Successful Student Strategies

Office of Adaptive Services

Cori Bright, M.Ed

Florida Gulf Coast University

Table of Contents

Time Management……………………………………………………..…. 3

Note Taking………………………………………………………...……… 5

Exams………………………………………………………………………. 8

Reading……………………………………………...……………….…… 13

Writing a Research Paper. ……………………………………………. 15

*Based off of information from College Learning and Study Skills, 6th edition by Debbie Guice Longman and Rhonda Holt Atkinson (2002).

Time Management

Academic Planner

  1. Purchase a calendar or date book
  2. Look at the syllabi. Circle the assignment and project due dates and highlight the testing dates
  3. Write the assignments, projects and tests on the corresponding dates on the calendar. Color code the calendar for each assignment, project and test. For example, write assignments in blue, projects in green and tests in red
  4. Post the calendar in a visible spot in your primary study area

Academic Social Engagements

  1. Use the academic planner
  2. Choose a separate color to write each social engagement on the corresponding date
  3. Highlight those dates which have two or more important activities (ex: Student Government meeting and Psychology exam)

Daily Lists

  1. On a sheet of paper, write down all of the activities and responsibilities for that particular day and mark each activity according to its level of importance, for example, the most important is 1, next importance is 2, etc.
  2. Add a time frame to each activity, ex: homework 2 hours, eat dinner 30 minutes, etc.
  3. At the top of the sheet of paper, write down the time frame that you have available to complete the needed tasks, i.e. 9am-11:30, 2pm-5pm, 10pm-12am
  4. On a separate sheet of paper, write down each activity and responsibility in order, starting with the most important
  5. On the left hand margin of the paper, write the exact time allotted to the activity, for example, if homework takes two hours, then you will start the homework at 9am and complete it at 11am. If eating dinner takes 30 minutes, then you will start eating at 4:30pm and finish at 5pm
  6. Write the day and date and the top of the paper
  • each daily list should be written the day before the activities are to be completed. Weekly lists can also be done instead of the daily lists and should be written and the start of each week.

Study Time

  1. Determine the amount of time that it will take to complete each assignment and/or study time
  2. Locate a low distraction area that is conducive to studying
  3. Turn off the TV, radio, etc
  4. Commit to completing the necessary assignments/studying (if you plan on reading a chapter for science class and finishing math homework, then commit to completing both tasks)
  5. Take breaks-----watch TV, listen to the radio, call a friend, do the laundry, etc
  6. Get “closure”----feel as though you have adequately completed those tasks that you set out to complete

Long-term Projects and Reports

  1. Note when the project or report is due on your academic planner
  2. Look at all of the requirements for the project and “break down” into smaller sections (for example, if the project is to write a research paper on native African animals, start by listing the animals that you already know are native to Africa. Then, start looking on the internet for other types of animals)
  3. Start the project EARLY! Even if the due date is not until the end of the semester, start working on it NOW
  4. Set goals for when each piece of the project is to be completed (for example, by the end of week 1, you will have a list of all of the animals native to Africa. By the end of week 4, you will have information about each animal. By the end of week 8, you will have all of the elements of the report completed. One week before the due date, you will have a rough draft of the paper completed)
  5. Make sure that you have included all requirements in your paper.
  6. Use friends, peers, and others to read your paper for content, organization and understanding. Let these individuals help you by filling in the holes and other unclear sections.

Procrastination

Procrastination is the “putting off” of important, required responsibilities. Most college students do procrastinate, especially when they have something to do that they find difficult or time consuming. Waiting until the last minute to complete required work is the worst form of procrastination. Often times, students who do this do not perform well on that particular assignment or test and this poor performance tends to perpetuate future procrastination techniques. Working on assignments, projects and studying every day is the best way to beat the procrastination bug. Spending small amounts of time on large projects will help your mind stay clear and focused and give you a better chance of a successful performance.

Personal Social Engagements

Attending college is not just about academics. Meeting new people and going to movies, clubs and other social activities is a big part of the college experience. However, it is important to manage these activities appropriately. Hanging out with friends should be done when all other responsibilities are completed or under control. Making sure that you have studied for a test, worked on a project and completed the necessary assignments not only will keep you on top of your academic responsibilities, but it will also allow you to spend time with your friends and enjoy that time, without worrying about what you still have left to do.

Note Taking

Active Listening

Active listening is the ability to obtain information for a specific purpose. In college, students obtain information from lectures for the specific purpose of gaining knowledge about the particular course and subsequent successful completion of that course. Active listening is a skill that can be mastered through the use of different techniques. All of these techniques are methods of note taking.

