how to study

how to study
► Good Listening In Class
► Taking Notes in Class
► Preparing to Study: A Good Study Place
► Study Groups
► Your Preferred Learning Style
► A Strategy for Reading Textbooks
► Multiple-Choice Tests
► Setting Goals
► Succeeding in College
 Good Listening In Class
► Justhearing what your teachers say is not
the same as listening to what they say.

► Listening
is a cognitive act that requires
you to pay attention and think about and
mentally process what you hear
 Good Listening In Class
► Be Cognitively Ready to Listen.
► Be Emotionally Ready to Listen.
► Listen with a Purpose.
► Listen with an Open Mind.
► Be Attentive.
► Be an Active Listener.
► Accept the Challenge.
► Triumph Over the Environment.
 Taking Notes in Class
three-stage process :
► before class
► during class
► after class
 Taking Notes in Class
► Get Ready to Take Notes (Before
Class)
► Take Notes (During Class)
► Rewrite Your Notes (After Class)
 Get Ready to Take Notes
(Before Class)
 Review your notes from the previous class session
before you come to class. This will help you remember
what was covered and get you ready to understand new
information your teacher provides.
 Complete all assigned readings before you come to
class. Your teacher will expect that you have done this
and will use and build upon this information.
 Bring all notetaking materials with you to class. Have
several pens and pencils as well as your notebook.
Take Notes (During Class)
 Keep your attention focused on what your teacher is
saying. Listen for "signal statements" that tell you that
what your teacher is about to say is important to write
in your notes. Examples of signal statements are "The
most important point..." and "Remember that ... " Be
sure to include in your notes information that your
teacher repeats or writes on the chalkboard.
 Write quickly so that you can include all the important
information in your notes. Do this by writing
abbreviated words such as med for medicine, using
symbols such as % for percent, and writing short
sentences.
 Place a ? next to information you write in your notes,
but about whose meaning you are not sure.
Rewrite Your Notes (After Class)
 Rewrite your notes to make them more complete by
changing abbreviated words into whole words, symbols
into words, and shortened sentences into longer
sentences.
 Make your notes more accurate by answering any
questions you had when writing your notes in class. Use
your textbook and reference sources to obtain the
information you need to answer your questions. If
necessary, ask your teacher or other students for help.
 Check with other students to be sure you did not leave
out important information.
► Havinggood class notes will help you to be better
prepared for tests.
 Preparing to Study: A Good
Study Place
► Is my Study Place available to me whenever I need
it?
► Is my Study Place free from interruptions?
► Is my Study Place free from distractions?
► Does my Study Place contain all the study materials
I need?
► Does my Study Space contain a large enough desk
or table?
► Does my Study Place have enough storage space?
► Does my Study Place have a comfortable chair?
► Does my Study Place have enough light?
► Does my Study Place have a comfortable
temperature?
 Study Groups
► Benefits of a Study Group
► Getting a Study Group Started
► Characteristics of a Successful Study
Group
► Possible Pitfalls of a Study Group
 Study Groups
Benefits of a Study Group
► A support group can "pick you up" when you find that your
motivation to study is slipping. The other group members
can be a source of encouragement.
► You may be reluctant to ask a question in class. You will
find it easier to do so in a small study group.
► You may become more committed to study because the
group members are depending on your presentation and
participation. You will not want to let them down.
► Group members will listen and discuss information and
concepts during the study sessions. These activities add a
strong auditory dimension to your learning experience.
Benefits of a Study Group
► One or more group members are likely to understand something you
do not. They may bring up ideas you never considered.
► You can learn valuable new study habits from the other group
members.
► You can compare your class notes with those of the other group
members to clarify your notes and fill in any gaps.
► Teaching/explaining information and concepts to the other group
members will help you reinforce your mastery of the information and
concepts.
► Let's face it - studying can sometimes be boring. Interacting with the
other group members can make studying enjoyable.
 Getting a Study Group Started
► Get to know your classmates by talking with them
before class, during breaks, and after class. When
selecting a classmate to join your study group, you
should be able to answer YES for each of the
following questions :
 Is this classmate motivated to do well?
 Does this classmate understand the subject matter?
 Is this classmate dependable?
 Would this classmate be tolerant of the ideas of others?
 Would you like to work with this classmate?
 Getting a Study Group Started
► Invite enough of these classmates to work with
you in a study group until you have formed a
group of three to five. A larger group may allow
some members to avoid responsibility, may lead to
cliques, and may make group management more
of an issue than learning.
► Decide how often and for how long you will meet.
Meeting two or three times a week is probably
best. If you plan a long study session, make sure
you include time for breaks. A study session of
about 60 to 90 minutes is usually best.
 Getting a Study Group Started
► Decide where you will meet. Select a meeting place that is
available and is free from distractions. An empty classroom
or a group study room in the library are possibilities.
► Decide on the goals of the study group. Goals can include
comparing and updating notes, discussing readings, and
preparing for exams.
► Decide who the leader will be for the first study session.
Also decide whether it will be the same person each
session or whether there will be a rotating leader. The
leader of a study session should be responsible for meeting
the goals of that study session.
 Getting a Study Group Started

