Survival Skills
Study Tips
Listen carefully [more]- Take notes in class [more]
- Take part in class discussion [more]
- Budget your time wisely [more]
- Become a better reader [more]
- Prepare for exams [more]
Listen Carefully
- Move closer to the front
- Focus your attention
- Evaluate what you hear
- Take thorough notes
- Ask questions if you don’t understand something
Tips for Taking Notes in Class
Know what to record
- Record the speaker's main points in your own words. Don't try to write down everything that's said
- Listen for key words that tell you what's important ("The major cause was...," "The 4 main steps...," etc.)
- Copy all information written on the board
Review your notes as soon as you can after class
- Highlight the points that seem most important
- Go over your notes at least once a week. this helps keep information fresh in your mind
Attend every class!
You can't take notes if you're not present. It's not a good idea to rely on someone else's note taking.
Take Part in Class Discussion
- Be prepared
- Participate -- don't dominate
- Ask questions
- Summarize in your own words what's been said
- Respect other's opinions
- Be polite
Budget Your Time Wisely
Use a planning notebook or calendar
- Write down all your regular activities (classes, a part-time job, meals, practice with a team or musical group, etc.)
- Allow time for sleep, fun and fitness
- Schedule review time for before or after each class, if you can
- Try to study the same subject at the same time each day
- Plan time for exams and major projects. Break up these big jobs into small steps (1. find sources; 2. take notes; etc.)
Where you study is important, too
- Choose a quiet, well-lit place that's free of distractions (telephone, TV, etc.). The library is an ideal place to study
- Gather all the materials you need before you begin
- Try to study in the same place each day. Use that place for studying only
Become a Better Reader
Eliminate habits that can slow you down
- Don't move your lips, "say" words in your mind, or point your finger
- Train your eyes to take in larger groups of words with each glance
- Avoid backtracking
Adjust your speed to your purpose
- Skim material if you're looking for the answers to a specific question
- Slow down when you are reading technical material
Expand your vocabulary
- Use a dictionary to learn definitions, synonyms and antonyms
- Learn prefixes, suffixes, and roots of words. (Ask a librarian for books to help you)
- Use new words that you learn
Get help when you need it
- Enroll in a reading improvement course, if your school has one
- Check out speech-reading courses
Have a Reading Strategy
Before you read
Preview the material. For example, if you're assigned a chapter in a textbook, read:
- The chapter title and introduction
- Headings, subheadings, and topic sentences
- Boldfaced and italicized words
- The chapter summary and any review questions
As you read
- Pay special attention to main ideas and supporting details
- Examine graphs, charts and illustrations
- Evaluate the material. (Do you understand what you're reading? Does the material answer your questions about the subject?)
After you read
- Think about what you've learned. Sum up the material in your own words. This can make it easier to remember the material.
- Note any points you don't understand or any questions you’d like to as your instructor
Take Notes As You Read
- Underline or highlight key points
- Make an outline
- Write a summary in your own words
- Make a map
How to Prepare for Exams
- Ask your instructor what you can expect
- Look up copies of old exams, if possible
It's Exam Time
Objective tests
- Read the instructions carefully
- Scan the test quickly to find out how much time you can spend on each section or question
- Answer the easy questions first, then the hard ones
- Pay close attention to all qualifiers ("usually," "none," "always," etc.)
- Write neatly
- Read all the answers carefully before you choose one (for multiple choice questions)
Essay tests
- Read through the test. Decide how much time you'll have for each question
- Read each question carefully. Note key words, such as "discuss," "explain" and "compare"
- Briefly outline the major points you intend to cover
- Use facts and specific examples to support your answers
- Proofread your essays
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