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Method 1)
We recommend you to skim read first and then highlight the chapters. As it is always the case with students, many of us make mistakes in underlining every single word of the chapter, but this is completely useless. Some tips that could help in avoiding this pitfall are the following:
preview the text - look through the chapter, the images, graphs, end of chapter questions...
Highlight words and phrases only when you have reached the end of a paragraph or section in order to reduce highlighting.
Highlight key words and not sentences
Consider color coding: maybe use different highlighters for definitions, key points and examples
Avoid picking dark or too similar colors
The purpose of underlining should be to help you identify the main concepts in a text, and then to fix them in your memory by making connections between them.
Studying is in fact made up of several stages which, if followed carefully, always lead to satisfactory results. The most delicate and important phase is certainly to be able to identify the key concepts and highlight them correctly.
First of all, it is important to start by reading the paragraph, concentrating on the text, understanding 100% of its meaning. Now that you have an overall idea of the topic, you know where to find the key words that are often repeated in the text, start reading again, focusing on the main topics. In a text you should underline the most significant key words, so once you have identified a sentence that expresses a main concept, underline only those words that are necessary to convey the essence of the concept. A good habit would also be to take notes in your notebook or write them down on a separate notepad. Once you have selected the main information, you can start to outline it in a bulleted speech or by creating mind maps.
Finally, when you have read, analysed and connected the essentials, it is time to check whether you have done a good job or not. Try to read only the underlined parts again and try to organize a speech, even out loud, to rework what you have learnt.
Good example of highlighting
Bad example of highlighting - excessive
Taking notes of what you have read is also essential. Jot down also diagrams as they help collect, process and understand information. Studies have also shown that it helps the brain make connections that are necessary for longer retention. This could also help those who are visual learners.
Some of us tend to do very complete notes, with every single detail, others instead prefer doing mind maps. This is really up to you.
At last, repeating is important, as if you were in front of a mirror or explaining what you have learned to your pet animal, either way, it makes you remember more notions and can make you understand what you still have to revise or what you have more doubts on.
As you can see from the video, Martina has already highlighted the parts on the book and is now going ahead writing down all the necessary notes and diagrams she will need to revise the chapter.
Another tip could be using erasable pens and highlighters in order to not get too frustrated if making a mistake. This will make note-taking process much more simple and relaxing.
IMG_6802.mov
This is another method of note taking, a more concise one, with just key words. As for this kind we advise you to use these apps, available for mac and android:
Imindmap
Notability
Good notes
One note
Padlet
Creating diagrams and chapter summaries are essential in order to give an insight on the main concepts and relations inside the chapter you are studying.
Types of diagrams you can use are: mind maps, Venn diagrams, web diagrams, flowcharts, drawings and maps.
Method 2)
Using flashcards helps with the memorization of key terms and concepts that are frequently asked in an exam. They are a very versatile tool and they give your brain a very quick way to check if your answer is right or wrong. Becoming aware of mistakes is an act of self reflection which deepens a person's memory. They also helps to engage in active recall that teaches your brain to remember a term, concept or process without context clues.
For the chapters we were assigned, we have produced multimedial resources on QUIZLET that is a flashcard online activity platform that is very useful and commonly used.
These are handeritten flashcards. The colored line paper can be bought directly form this amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=flashcard&ref=nb_sb_noss_2 or https://www.amazon.it/s?k=flashcards&__mk_it_IT=%C3%85M%C3%85%C5%BD%C3%95%C3%91&ref=nb_sb_noss_1
IMG_2704.movhttps://quizlet.com/it/582016897/c1-flash-cards/?new - Chapter Chem 1
https://quizlet.com/it/582001813/c1-c2-flash-cards/ - Chapter Chem 2
Method 3)
Acronyms and Acrostics
If you are having some problems while learning information by heart, here are some useful tips for it: Use an acrostic to make mnemonics easier to learn, this will make a long sentence a short one; this will make learning it by heart, way easier.
These are some examples of how you can use these acrostics to help you study for the IGCSE:
For the Reactivity Series- Please Stop Calling Me A Carless Zebra Instead Try Learning How Copper Saves Gold
Oil Rig: Oxidation is losing; Reduction is gaining (of electrons)
Flame tests: Little Criminals Nasty Youths Kick Little Cata Round Back gardens -> Potassium (Lilac), Sodium (Yellow), Lithium (Crimson), Calcium (Red), Copper (II) (Blue-Green)
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