As individuals we all
learn differently, for example some of us learn
better visually while
others need both audiovisual aids.
This guide will only
give suggestions, in no particular order, about how you
can better your learning
and/or studying skills.
This is by no means
conclusive and if these suggestions do not work for you;
try something else, ask
for other
suggestions, and/or
research other ideas.
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For Other Ideas, Help, Tutoring or Suggestions,
Select and Contact an Educator
Taking notes in class is one of the
most effective ways to understand the material being presented in class. Unless
you have a photographic mind, you will need to learn this important skill.
1. Come to class prepared. Always bring enough paper and a
writing instrument of your choice to class.
2. Start a new page for each new class. Also, put the date on the
top of the first page. This way you will know where the notes for each class
begin, which will help you keep the material organized. Consider keeping
your
notes organized in their own binder.
3. Don’t try to write down every word your teacher says. You will
not be able to, even if you can write very fast. More importantly, in trying to
do so, you will miss the overall point your teacher is trying to make.
4. Write down the big ideas. Listen for facts, connections, and
main ideas. This may take a while to get used to, because you will need to
divide your attention between listening to the teacher (or other students) and
writing your
notes. Don’t get
frustrated. In time, this will become easier.
5. Use abbreviations for commonly occurring names and words. You
can develop your own abbreviations, as long as you don’t forget what they stand
for. For example, in a lecture on Einstein, you might write his name out
the first time, and then abbreviate it as
"E" throughout the rest of your notes. Long words such as endoplasmic
reticulum can become "ER". Develop your own system and stick to it,
once it works.
6. Leave lots of room on the page. When writing, leave ample
space between ideas. This is like pausing before you begin a new sentence. Your
notes will much easier to read, and you’ll have space to add information later
on, if
needed. Don’t
try to cram everything onto one piece of paper.
7. Use diagrams and pictures where necessary. Sometimes it is
helpful to draw pictures that illustrate the connections between ideas,
sequences, or events. Don’t be afraid to draw pictures that will help you
understand
the material.
8. Write down corresponding page numbers from your textbook. Teachers
often use the textbook to refer to ideas you’re learning in class. Recording
the page number of corresponding ideas and homework assignments can
come in handy later on.
9. Review your notes for accuracy. It’s a good idea to look over
your notes sometime after class for accuracy and completeness. Consider doing
this just before doing your homework to get yourself back in the mindset of the
material.
10. Obtain notes for missed
classes. Sometimes it’s necessary to miss class, but that shouldn’t stop
you from getting notes for it. Consider forming a partnership with another
student at the beginning of class on whom you can rely
(and who can rely on you) for notes when
a class is missed. Your teacher may also be willing to share his or her notes
with you.
You can improve your performance in
classes by ensuring that homework is understood and completed.
1. Find an appropriate and
consistent environment for study. This place should be quiet, and have
adequate lighting and a desk or writing surface. If possible, use this place as
a study area exclusively. Avoid distractions
such as TV, stereo, cell phone, internet, video games, etc.
2. Set up a routine. Set up a homework routine for the
same time daily, if possible. This will let your parents know that you have expectations with regards to homework.
It will also help you develop a
habit of completing
schoolwork at the same time and place daily.
3. Have your parents help prepare
an area for work. Stock your
homework center with the appropriate supplies, such as a dictionary, thesaurus, textbooks, pencils, paper,
calculators, etc.
4. Set little goals for yourself. Set short-range goals prior to beginning
homework. For example, "1) Review the concept of slope, 2)
Complete the assigned math homework, and 3) Write a thesis statement for my
essay." Take
short breaks between assignments for different classes.
5. Get organized and don’t
procrastinate. Use of a
daily planner and find someone to demonstrate how to use it to organize assignments, extra-curricular
activities, and other commitments. Keep a three-ring notebook for each
subject taken.
6. Monitor your own progress. Touch base with your teacher and make
sure you have completed all the work. Try keeping your own grades in a
notebook. Be aware of what needs
to be accomplished each night and check to see
that it is done, if necessary. Avoid having your parents or teachers
having to hover over you throughout the year.
7. Confirm that your homework is or was done correctly. Don’t wait until class starts,
go ask your teacher for help well before class so that you and your teacher can
discuss your answers appropriately.
If you were to prepare for a test
the way you might prepare for a big game, you’d probably make a game plan. OK,
so the test probably isn’t nearly as much fun as a game, but your goal is the
same; develop a plan to win. Being a “bad” test taker is not an excuse to do
not do well. Often poor test takes don’t
prepare or prepare correctly to take an exam.
