As
individuals we all learn differently, for example some of us learn
better
visually while others need both audiovisual aids.
This
guide will only give suggestions, in no particular order, about how you
can
better your learning and/or studying skills.
This
is by no means conclusive and if these suggestions do not work for you;
try
something else, ask for other
suggestions,
and/or research other ideas.
Email for Suggestions: preceptor@rm118.com
Also See Tutoring Schedule and
Handouts in rm118
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Taking
notes in class is one of the most effective ways to understand the material being presented in class. Unless you have a photographic
mind, you will need to learn this important skill.
1. Come
to class prepared. Always bring enough paper and a writing instrument of
your choice to class.
2. Start
a new page for each new class. Also, put the date on the top of the first
page. This way you will know where the notes for each class begin, which will
help you keep the material organized. Consider keeping your notes organized in
their own binder.
3. Do
not try to write down every word your teacher says. You will not be able
to, even if you can write very fast. More importantly, in trying to do so, you
will miss the overall point your teacher is trying to make.
4. Write
down the big ideas. Listen for facts, connections, and main ideas. This may
take a while to get used to, because you will need to divide your attention
between listening to the teacher (or other students) and writing your notes. Do
not get frustrated. In time, this will become easier.
5. Use
abbreviations for commonly occurring names and words. You can develop your
own abbreviations, as long as you do not forget what they stand for. For
example, in a lecture on Einstein, you might write his name out the first time,
and then abbreviate it as (E) throughout the rest of your notes. Long words
such as government can become (govt.) and federal can become (fed.) Develop
your own system and stick to it, once it works.
6. Leave
lots of room on the page. When writing, leave ample space between ideas.
This is like pausing before you begin a new sentence. Your notes will much
easier to read, and you will have space to add information later on, if needed.
Do not try to cram everything onto one piece of paper.
7. Use
diagrams and pictures where necessary. Sometimes it is helpful to draw
pictures that illustrate the connections between ideas, sequences, or events.
Do not be afraid to draw pictures that will help you understand the material.
8. Write
down corresponding page numbers from your textbook. Teachers often use the
textbook to refer to ideas you are learning in class. Recording the page number
of corresponding ideas and homework assignments can come in handy later on.
9. Review
your notes for accuracy. It is a good idea to look over your notes sometime
after class for accuracy and completeness. Consider doing this just before
doing your homework to get yourself back in the mindset of the material.
10. Obtain notes for missed classes. Sometimes it is necessary to
miss class, but that should not stop you from getting notes for it. Consider
forming a partnership with another student at the beginning of class on whom
you can rely (and who can rely on you) for notes when a class is missed. Your
teacher may also be willing to share his or her notes with you.
You can
improve your performance in classes by ensuring that homework is understood and completed.
1. Find
an appropriate and consistent environment for study. This place should be
quiet, and have adequate lighting and a desk or writing surface. If possible,
use this place as a study area exclusively. Minimize distractions such as TV,
stereo, telephone, etc.
2. Set
up a routine. Set up a
homework routine for the same time daily, if possible. This will let your parents know that you have
expectations with regards to homework. It will also help you develop a habit of
completing schoolwork at the same time and place daily.
3. Have
your parents help prepare an area for work. Stock your homework center with the appropriate supplies, such as
a dictionary, thesaurus,
textbooks, pencils, paper, calculators, etc.
4. Set
little goals for yourself. Set
short-range goals prior to beginning homework. For example, 1) Review
the concept of slope, 2) Complete the assigned math homework, and 3) Write a
thesis statement for my essay. Take short breaks
between assignments for different classes.
5. Get
organized and do not procrastinate.
Use of a daily planner and find someone to demonstrate how to use it to
organize assignments, extra
curricular activities, and other commitments. Keep a three-ring notebook for
each subject taken.
6. Monitor
your own progress. Touch base with your teacher and make sure you have
completed all the work. Try keeping your own grades in a notebook. Be aware of what needs to be
accomplished each night and check to see that it is done, if necessary. Avoid having your parents or teachers having to hover over you
throughout the year.