► Clearlydecide the agenda for the first study

session and the responsibilities of each
group member for that session.
► Develop a list of all group members that
includes their names, telephone numbers,
and email addresses. Make sure each group
member has this list and update the list as
needed.
 Characteristics of a Successful
Study Group
► Each group member contributes to discussions.
► Group members actively listen to each other
without interrupting. Only one group member
speaks at a time.
► The other group members work collaboratively to
resolve any concern raised by a group member.
► Group members are prompt and come prepared to
work.
 Characteristics of a Successful
Study Group
► The group stays on task with respect to its
agenda.
► Group members show respect for each
other.
► Group members feel free to criticize each
other but keep their criticisms constructive.
This can encourage group members to
reveal their weaknesses so that they can
strengthen them.
 Characteristics of a Successful
Study Group
► Group members feel free to ask questions of
each other.
► At the end of each study session, an agenda
including specific group member
responsibilities is prepared for the next
session.
► Above all, the positive attitude that "we can
do this together" is maintained
 Possible Pitfalls of a Study
Group
► Do not let the study group get distracted
from its agenda and goals.
► Do not let the study group become a social
group. You can always socialize at other
times.
► Do not allow group members to attend
unprepared. To stay in the group, members
should be required to do their fair share.
 Possible Pitfalls of a Study
Group
► Do not the let the session become a negative
forum for complaining about teachers and courses.
► Do not allow one or two group members to
dominate the group. It is important that all
members have an equal opportunity to participate.
► The information you just read will help you decide
when a study group is appropriate for you and will
help ensure its success.
Your Preferred Learning Style
A learning style is a way of learning

► Auditory Learning Style

► Visual Learning Style
► Tactile/Kinesthetic Learning Style
Are you an Auditory Learner?
► Auditory Learners learn best when information is
presented in an auditory language format.
► Do you seem to learn best in classes that
emphasize teacher lectures and class discussions?
► Does listening to audio tapes help you learn
better?
► Do you find yourself reading aloud or talking
things out to gain better understanding?
► If YES, you are probably an Auditory Learner.
 Are you a Visual Learner?
► Visual Learners learn best when information is presented in
a written language format or in another visual format such
as pictures or diagrams.
► Do you do best in classes in which teachers do a lot of
writing at the chalkboard, provide clear handouts, and
make extensive use of an overhead projector?
► Do you try to remember information by creating pictures in
your mind?
► Do you take detailed written notes from your textbooks
and in class?
► If YES, you are probably a Visual Learner.
 Are you a Tactile/ Kinesthetic
Learner?
► Tactile/Kinesthetic Learners learn best in hands-on learning
settings in which they can physically manipulate something
in order to learn about it.
► Do you learn best when you can move about and handle
things?
► Do you do well in classes in which there is a lab
component?
► Do you learn better when you have an actual object in
your hands rather than a picture of the object or a verbal
or written description of it?
► If YES, you are probably a Tactile/Kinesthetic Learner.
 A Strategy for Reading
Textbooks
SQRW