Chapter Map

  1. Take a sheet of paper, turn it horizontally and write the chapter name and number at the top.
  2. Write the first major heading on the top left corner
  3. Place the secondary headings under the major heading with lines connecting them according to their relationship
  4. Place the next level headings underneath the secondary headings
  5. Continue the pattern until you come to the next major heading
  6. Put the next major heading next to the first major heading
  7. Repeat the process until the chapter is finished

Responding to the speaker

  1. Listen to the information from the speaker, making sure to write down the main points, questions, etc.
  2. Ask the speaker to clarify points that are unclear
  3. Take the information that you hear and attach it to a continuum. For example, do you agree with what was said? Do you have a personal experience that can be attached to the main points? Can you draw a conclusion? Can you relate this new information to information that you already know? Can you put this information into your own words?
  4. Make sure you understand the main points of a particular topic before moving on to another topic

Factors affecting active listening

  1. Concentration: Limit the amount of external and internal distractions during lecture times. Close the window, sit at the front of the room, clear your mind of everything except the particular class that you are in.
  2. Main ideas: Be sure that you can pick out the main ideas of the lecture and differentiate between the main ideas and the details. Understand the patterns of lectures and where the main ideas and details are found. For example, lectures will have an introduction and summary, sequence of events, compare and contrast, cause and effect or problem and solution and subject development.
  3. Important information: Make sure that you write down any information that the instructor emphasizes. This information is almost always very important and needs to be known for tests, quizzes and assignments.
  4. Recall: Often, lectures are given in a sequential manner. What is learned in the first lecture will be needed to understand the last. Make sure that you can recall the information from each lecture and that you can put each lecture into your own words.

Outlines

  1. Take a piece of paper and write the topic of the lecture and the date of the lecture on the top
  2. Write the main idea of the lectures as roman numerals
  3. Under each main idea, write the supporting ideas using normal numeric codes
  4. Under each supporting idea, write the details using letters
  5. At the end of the lecture, write a summary in your own words about the lecture

Cornell System

  1. Record: Take a piece of paper and draw a line about 2.5 inches from the left hand side. This will be the recall column. On the right hand side of the paper, write in outline or paragraph form as much information that you find important
  2. Reduce: As soon as you can after class, the reduce the information written and re-write it in the left hand column, using categories, similarities, differences or relationships.
  3. Recite: Cover your notes on the right hand side of the paper and try to say what’s in them in your own words, using the recall section to help your memory. Then, uncover the notes and check for accuracy.
  4. Reflect: Re-read your notes, adding information from your text and other sources. Use these notes to draw conclusions and generalizations from the lecture.
  5. Review: Briefly review these notes every day in order to keep the information fresh and help you retain what you have learned.

Visual graphics

  1. Timeline: Use timelines for information that is in a linear or time order. This graphic is useful in learning the process of a particular idea or event.
  2. Flowchart: Use flowcharts for ideas or events that have multiple steps or connections.
  3. Tables: Use tables for ideas or events that have a comparing or contrasting relationship.
  4. Synthesis maps: These maps are much like chapter maps, as previously described. Use synthesis maps for class lectures, discussions, group work and other forms of lectures.

Tape recording lectures

Tape recording lectures can be useful for filling in gaps in your notes. However, tape recording lectures should NOT be an alternative to taking notes. While you are taping the lecture, continue taking notes using one or more of the techniques already described. Then, as soon as you can after class, listen to the lecture again to fill in any gaps from your notes. It is recommended that you keep the lectures on tape throughout the semester so that you can always go back and listen to a particular lecture again. Label each tape with the course name and number, the date of the lecture and the topic of the lecture.

Updating notes

It is always important to update your notes periodically. As mentioned before, lectures typically build on each other and the information learned in the first lecture will be needed for understanding the last. As you gain more information throughout the semester, continuously take this information and compare and contrast the preceding ideas.

Exams

College exams are often made up of many types and some are a multitude of types. Whether they are multiple choice, true-false, short answer or essay, exams are often the main deciding factor in a student’s grade. Some exams are even comprehensive in nature and test students’ understanding of an entire semester’s work. Knowing how to look at, take and complete exams will help the student prove his or her understanding of the material and successfully complete the course.

General Steps

  1. Bring the necessary materials to the test
  2. Be at class on time
  3. Jot down any important information that you are trying to remember as soon as you get your test paper, i.e. formulas, definitions, etc
  4. Preview the test. Locate multiple choice questions, true-false questions, essay questions, etc. Estimate how much time you have to spend on each question, giving the questions with the most credit more time.
  5. Read all of the directions slowly and carefully
  6. Answer those questions that you know first
  7. Mark difficult questions, or those questions that you are unsure of, and go back to them once you have answered all of the questions that you know.
  8. Answer every question, especially if you are given credit for partial answers
  9. Keep your answers as neat and legible as possible
  10. Work at your own pace and do not worry about when other students are finishing
  11. If there is still time at the end of the test, go back and review your answers
  12. Your first instinct is always the best. However, use the information from the rest of the test to possibly alter some of your answers, if needed.
  13. DO NOT over-analyze a question. Carefully read the questions and respond with what the question is asking. Over-analyzing will keep you from answering what you know.

