Study skills and hints

o  Keep your work organized; a binder with dividers or a folder with pockets can be used to collect your work.

·  An area for notes, another for homework, one for handouts, one for quizzes and tests, etc.

·  All of unit one together, then unit 2….. is another possible set up.

·  Newest stuff on top so they can see it/study it – or -- in chronological order and they will need to study the papers in the back.

o  Study multiple times; 15 - 30, even just 10 minutes, every day usually works better than trying to do hours the night before.

·  In HS you have usually reached a level where tests cover several chapters. It is not a good idea to try to read many chapters the night before the test.

·  IT IS A VERY GOOD IDEA TO READ THE TEXT BOOK

·  Re-read your notes, read the text section that is related to the notes, re-copy your notes, type up your notes, make a list of things you didn’t understand during class, etc – all good ways to spend those few minutes.

·  Routines are helpful – but be flexible too.

Learning is an opportunity, not a punishment.

·  Use seminar to your advantage…get a pass to the class that you’re have difficulty with and ASK QUESTIONS!

o  Try to think positive and not to panic

·  It’s silly to dwell on how much you don’t know or have to learn. Focus instead on what you know – list everything you know, then add a detail to each item, use your notes if you need to, use the book if you need to – grow your knowledge/memory.

·  Regarding routines, PLAN AHEAD, if you know you have a soccer game Thursday and a big test Friday, study on Wednesday night, so you only have to review on Thursday.

·  Many text books are now online and you could actually have it read to you while you are riding in the car (passengerJ ) or riding on the bus to an event.

·  Don’t settle for “I’m a poor test taker” – tests are not going to stop anytime soon (drivers test, certification tests, etc will continue for the rest of your adult life) – YOU NEED TO FIND WAYS TO BE A BETTER TEST TAKER !

·  Now is the time to learn how to study.

·  Try a variety of study methods and keep track of which ones work for you and which ones don’t seem to help ( or take too much time relative to their results)

o  Use a variety of techniques – these are some suggestions, YOU know if you like quiet study areas or verbal formats or repetitive things and should try several methods – some will be a definite yes or no depending on your personality. You won’t possibly have time to do all of these. Some methods will work well for one subject but there may be better/other methods for other classes.

·  Flash cards – don’t just write them, don’t just flip through them, honestly quiz your self, shuffle them often. Also try sorting them into groups that are ‘opposites’, ‘parts’, ‘sequences’, etc.

·  Re-write notes, type them, record them.

·  Read your book to someone, give your self a ‘lecture’, read aloud, have some one read the book to you.

·  If you print notes from website – explain points in the margins, highlight the vocab., circle the definitions or the answers to the section objective questions, add your own notes/examples.

·  Answer the objective questions or the pre and post questions that are in the text book, look for the answers within your notes.

·  Outline chapters

·  Write out vocab. 3-5 X each. Complete one term then move on to the next one., the same with formulas (or molecules) you need to memorize.

·  Study with a friend/friends – provided you can focus. Quiz each other. motivate each other, play competitive games like jeopardy or quiz bowl, see who can list the most facts. It’s possible you could do this online.

·  Turn your notes into pictures. These can be technical ‘webs’ or flow charts or they can be an image of everything you need to remember.

·  Make up sentences or songs for ideas that are a list or a series, especially if they need to be in order. Keep it simple.

Other things you’ve tried….. and the time invested and the results

Study method / Subject / Time / results

o  Test taking hints

·  Read the whole question. – what is the question asking, AND what are the possible choices.

·  Read the question carefully. Look for words like ‘all’ or ‘not’ that may eliminate choices.

·  If you can write on the test, underline key words, mark questions you want to return to…. Go with your first instinct.

·  Look through MC for opposites, similarities – this may help you eliminate choices.

·  Eliminate choices that are wrong

·  List/outline ideas for essay questions in the margin, then turn each idea into a sentence or two. The list will make sure you mention everything, keep facts in order, etc.

·  Go back to MC to look for essay reminders like vocab words

·  Complete sentences and correct spelling will help, if the teacher doesn’t ‘get lost’ or need to ‘re-read’ your answer multiple times, its easier for them to find all your points.

·  Be very clear in essays. Phrases like “they are alike because it has green pigment…” is a poor answer because we don’t know who “IT” is.

·  Spelling of important terms and writing with complete sentences both make your points clearer to the grader.

·  Note how many points each question is worth.

If a question is worth 5 points, try to make 5 statements in your answer.

Spend more time on the 10 point question than the 3 point question.

·  Answer as much as you can for EACH question – don’t leave anything blank.

Other suggestions –

Method / skill / Subject / Question type / results

Compiled by B. Rhodes and M. Mahar, GLHS, May 2009