7. Confirm that your homework is or was done
correctly. Do not wait until class starts, go ask
your teacher for help well before class so that you and your teacher can
discuss your answers appropriately.
If you
were to prepare for a test the way you might prepare for a big game, you would
probably make a game plan. OK, so the test probably is not nearly as much fun
as a game, but your goal is the same; develop a plan
to win.
Before the Exam: *
1. Prepare
for the exam by studying for the
type of exam given. If it is a multiple choice
exam, create flash cards that help you memorize the material. If you must write
an essay; create outlines that help you see the
relationships in the material.
2. Do not wait until the night of the exam.
Studies show that reviewing the material on a daily or every other day bases
will help you retain the information better. Waiting to study 2-3 weeks of
material the night before an exam can develop anxiety. Plus,
you wound not have the opportunity to talk to your teacher about concepts or
terms that you are unclear about. (Cramming) usually does not help with your long term memory.
3. Take
advantage of teacher tutoring or study sessions. Getting one on one instruction can make a world of difference and going
to study sessions may help narrow down the information to be tested. Proper
preparation may help reduce anxiety.
4. Get
a good night rest prior to the test
day. Also, eat a healthy breakfast or lunch on the day of the exam (do not
over-eat!).
When You Begin:
1. Take
a deep breath to relax. Anxiety may reduce your confidence and be an
obstacle to doing your best.
2. Preview
the whole test briefly before you
begin. This will help get you warmed up to take the exam and allow you to
note the way the exam is organized.
3. Find
out how much time you have to take
the test and how much each section is worth. Allocate your time
accordingly. Do not spend the whole test on a section that is worth say only 10 points if the exam is worth 120
points.
4. Read the directions for each section.
During the Test:
1. Always
read the directions before you work
on a section. By reading the directions, it will allow you to make clear
decision on what to do and how to do them. Look for key words such as (and),
(or), (explain); a lot of times these words are used to add a second or third
part to the question. Failing to read directions can cause you to completely misjudge what the test is asking.
2. Ask
your instructor to explain
directions you do not understand. It is also important to mention that if a
question is unclear; ask your instructor to clarify if they can.
3. Divide
and conquer! Answer the easy questions first to build confidence. This will
also allow you to rack up as many points as possible right from the start.
However, always be sure to mark the questions you do not answer right away so
you can go back to them.
4. Pace
yourself. Check the time to make sure you are pacing yourself
appropriately.
5. When
in doubt, guess. You at least have a chance that you might guess correctly.
(Never) leave a question unanswered even if you have to guess, it might be
correct or earn you at least a few points. An unanswered question will be a
(zero).
6. Do
not let others distract you. Focus only on your own exam. If others are
writing and you are not, do not panic. If others finish before you do, try not
to get nervous.
7. Use
any extra time to
first make sure you have
answered all the questions. Then, go over the more difficult questions and
read them a second time. Read essays carefully for accuracy
first and grammar second.
8. Do
not change your initial answer unless you have a good
reason to do so; research indicates that 3 out of 4 times a first choice
was probably correct.
1. Do not be absent from class. Attendance
is very important because it allows you to stay on top of assignments,
information, lectures, activities, exams, projects, etc
2. Be attentive while is class. Get good
night rests and eating healthy helps. Ask questions and participating in class
will keep the lesson more interesting than just being passive.
3. Be prepared before going to class. Have
all necessary materials for class such as; pencils/pens, paper, folders, texts,
and assignments.
4. Do the class work that is
assigned to you. Keeping up with daily reading and work assignments
will prevent you from falling behind and having to constantly
be catching up. Quizzes or pop quizzes may spring up any time. By doing
the work it will keep you on your toes in the event
the teacher asks you a question or an opinion about the subject matter.
