explaining the topic of study to one of your classmates or parent(s). Be sure to use key vocabulary terms and cover all key points. Let your outline serve as your guide.

7. Complete sample problems. Complete standardize test sections at the end of each chapter; take the end of section quizzes on www.khanacademy.org and attend tutorial sessions on a regular basis when offered.

8. Turn topics into songs or poems

9. Organize study groups

10. Create a pnemonic memory device/acrostic device. (i.e King-Henry-Died-By-Drinking-Chocolate-Milk)