PORPE

  1. Predict: Predict information that will be on the test, based on quizzes, assignments, notes, etc.
  2. Organize: Organize the information from your predictions according to test format (i.e. essay, short answer, true-false, etc), source (textbooks, notes) and method (outline, map, summary).
  3. Rehearse: Put the information into memory by using mnemonic devices, going to study groups, using flash cards, etc.
  4. Practice: Practice writing your answers from memory to the questions that you predicted would be on the test
  5. Evaluate: Look at the quality of your answers and ask yourself questions such as Did I answer the question that was asked? Was my answer well organized? Did I include all essential information? Did I use supporting and detailed points?

Essay Exams

  1. Read the question slowly and carefully
  2. Determine in what way the question should be answered. For example, is the question looking for chronological order, cause and effect, generalizations, etc?
  3. Jot down important information that you want to include. Locate the main points and the supporting points of your response.
  4. Make sure that you have an introduction, body and conclusion
  5. Check your answer for organization, clarity, completeness and legibility
  6. Make sure that you answered the entire question, and not just parts of it. In cases where there is partial credit, answer those parts that you know as accurately and completely as possible.
  7. If there is still time available, go back and re-read your response making sure that you have answered the question to the best of your ability.

Short-Answer

  1. Read the statement slowly and carefully
  2. Determine what the statement is looking for, i.e. a name, object, phrase, etc
  3. Jot down any possible answers, or parts of possible answers
  4. Write in the answer using the thoughts that were written down
  5. In cases where there are multiple short answer statements, complete those that you know and use those to help jog your memory for the more difficult statements.

Open-Book

  1. Familiarize yourself with the text and mark pages that deal with main points and specific information
  2. Keep your notes organized and mark them in the same way as your text
  3. Highlight or take notes on important details
  4. Use the table of contents and the index in order to locate information quickly
  5. Paraphrase information and do not answer word for word from your text, unless you are asked to specify a quote or source.
  6. Use other test-taking strategies that apply

Take-Home

  1. Read the test questions slowly and carefully
  2. Use all applicable sources to complete the test
  3. Pay particular attention to organization, writing clarity, completeness and specific details
  4. DO NOT PROCRASTINATE. Due dates are often not extended on take-home exams.
  5. Review your answers and make sure that you have answered the question(s) completely and accurately

POSSE

  1. Plan: Determine what information will be on the test based on important points from lectures, the text, notes, appropriate hand-outs, etc
  2. Organize: Organize the information according to topics, main points, supporting points, etc. Also, organize your study time such as location, time, study groups, etc.
  3. Schedule: Construct a time schedule of when, where and how you will study. For example, what time of day, will you study in the library or at home, will you use a study group, review notes, re-read the book?
  4. Study: Study the necessary material, continually asking yourself whether or not you are studying actively, efficiently, following your schedule and distributing your time wisely.
  5. Evaluate: Evaluate your study success after the exam is returned. Notice patterns that emerge, the types of questions that you missed, why you missed them and what changes in your study schedule do you need to make to avoid the errors made on this exam.

Multiple-Choice Exams

  1. Skip the question and go on if you don’t know the answer. Sometimes, you can find clues in other questions and answers.
  2. Pay attention to the longer choices. These are often correct. More complete information is found in these answers and will often times, correctly answer the question.
  3. Read questions carefully and note words such as “not” and “except”. These words can completely change the meaning and will help eliminate wrong answers.
  4. Attractive distractors are almost always incorrect. These are like words to the word needing to be defined. For example, if you are asked to define the word Illusion, answers such as Allusion, Elusive, and Illustration are words that look similar, but have different meanings. The correct answer will explain the word being asked.
  5. Determine what the answer is NOT. If you don’t know the answer right away, determine the obvious wrong answers. Eliminate silly choices and use common sense.
  6. Watch for responses that are much the same. Typically, the one answer that does not match the main ideas in the others is the correct response.
  7. Analyze and make decisions using what you know. You may not know what the correct answer is at first glance, but use what you know about all of the responses to make a common sense decision.

True-False Exams

  1. Look for words that determine limits. Some, Few, Often, Many and Frequently are words that place limitations and are often better choices. Words like Always,None, Never, Every and All do not place limitations and should be viewed more closely.
  2. Watch for double negatives. For example, two negative words in a sentence indicate a positive relationship.

Matching Exams