5. Write it all down during lecture. Take
good notes (never recopy), make note cards, and write down questions and ask
them as soon as possible. If you (doodle) in your notes, it is alright, the picture might remind you of a concept during an
exam.
6. Attend study sessions if they are offered. Either class sessions or
classmate sessions. You may have forgotten something or you may have a
question that someone at the session can answer.
7. Communicate with your teacher. For what ever reason you are not sure of a concept, assignment,
lesson, etc; go talk to your teacher. Schedule a time to meet for tutoring,
teachers are happy to meet your needs if you are sincere and independently
responsible for your studies.
8. Manage your time. For example, even
though an assignment was not given in class take some
time (10 min., 20 min., 30 min., etc...) to review what you went over that day.
This will generate questions that you can ask the teacher the next day and/or
make you more familiar with the material so that studying for the test will not
be a totally new experience. Do not procrastinate
and get assignments done, study for the test early; if you have
any questions ask them now.
9. Know the vocabulary in order to speak the
topic. A lot of times, certain subjects are like
(or are) a foreign language. In order to speak the language
to have to know the terms. Daily review, relating personal experiences
or the use of analogies can help.
10. Try teaching others. Sometimes you learn
if you teach it. While studying for a quiz or test; literally try teaching the
topic to a friend or family member. (Discuss) with them what you have learned
and even try asking them questions. Review the answers with them while looking
at your notes or text. In other words, you be the teacher. This can help reduce
anxiety or embarrassment because you have been in the class and have all the
answers in front of you.
11. Study (nearly) every day. Do not wait
until the (night of). By looking over the material on a daily bases, you can
remember items better, ask questions prior to an exam, and not have to cram the
material the night before the exam.
12. Only study items that you do not understand. There is really no need to
study items or concepts that you are already familiar with.
It takes extra time and can give you a false sense of security that you know
all the information. Concentrate on what you do not know.
Young
people are developing emotionally, intellectually, and physically. Parents can
help their child be successful students by encouraging them in the following
suggested ways:
1. Create a quiet space for homework to be
completed. A
place free from disruption and fully stocked with supplies (pencils, pens,
paper, stapler, tape, calculator, etc.) is ideal.
2. Communicate with your child. Ask about their
homework, and what large projects and tests are upcoming. Also, stay in
touch with school. Attend parent-teacher conferences, ask for periodical
updates on the progress of the child by contacting the school or educator, be involved with activities at the school.
3. Keep a family routine. Address such
concerning times as dinner, homework, and TV.
4. Remember that intrinsic motivation leads to
greater creativity. Allow your child to try a
variety of activities (clubs, sports, activities) in order to find their true
interests.
5. Encourage your child to keep trying when faced
with a challenge. Remind
your child that teachers and counselors are available to provide extra help
both academically or emotionally.
6. Tell your child to seek help if they need
it. Teachers are happy to meet student request for tutoring or mentoring.
Often, a one-on-one meeting can make a world of difference in learning due to
the individual attention. Teachers can set up times for tutoring (ie. just
before an exam) in accordance to the students schedule for more flexibility.
7. Encourage your child to read. If your child wants to improve
their scores on standardized tests, reading helps. The best way to improve
reading comprehension and vocabulary is to read a lot.
8. Help your child to set realistic goals and
work toward them systematically. Also, no matter what the goal (making a sports team, improving
academic grades, or learning a new skill) remind children that the journey is
as important as attaining the goal.
9. Help with their understanding. Be there to assist them with
their homework or studying. If the subject is unclear, ask your child to
explain the topic, communicate with the teacher (phone, email, notes) to help
understand the concept, or even use online internet resources.
10. Praise your adolescent for their contributions
to family, school, and community. This conveys a belief in their accomplishments and
helps to build a positive self-image.
You Only Fail if
You Give Up Trying
References
Guides and suggestive information for students,
teachers, and parents. Retrieved from http://www.glencoe.com
How parent can help their middle or
high school child. Retrieved from http://www.
teachervision.fen.com