► Survey.
► Question.
► Read.
► Write.
 survey
► Surveying brings to mind what you already know
about the topic of a chapter and prepares you for
learning more.
► To survey a chapter, read the title, introduction,
headings, and the summary or conclusion.
► Also, examine all visuals such as pictures, tables,
maps, and/or graphs and read the caption that
goes with each.
► By surveying a chapter, you will quickly learn what
the chapter is about.
 question
► You need to have questions in your mind as you read.
► Questions give you a purpose for reading and help you
stay focused on the reading assignment.
► Form questions by changing each chapter heading into a
question.
► Use the words who, what, when, where, why, or how to
form questions.
► If a heading is stated as a question, use that question.
► When a heading contains more than one idea, form a
question for each idea.
► Do not form questions for the Introduction, Summary, or
Conclusion.
 read
► Read the information that follows each
heading to find the answer to each question
you formed.
► As you do this, you may decide you need to
change a question or turn it into several
questions to be answered.
► Stay focused and flexible so you can gather
as much information as you need to answer
each question.
 write
► Write each question and its answer in your
notebook. Reread each of your written
answers to be sure each answer is legible
and contains all the important information
needed to answer the question.
► As you practice using SQRW, you will find
you learn more and have good study notes
to use to prepare for class participation and
tests.
 hint
► Once you complete the Survey step for the
entire chapter, complete the Question,
Read, and Write steps for the first heading.
► Then complete the Question, Read, and
Write steps for the second heading, and so
on for the remaining headings in the
chapter.
 Multiple-Choice Tests
► An incomplete statement followed by
several answer choices.
► A question followed by several answer
choices.
 An incomplete statement followed by
several answer choices

► The first president of the United States,

……………….. , was known as the "Father of
his country."
a. Thomas Jefferson
b. Abraham Lincoln
c. George Washington
d. Theodore Roosevelt
 A question followed by several
answer choices.
► How many states make up the United States
of America?
a. 48
b. 52
c. 46
d. 50
Sometimes, one of the answer choices is "all of the
above." In the following example, "e" is the
correct answer choice because all of the foods
shown are dairy products.

Which of the following foods are dairy products?

a. milk
b. ice cream
c. yogurt
d. cream cheese
e. all of the above
Other times, one of the answer choices is "none of the
above." In the following example, "b" is the correct answer
choice because Argentina is the only country listed that is
in South America. For "e" to be correct, none of the
countries listed could be in South America.

► ……………….. is a country in South America.

a. Russia
b. Argentina
c. Mexico
d. Japan
e. none of the above
 Guidelines When Taking
Multiple-Choice Tests
► Circle or underline important words in the item.
This will help you focus on the information most
needed to identify the correct answer choice.
► Read all the answer choices before selecting one.
It is just as likely for the last answer choice to be
correct as the first.
► Cross out answer choices you are certain are not
correct. This will help you narrow down the correct
answer choice.
 Guidelines When Taking
Multiple-Choice Tests
► Look for two answer choices that are opposites.
One of these two answer choices is likely to be
correct.
► Look for hints about the correct answer choice in
other items on the test. The correct answer choice
may be part of another item on the test.
► Look for answer choices that contain language
used by your teacher or found in your textbooks.
An answer choice that contains such language is
usually correct.
 Guidelines When Taking
Multiple-Choice Tests
► Do not change your initial answer unless you are
sure another answer choice is correct. More often
than not, your first choice is correct.
► Choose "all of the above" if you are certain all
other answer choices in the item are correct. Do
not choose "all of the above" if even just one of
the other answer choices is not correct.
► Choose "none of the above" if you are certain all
other answer choices in the item are incorrect. Do
not choose "none of the above" if even just one of
the other answer choices is correct.
 Setting Goals
► A goal is something you want to achieve.
► A short-term goal is something you want to achieve soon.
Examples of short-term goals are finishing your homework
and doing well on tomorrow's test.
► A longterm goal is something you want to achieve at some
later date. Examples of long-term goals are writing a paper
and passing a class.
► To set appropriate goals, you must know what is important
for you to accomplish. Then you must set specific and
clearly stated goals. If you do not have clearly stated
goals, your effort will lack direction and focus. Write your
goals to have a record of them.
 Setting Goals
► The Three Ws of Goals
► Characteristics of Appropriate Goals
 The Three Ws of Goals
Each goal you set should state
► WHAT you will do and
► WHEN you will accomplish it.
► Implied in each goal you set is your WILL (determination)
to do it.

For example, a goal for a research paper might be stated as

follows:
► I will (your determination) finish gathering information
► for my research paper (what you will do)
► by November 20 (when you will accomplish it).
 Characteristics of Appropriate
Goals
► within your skills and abilities
► realistic
► flexible
► measurable
► within your control

Many times your parents, teachers, and counselors will set

goals for you. Be accepting when they do.
These are people who know what is important for you and
are very concerned with your success.
They can also help you accomplish the goals they set.
 Succeeding in College
Just as in elementary school through high school, your success in college requires
► high motivation and effort
► strong study skills
► effective time management
► good test-taking strategies

But college success requires much more. Once you move from high school to
college, you will generally find that
► students are more motivated and competent than in high school;
► teachers are more demanding;
► the work is more difficult; and
► students are expected to be independent.

