#1

Organize Before Bad Habits Form

Establish a balanced life style including study, recreation, exercise, etc.

Set priorities. Studying gets priority over housework or part-time job.

Get it on paper - allot time to each activity and each subject to form a schedule.

Get advice, cooperation, and support from family.

Try your schedule for a week, then refine it.

Start modestly if you’re rusty and increase gradually to 20 hours per week.

50 to 90 minute study periods (shorter if concentration is poor) and timed breaks.

Reward yourself frequently.

#2

Find a Good Study Environment

Avoid distractions and temptations. Your neighbourhood library is a good place.

Select a cool temperature.

Have good lighting.

Sit upright at a desk.

#3

Take Good Notes in Class

Read related text book material prior to the lecture.

Take notes at a comfortable speed.

Reduce information to point form and short phrases.

Develop your own shorthand and abbreviations.

Soon after class fill in gaps and check spelling.

Ask questions in class when confused.

#4

Study for Depth of Understanding and Good Recall

Structure and organize material.

Note author’s or teacher’s organization and themes.

Reduce material to essentials by underlining, outlining, summarizing, or listing new terms and their definitions.

Put subject matter in your own words.

Relate or associate new material to:

Previously learned material, labs, fieldwork, concrete situations, something that is easy to remember, e.g., a formula, phrase, rhyme, word, etc.

Recite the material from memory to be sure you know it and move it into long term memory.

#5

Review study material periodically

Once a day review, recall, and integrate that day’s material.

Review each subject at least once a month.

Condense and further integrate your notes during review.

Review prior to tests, but don’t cram.

#6

Start Preparing for tests at the start of the term

Doing homework and attending class regularly are the best preparations for tests.

Listen for clues the teacher gives as to what might be on tests.

Ask what type of test you’ll have.

Study in detail and for understanding for multiple choice tests.

For essay tests integrate and organize material around themes. Outline answers to possible questions and commit to memory.

For fill-in-the-blank and short answer tests, study in detail, particularly definitions, and commit to memory.

Start your review for tests early. Allocate time to sections of the subject matter. Establish review priorities. Usually lecture notes are most important.

Arrive early and well rested for a test. Read test instructions and questions carefully.

Allocate time to questions and pace yourself.

Learn from test results. Don’t be discouraged. It may take a test or two to know what to expect.

#7

Manage your test anxiety – don’t panic

Some anxiety is normal and can increase motivation and alertness.

If you have little time for review, select the most important material for review and work at a pace at which you can absorb the material.

Think constructively: “I’m going to do my best, that is all I can do.” Push negative thoughts out of your mind.

Reduce anxiety by slowing yourself down and pacing yourself.

Use muscle relaxation exercises to reduce physical tension.

Stop your mind from spinning by repeating the word relax to yourself or focus on your breathing.

Warning!

You’ll lose in the study game if you procrastinate or try to become a “superstudent” overnight.

Select one or two of these suggestions in this brochure to implement today. When you have successfully done so, implement another, and so on.