Before
the Exam: (see General Study Hints and Guides)
1. Prepare for the exam by studying for the type of exam given.
If it is a multiple choice exam, create flash cards that help you memorize the
material. If you must write an essay; create outlines that help you see the
relationships
in the material.
2. Don’t wait until the night of the exam. Studies show that reviewing the material on a
daily or every other day bases will help you retain the information better.
Waiting to study 2-3 weeks of material the night before an exam
can develop anxiety. Plus, you won’t have the
opportunity to talk to your teacher about concepts or terms that you’re unclear
about. “Cramming” usually does not help
with your long term memory.
3. Take advantage of the
teacher’s tutoring or study sessions. Getting one on one instruction can make a world of difference and going
to study sessions may help narrow down the information to be tested. Proper
preparation may
help reduce anxiety.
4. Get a good night’s rest prior to the test day. Also, eat a
healthy breakfast or lunch on the day of the exam (don’t over-eat!).
When
You Begin:
1. Take a deep breath to relax.
Anxiety may reduce your confidence and be an obstacle to doing your best.
2. Preview the whole test briefly before you begin. This will
help get you warmed up to take the exam and allow you to note the way the exam
is organized.
3. Find out how much time you have to take the test and how much each
section is worth. Allocate your time
accordingly. Don’t spend the whole test on a section that is worth say only 10 points if the exam is worth 120
points.
4. Read the directions for each section.
During
the Test:
1. Always read the directions before you work on a section. By
reading the directions, it will allow you to make clear decision on what to do
and how to do them. Look for key words
such as “and”, “or”, “explain”; a lot of times
these words are used to add a second or third part to the question.
Failing to read directions can cause you to completely misjudge what the test
is asking.
2. Ask your instructor to explain directions you don’t understand.
It is also important to mention that if a question is unclear; ask your
instructor to clarify if they can.
3. Divide and conquer! Answer
the easy questions first to build confidence. This will also allow you to rack
up as many points as possible right from the start. However, always be sure to
mark the questions you don’t answer right
away so you can go back to them.
4. Pace yourself. Check the
time to make sure you’re pacing yourself appropriately.
5. When in doubt, guess. You
at least have a chance that you might guess correctly. “Never” leave a question
unanswered even if you have to guess, it might be correct or earn you at least
a few points. An unanswered
question will be a “zero”.
6. Don’t let others distract
you. Focus only on your own exam. If others are writing and you aren’t,
don’t panic. If others finish before you do, try not to get nervous.
7. Use any extra time to first make sure you’ve answered all the
questions. Then, go over the more difficult questions and read them a
second time. Read essays carefully for accuracy first and
grammar second.
8. Don’t change
your initial answer unless you have a good reason to do so; research
indicates that 3 out of 4 times a first choice was probably correct.
Everyone learns differently, some
more than others. Some don’t have to
study, some know that they have to study, and some are not sure how to study.
You have to find out what works for you, now and in your future endeavors. Remember, not all ideas work and you may have
to find new or try other ideas to suit your own needs.
1. Don’t be absent
from class and be attentive while is class. Attendance is very important
because it allows you to stay on top of assignments, information, lectures,
activities, exams, projects, etc. Get good night rests and eating healthy
helps. Ask questions and participating in class will
keep the lesson more interesting.
2. Be prepared before going to
class. Have all necessary materials for class such as; pencils/pens, paper,
folders, texts, and assignments. Try your best to stay organized.
3. Correctly do the class work
that is assigned to you. Keeping up with daily reading and work assignments
will prevent you from falling behind and having to constantly be catching up.
By doing the work it will keep you on
your toes in the event the teacher asks
you a question or gives a quiz. Plus, this allows you to ask the teacher
questions if something is unclear instead of waiting the night before a test
when you wouldn’t have the opportunity to ask
the question(s).
Also, understand not everything is graded, the works you do is to help you in
the long run (ie chapter exam).
4. Write it all down during
lecture. Take good notes (never recopy), make note cards, and write down
questions and ask them as soon as possible.
If you “doodle” in your notes, it’s alright, the picture might remind
you of a
concept during an
exam.
5. Attend study sessions if they
are offered. Either class sessions or classmate sessions. You may have forgotten something or you may
have a question that someone at the session can answer.
6. Communicate with your teacher. For whatever reason you’re not sure of a
concept, assignment, lesson, etc…; go talk to your teacher. Schedule a time to meet for tutoring,
teachers are happy to meet your needs if you’re
sincere and
independently responsible for your studies. Remember the teacher general
teaches to 25 brains in the classroom, if they can focus on just 1 brain
(yours) the process of helping is a lot easier for both participants.