Further, if you are living away from home for the first time, you will have many
new experiences
 Succeeding in College
► Have Clear Goals
► Get Financial Aid if Needed
► Manage Your Money
► Stay Physically and Emotionally Healthy
► Choose a Professor Carefully
► Work With Your Advisor
► Make Good Use of the Library
► Get Involved in Campus Life
 Have Clear Goals
► College success requires commitment and a lot of
hard work.
► You must be very certain about the importance of
a college education.
► Be clear about why you are going to college.
► Establish specific goals you wish to accomplish.
► Know what it will take to reach these goals.
► Be certain your goals are consistent with your
interests and abilities.
► Be flexible - change your goals if needed based on
your experience as you progress through college.
 Get Financial Aid if Needed
► College is expensive. Even if you attend a public college or university
and live at home, you still must pay for tuition, fees, and books. There
are many sources of financial aid that can help you meet the high costs
of college. Become aware of and pursue these sources.
► Consider all possible sources of financial aid in addition to your
college's financial aid office.
► Meet all deadlines for submitting applications and documentation.
► Respond quickly and completely to all requests for additional
information.
► Be persistent in following up your application.
► If you do receive financial aid, meet all requirements to keep and
continue your aid.
 Manage Your Money
► There are many ways to spend money in the college
setting for other than education purposes. Take steps to
ensure that you do not waste the money set aside for your
college education.
► Set a budget and keep to it.
► Be careful about your use of credit cards. Don't overspend.
Pay balances promptly to avoid high interest costs.
► Open a checking account and carefully monitor your
balance.
► Keep your cell phone under control. Those minutes and
fees can really add up.
Stay Physically and Emotionally
Healthy
► You will need to be at your best to succeed in college. This means
taking care of your body and maintaining a good frame of mind.
► Get enough sleep.
► Don't rely on coffee and drinks that contain high doses of caffeine to
provide you with energy. Foods such as pasta, peanut butter, non-
sugar cereals, and fresh fruit are healthy alternatives to provide the
energy you need.
► Avoid junk foods. Fast food is convenient but usually not good for you.
► Use the services of the student health office. These services typically
include emergency treatment, low cost examinations, and low cost or
free medication.
► Use the services of the counseling office. The professionals there can
help you overcome feelings of loneliness, depression, and anxiety.
Choose a Professor Carefully
► In college you get to select your schedule of classes. Most classes offer
more than one section so that you can choose not just the day and
time, but the professor who is teaching that section. Often you will find
student ratings of professors on the Internet. You can get even more
feedback by talking to other students. Try to choose a professor who
demonstrates the following characteristics.
► Maintains adequate office hours.
► Provides constructive feedback.
► Adapts to different styles of learning.
► Grades fairly.
► Is highly competent in the subject being taught.
► Establishes clear and reasonable requirements.
► Provides a positive learning environment.
 Work With Your Advisor
► As a student you will be assigned a faculty advisor to help
you with both academic and career issues. It is up to you
to get the most out of this guidance.
► Know your advisor's office location, schedule of office
hours, and contact information.
► Schedule an appointment with your advisor at any time
you have problems that affect your academic performance.
► Consider your advisor's ideas when selecting your major or
at any time you are considering changing your major or
career goals.
► Have specific questions in mind whenever meeting with
your advisor.
Make Good Use of the Library
► You are going to spend a lot of your time in college at the
library. Take full advantage of this major resource.
► Get to know the resources of the library as soon as you get
to college.
► Learn to use its computer resources and card catalogs.
► Make good use of its equipment such as copy machines,
microfiche readers, production facilities, etc.
► Check out its quiet study areas. Sign up for their use if
required.
 Get Involved in Campus Life
► There is a lot more to college than just classes. A college campus is an
exciting, dynamic environment that can provide you with many
opportunities for enhancing your college experience.
► Join a student organization that is consistent with your interests. You
will find many organizations from which to choose.
► Join a club in your major. This cannot only help you in your studies but
can provide contacts that may be very useful in your future career.
► Join an intramural team. This is a great way to keep yourself in good
physical shape and make new friends.
► Attend social events. Your college experience should not be all work
and no play.
Yes - success in college takes effort. But this effort will provide benefits to
you throughout your life. The ideas presented above can help you to
make your college experience a successful one.