Study Tips for Success

 Knowing Your Learning Style

• If you learn best by reading:  Read the assigned chapters before class.  You’ll get more out of the lecture.  Make sure your study area is “visually clean” before you study.
• If you learn best by listening:  Skim the assigned chapters before class, but plan time to read them thoroughly after the lecture.  Play soft music while you study.
• If you learn best by doing:  Incorporate action when you study by using flashcards, drawing diagrams, or using a blackboard.

 Reading Textbooks

• Studying is always easier when we know something about the material and when we know why we’re reading the material.  If you’re unfamiliar with the topics in a course, skim through the textbook chapter before you sit down to read it.  Think consciously about what you already know on the topic, and think about what you want to learn from reading the chapter.
• Try the SQ3R method:
  • Survey, or preview, the chapter.
  • Create questions – in your head or on paper – for each chapter heading or subheading.
  • Read the chapter carefully.
  • Record your notes after each paragraph or brief section.
  • Review your notes (out loud, if possible) after you’ve finished reading.

Taking Notes

• Take notes that work – write on one side of the page, use a 3-ring binder so you can insert and move notes as needed, review your notes right after class so you can fill in any gaps.
• The Cornell method of note-taking works for some students because it requires you to be an active listener and reader.  When you take notes, first draw a line down the middle of the page.  On the right-hand side, take notes from class or from your textbook.  On the left-hand side, summarize your notes, list main ideas, and/or create test questions based on your notes.

Preparing for Tests

• What kind of test will your professor give?  Multiple-choice, true-false, essay, and short answer tests all require different preparation.
• For multiple-choice and true-false:  pay careful attention to each word.  Look out for negatives (no, not, except) and absolute modifiers (all, every, never, always, none) which can be “tricks” in the question.  Study to recognize correct information.
• For short-answer questions:  When studying, predict test questions that will ask for definitions, lists of steps, short explanations, or brief descriptions.  Study to recall information quickly.
• For essay questions:  Predict essay questions and prepare outlines for your responses.  Prepare yourself with key facts that may be needed on the essay.  Know how much you are expected to write for each essay question.

Audio Format

Printer Friendly Format