Study Skills
- 1. Study Skills
- 2. Motivation Motivation is influenced by both internal and external factors. Motivation is not a stable trait. It is not an innate part of your character. Motivation can be improved!
- 3. Motivators • Social • Emotional • Cognitive
- 4. What is the relationship? Motivation Hard Work Motivation Hard Work
- 5. How to manage your time more effectively • Ownership of your time • Planning your schedule – Know your daily alertness pattern – Allow sufficient time for each aspect/subject – Long term – Intermediate – Short term – Making your schedule work!
- 6. Avoid Distractions/Time Wasters • Computer, Internet, Xbox, Wii • Phone—turn it off • Visitors—do not disturb sign • Clear work area of clutter • Ineffective planning • Lack of self-discipline • Procrastination!
- 7. Procrastination • Why do we procrastinate? – Perfectionism – Fear of failure – Fear of success – Laziness – Rebellion
- 8. Tips on overcoming procrastination • Set personal contract/goals • “Five minute” Plan • Reminders • Routine • Do it when you think of it! • Remind yourself of the consequences of procrastination
- 9. When to Review • Frequently during the semester • Attend study sessions run by the professor • Schedule several final review sessions —not one long one • The night before– briefly review main points and get some sleep • Do not study immediately before test time
- 10. Ways to improve studying • Develop a schedule • Study one subject for one hour at a time • Keep all materials for one class in same notebook • Have a purpose • Predict possible ?’s • Go over previous tests (if available) • Make Charts
- 11. Ways to improve studying—continued • Use visual aids • Instead of highlighting, use SQ4R – Summarize, Question, Read, Recite, Review, ‘Riting • Avoid Cramming • Make information personally meaningful • Method of Loci • Quiz yourself frequently and in the way you will be tested • Get help when struggling
- 12. SQ4R Method • S = Survey Look for structure & organization of chapter • Q = Question Turn each heading into question • 4 R’s = Reading, Reciting, Reviewing. & 'Riting Read to answer above question Recite the answer to question • R = Review – immediate & delayed
- 13. Survey: Get the “Big Picture” • What reader aids are included in the text? • Read all the titles and subtitles. • Read captions under pictures, charts, graphs, or maps. • Read the questions at the end of the chapter. • If there is a summary read it. • Get an overview of what the chapter is about.
- 14. Question: Reading for Specific Purpose • Turn each title and subtitle into a question. • What questions will the chapter answer? • Ask questions that your teacher would ask. • Ask yourself, "What did my teacher say about this chapter or topic when it was assigned?“ • What do I already know about this topic?
- 15. Read: Active Search of Answers • What is the writer’s purpose? • Reduce your speed for difficult passages. • Stop and reread parts that are not clear.
- 16. Recite: Put it your own words • Ask yourself questions about what was just read and/or summarize, in your own words, what was read.
- 17. Review • Students should study their outlines and notes and be able to retell what was read in their own words. • Read your notes and then quiz yourself. • Make frequent review part of your study habits.
- 18. Reflect: Making Links • Link to previous knowledge • How you can use this information? • What else you need to know more about?
- 19. Studying in Groups • Keep groups small; 2-5 people • Ask each other questions • It’s OK to disagree. • Take a break when needed, whether it’s to energize or cool off after a disagreement
- 20. If you feel bogged down while studying • Get up and move – Stretch – Drink water – Shower • Then go back and review notes
- 21. Keep yourself in good shape • Get plenty of sleep • Eat nutritious meals • Exercise • Take time out for fun • Play hard, study hard, and don’t worry about one while doing the other
- 22. Where to study Set the right atmosphere – Be comfortable – Organized work area – Assemble all required materials – Use a clean, clear work space – Avoid distractions: QUIET!
- 23. Study Environment • Keep regular study hours • Try to study in the same place every time – this will train your mind for “work mode” • Be comfortable, but not too comfortable • Try to study under same conditions as when you will take the exam
Editor's Notes
- #3: Things both inside you and outside you can affect your motivation level. Outside – peer pressure, parental pressure Inside – Your beliefs about your ability;sick Stable – does not stay the same Innate – not part of who you are at birth You can learn to adjust your motivation levels. “I’m just not motivated!” You are motivated to do something like sit on the couch and watch TV. We are all motivated to eat, sleep.
- #4: Social – Your perception of pressures from people around you This BB player may feel pressure from coaches, parents or girlfriend to achieve – to be a starter.So, he is motivated to practice. Emotional- Bb player may feel appreciated/success on the BB court more than other places. Cognitive – BB player may believe this is his way to stay in college – scholarship. Without it he can not attend! Very motivating!
- #5: There is a fundamental difference in the way students think about academic success. Most would say – Motivation leads to hard work –TRUE BUT, it is also true that Hard Work can lead to motivation! As you begin to taste success, you will want more of it and be MOTIVATED to get more. Discipline – Choosing to do something even though you don’t want to do it/don’t feel like it!
- #9: Bits and pieces
- #10: Review subjects daily and weekly anxiety and memory loss may develop if you study right before
- #12: Get help when struggling Tutors, disability assistance, academic and/or personal counselors
- #20: Explaining a concept to another person helps you learn more effectively People are going to have different ideas, especially when drawing conclusions
- #24: Ask the students – Positive study environment? Study hours – set a weekly schedule (TIME MGMT) Comfortable – Library? Where else? Work space – not cluttered ; Materials: have everything you need so you will not be interrupted. Distractions – What are distractions for you? Computer email, telephone, radio, sleep