Academic Study & Planning Resources

STUDY SKILLS GUIDE

Learning to study effectively and efficiently has a direct bearing on success in school at any level. Well-developed study habits help a person both in school and on the job. It is never too early or too late to begin to develop good study skills, or to refine those that you already have. Studying should become a habit. People who never learned how to study are at a distinct disadvantage in the classroom or when looking for advancement in their career. No one can study for you and there are many factors competing for your time. So, it is important to complete assignments in the most efficient manner The following suggestions will help to make studying more efficient:

Establish a definite study schedule

The best time to study has been found to be about a half-hour after dinner. A weekly calendar should be developed so that there is time spent on long-term projects as well as review.

Establish a regular place to study

● Eliminate interruptions –Cell phones, TV and radio should be turned off. It is better to respond to others when you are finished than to interrupt your study time.

● Work at a clean desk or table - Anything that is not needed should be removed. Pictures, letters and other personal items will take your mind off the task at hand.

● Sit on a hard chair- a soft, comfortable, chair will make you relax at a time when you should be concentrating.

● Provide adequate light - Good lighting will prevent mistakes and enable you to work faster and become less tired.

● Keep all needed supplies nearby-Pencils, pens, assignment notebooks, reference sources, textbooks and other needed materials should be close at hand.

● Use textbooks effectively.

● Keep an assignment notebook - Make sure you know exactly what your assignments are.

● Do more difficult assignments first - This is when you are the most alert. If you put them off, you may never get to them or be too tired to give them the attention they need.

● Skim assignments before reading them - Read the introduction, summary, headings, vocabulary lists and questions first. This will give you a good idea of what the assignment is about.

● Keep a vocabulary notebook for each course - Knowing the technical vocabulary will make reading and understanding much easier.

● Take notes while reading - If necessary, outline particularly difficult parts. This information will make good material to review before a test.

If you use these study techniques, they will help you now in high school and later in college or in any task that requires serious effort. It may seem difficult at first, but the more you practice, the better you will become at studying.