Appendix 7.6.Student Guide for Learning

Student Guide for Learning

  • Take responsibility for yourself. Attend class and pay attention. Set priorities and put first things first. Determine your highest productivity periods and places and then block out that time for studying. Postpone unnecessary tasks until after your assignments are complete. Tackle the toughest assignments first;you’ll be fresh and have more energy for the task.
  • Develop positive work habits. Set up an area for study that is away from distractions (no cell phones, texting, surfing the web). Be sure you have all of your materials and resources readily at hand.
  • Set goals. Conduct a daily and weekly review of your assignments, notes, and calendar of items that are long term or in the future. As you see upcoming events such astests, remember that you will need to re-adjust your schedule.
  • Find resources to help you. Perhaps you have a friend who can help you if you get stuck. Maybe you need a tutor. Learn how to use the internet wisely to swiftly get you to the answers you need;the school librarian can help you with this.
  • Make effective use of daily planners. Keep track of assignments in your planner. Create a work plan with due dates for long-term assignments. Block out time to prepare for upcoming tests and papers. Create simple to-do lists.
  • Manage your time. Become aware of how you currently use your time and consider how you can change the pattern to be more productive. Develop blocks of study time of about 50 minutes but then take a break. Get a snack, take out the garbage—something that makes you move. The best time to study lecture notes is as soon as possible after class; the best time to study reading notes is just before class.
  • Teach yourself the skills you need. Many skills will not be taughtdirectly in class. Assess what you need and then learn how to develop the skill. Understand and use academic vocabulary. Understand, develop, and apply mnemonic devices. Develop reading strategies such as text previewing. Learn to take notes in a new format (perhaps Cornell notes).
  • Make use of visual thinking. Create graphic organizers that will help you develop understanding as well as recall what you have learned.
  • Look to continually challenge yourself.