STUDY SKILLS Presented by Bui Thi Khoi Nguyen

STUDY SKILLS Presented by Bui Thi Khoi Nguyen October 12, 2008

HOW TO SUCCEED IN COLLEGE? 1) Have Clear Goals 2) Stay Physically and Emotionally Healthy 3) Choose a Professor Carefully 4) Make Good Use of the Library 5) Get Involved in Campus Life 6) Manage Your Money/ Your Time

QUESTIONS What are your own ideas about what a “skill” is and how study skills are developed? Do we need study skills?

DATA ANALYSIS • Statements: 1) We can study well without study skills. 2) Study skills are innate skills. 3) We need to be naturally clever if we want to get good study results.

OUTLINE DEFINITION COMPONENTS STRATEGIES EFFECTIVE STUDY SKILLS PLANS STUDYING TIPS

I. DEFINITION 1) A skill: is a learned activity - something that you can develop through practice and reflection. 2) Study skills: involve developing personal qualities such as awareness, commitment, determination, perseverance, selfmotivation, time management, positive thinking. Reference Source: “The Study Skills Handbook” by Stella Cottrell

II. COMPONENTS 1) Self-awareness and self- evaluation 2) Awareness of what is required 3) Methods, organization and strategies 4) Confidence and permission 5) Familiarity: Practice and habit Being “naturally clever”?

III. STRATEGIES FOR DEVELOPING YOUR STUDY SKILLS q Main steps: 1) Identifying your current skills and qualities. (Something you do well, difficulties you overcame, personal achievements…) 2) Evaluating your skills and setting priorities. 3) Practicing and monitoring your progress

C-R-E-A-M STRATEGY: (Creative- Reflective- Effective- Active- Motivated)

WHAT IS YOUR PREFERRED LEARNING STYLE? 1) Are you an Auditory Learner? Learn best with information presented in an auditory language format: reading aloud or talking things out. 2) Are you a Visual Learner? Learn best with information presented in a written language format or in another visual format such as pictures or diagrams, writing at chalkboard, clear handouts, and extensive use of an overhead projector. 3) Are you a Tactile Learner? Learn best in hands-on learning settings in which they can physically manipulate something in order to learn about it. Your learning style is your strength!

EFFECTIVE LEARNING v Examples of ineffective learning: a) Work when you are too tired to concentrate. b) Listen or read without questioning and challenging what you hear or read. c) Sit down to study but let your mind wander to other matters. d) Learn things off by heart without really understanding them.

e) Don’t ask for help when you need it. f) Don’t make connections between what you learn in different subject areas g) Don’t relate your study to real life. h) Worry that other people have taken far more notes than you. i) Lock yourself away to work solidly

EFFECTIVE STUDY SKILLS v"Practice doesn't make perfect; perfect practice makes perfect. " !!!! v. Developing creative and critical analytical thinking skills v. The SQ 3 R method: Survey, Question, Read, Recite, Review.

v Taking Notes v Managing the time v Studying in groups v Making and revising a schedule that meets your needs and saves time: Effective diary–keeping

EFFECTIVE DIARY-KEEPING: (a complete and updated record) - Write all study deadlines, exam dates, important days… - Write where, with whom each appointment or lecture is. - Add in very specific study tasks. - Schedule some free time to review what got missed. - Map the times to discuss, think, prepare for the subject.

Taking Notes 1) Get Ready to Take Notes (Before Class) 2) Take Notes (During Class) 3) Rewrite Your Notes (After Class)

STUDY GROUPS • 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.

• 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.

• 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.

Powerful Studying Tips • Study Space: avoid distractions/arrange items where you can reach them easily. • Study Habits: Prioritize and stick to it ! • Preparing for Class: use highlighter! • The Classroom: sit near the front of the class, Think! Writing down each word is a WASTE OF TIME, Don't be afraid to ask the teacher or friends. • Memory Strategies: we remember 90% of what we read, hear, see, say and do. (FLANAGAN(1997)) • Revision Strategies: • Test/Examination Taking: try the "memory dump" technique • •

REVISION STRATEGIES Have a revision mentality for the whole term: +clear, visual, colorful and memorable notes + review at regular intervals/don’t wait until the last minute! 2) Use time carefully: + draw up a revision timetable and priority organizer. 1)

3) Keep a positive mindset: See difficulties as challenges to devise new strategies. 4) Work with others: arrange revision sessions with friends 5) Ask for help 6) Use memory triggers 7) Record yourself answering questions. 8) Stay healthy

TAKING EXAMINATIONS 1) Objective Examinations: • Surveying • Knowing the Ground Rules: Always read directions! • Answering Easy Questions First • Picking out Key Words: Learn to spot the key words in the statement that define the meaning • Reading Multiple-Choice Questions: Eliminate obvious false choices • Reading Other Types of Questions: If you don't know the answer, give it your best guess!

2) Essay Examinations: Planning your time! • Follow directions • Choose the ones you know most about • Prepare an outline of your answers: do a "memory-dump. " • Answering essay questions directly • Good handwriting • Pay attention to Grammar, punctuation, and spelling

THE D-E-T-E-R STRATEGY FOR TAKING TESTS • D = Directions • E = Examine • T = Time • E = Easiest • R = Review

IV. PERSONAL DEVELOPING PLANNING • Reflection: think deeply who you are, who you want to be, what you want, why you want it. . • Increasing self-awareness: of your strengths, inspirations, qualities, ambitions… • Finding opportunities and choices that broaden your perspective. • Taking personal responsibility: for your own education, choices and forward learning.

Developing a strategy to get where you want to be: targets, take action, develop skills, review position. YOUR WILLINGNESS TO WANT TO IMPROVE AND DO WELL IN SCHOOL. Work Smart, not hard!