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Here are some tips to make sure you get
the grades you want. |
ESTABLISH
A STUDY ROUTINE
-
Prioritize your subjects. "I'll study math for
an hour and then..."
- Distribute
your study time. Two 30-minute sessions may be better
than one 60-minute session.
- Study
at the best times of the day in a place that is comfortable
to you. Reduce background noise.
- When
exhaustion or boredom sets in, try changing subjects
OR pace the floor OR take a five-minute break.
- Find
a classmate to study with.
- Don't
waste time by listening to the radio or talking to
others while studying.
- Don't
wait to study until you're in the mood-it may never
come!
LEARN
INSTRUCTORS' POLICIES
-
Be observant and recognize differences between individual
instructors.
- Learn
what each of your instructors expects from you in
class:
What is the instructor's policy on tardies and absences?
Can
missed tests be made up? If so, when and where?
Are
there deadlines for work to be handed in?
Is
a paper required for class? If so, does it have
a particular format and must be typed?
Is
outside reading required?
-
Find out the location of your instructor's office
and his/her office phone number.
If you have a concern, make an appointment with your
instructor.
Don't ask the instructor personal questions or for
special favors, special treatment or to skip an exam.
LEARN EFFECTIVE NOTETAKING
- Use
a three-ring, loose-leaf notebook. Have tabs for each
subject and start each new topic on a new page. Add,
change or discard pages.
-
Listen to the instructor and take notes on major points.
Concentrate on listening, not on note-taking. Don't
write every word being said. More is not always better.
- Take
notes in your own words if possible.
- Invent
your own shorthand and add words as you go along.
- Review
notes night after class; fill in missing details.
- After
a test, evaluate notes and change them if necessary.
LEARN PROPER CLASS BEHAVIOR
-
Come to class on time and don't leave early.
- Come
prepared with notebook, pencil, pen, answer sheets
for tests etc.
- Stay
"tuned in" to the instructor for the entire
class.
- Participate
in class discussions and ask questions.
- Hand
your work in on time.
- Keep
records of all work completed.
USE TEXTBOOKS PROPERLY
-
Read ahead before the class: *Skim over the chapter.
Look at the chapter outlines, headings, new words
etc.
- During
the class:
Underline key words and phrases but no more than 10%
of the chapter. Write notes in the margin of the book.
- After
class, read the chapter immediately.
Make up 10-20 questions. Close the book and answer
the questions. Change questions if necessary.
Try to apply what you've learned with family, friends,
coworkers etc.
LEARN HOW TO TAKE TESTS
- Reduce
your test anxiety. *Prepare for the test. There's
no substitute for knowing the material. *Make an appointment
with the instructor to discuss material you don't
understand.
- Before
a test, reread the text and study notes. *Use spring
boards and deep thinking "The important things
in this chapter are..."
Arrange a review quiz session with classmates.
-
During a test:
Start on tune and keep track of time.
Skip difficult questions; answer them later.
Ask the instructor to clarify a question if necessary.
For multiple choice questions: anticipate answers
before looking at options; read all options first;
watch for clues to answers in other questions; look
out for absolutes ('never-always" usually makes
statements false).
Don't read into questions, go by the words present.
If a test is making you tense, use desensitization:
think of something pleasant such as lying on a beach.
Switch back to the test. When you become uneasy again,
switch back to the scene.
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