7. Manage your time. For example, even though an assignment was
not given in class take some time (10 min., 20 min., 30 min., etc...) to review
what you went over that day. This will
generate questions that you can ask the
teacher the next day and/or make you
more familiar with the material so that studying for the test will not be a
totally new experience. Don't procrastinate and get assignments done,
study for the test early; if you have any
questions ask them now. Study “nearly” every
day. Don’t wait until the
“night of”.
8. Know the vocabulary in order
to speak the topic. A lot of times, certain subjects are like (or are) a
foreign language. In order to speak the language to have to
know the terms. Daily review, relating personal experiences
or the use of analogies can help.
9. Try teaching others.
Sometimes you learn if you teach it.
While studying for a quiz or test; literally try teaching the topic to a
friend or family member. “Discuss” with them what you've learned and even try
asking them
questions. Review the answers with them while looking at
your notes or text. In other words, you be the teacher. This can help reduce
anxiety or embarrassment because you’ve been in the class and have all the
answers.
10. Don’t try to multitask. Being distracted by TV, cell phones, electronic
games, lyrical music, internet, etc… can actually cause you not to concentrate
and focus on your studies. Find a quiet area to study without being
bothered by outside
influences. After you study, then
reward yourself with music, TV, texting, internet, etc…
11. Only study items that you
don’t understand. There is really no
need to study items or concepts that you’re already familiar with. It takes extra time and can give you a false
sense of security that you know all the
information. Concentrate on what you don’t know.
12. Try memory techniques. Use mnemonics, chunking, or the “memory
palace”. (see link on Memory)
Young people are developing
emotionally, intellectually, and physically. Parents can help their child be
successful students by encouraging them in the following suggested ways:
1. Create a quiet space for homework to be
completed. A place free from disruption and
fully stocked with supplies is ideal. Do not have your child multi-task by
studying “and” listening to music, texting, watching TV.
2. Communicate with your child. Ask about their homework, and what large projects and tests are upcoming. Also, stay in touch with school. Attend
parent-teacher conferences, ask for periodical updates
on your child’s progress
by contacting the school or educator, be
involved with activities at the school. Show an interest in your child’s
education.
3. Play with your child. Your child should be a best
friend of-a-sorts. Do some things that they like to do even though you
rather do something else and put time aside to be with them and/or their school
friends. By doing so,
you’ll develop a bond and get to know your
child’s lifestyle.
4. Remember that intrinsic motivation
leads to greater creativity. Allow your child to
try a variety of activities (clubs, sports, activities) in order to find their
true interests.
5. Encourage your child to keep trying
when faced with a challenge. Remind your
child that teachers and counselors are available to provide extra help both
academically or emotionally. Do not belittle topics such as
math or writing because your child is
having difficulty with the topics.
6. Tell your child to seek help
if they need it. Teachers are happy
to meet student request for tutoring or mentoring. Often, a one-on-one meeting can make a world
of difference in learning due to the individual
attention. Teachers can set up times for
tutoring (ie. just before an exam) in accordance to the students schedule for
more flexibility.
7. Encourage your child to read. If your child wants to improve their scores on standardized
tests, reading helps. The best way to improve reading comprehension and
vocabulary is to read a lot.
8. Help your child to set realistic goals
and work toward them systematically. Also,
no matter what the goal (making a sports team, improving academic grades, or
learning a new skill) remind children that the journey is as
important as attaining
the goal.
9. Help with their understanding. Be there to assist them with their homework or
studying. If the subject is unclear, ask
your child to explain the topic, communicate with the teacher (phone, email,
notes) to help
understand the concept, or even use
online internet resources.
10. Praise
your adolescent for their contributions to family, school, and community. This conveys a belief in their accomplishments and helps to
build a positive self-image.
11. Participate in parent conferences. It is interesting that parents
and guardians stream to parent conferences, meetings, PTO’s, etc… while their
child is in elementary or middle school; however, once the child is in high
school that participation stops. Is it because parents are getting tired,
parents are overwhelmed, parents are making their
child more responsible for their actions?
Never the excuse, a representative from the family should
always attend conferences to primarily
stay in communication with the teacher.
From elementary to high school (and perhaps after graduation), children
still need some form of guidance and support.
12. Be aware of the bad habits. Children today have a lot of
opportunity to develop habits that are counter- productive if taken to the
extreme: ie. poor diets, lack of exercise, video gaming, TV, late nights,
etc… It is tough
to manage such habits, but don’t give up
trying to lower or totally avoid lifestyles that can distract from their
studies and future plans.
You Only Fail if
You Give Up Trying
References
Guides and
suggestive information for students, teachers, and parents. Retrieved from http://www.glencoe.com
How parent can help
their middle or high school child. Retrieved from http://www.
teachervision.fen.com