Helpful Tips for Improving Your Study

Skills

Preparing to StudyDid you know that 60 minutes of daytime study is

equivalent to 90 minutes of nighttime study?Take advantage of the following opportunities:

Time provided in classStudy hallsRAM periodsAnd, of course, PASS!

Preparing to StudyEstablish a routine

Use an assignment book or make use of the organizational tools on your laptop to record homework, test dates and long term assignments.

Set aside a specific time each day to study

Preparing to StudyChoose your study area carefully!

Find a place that is quiet, well-lit and free of distractions (phone, friends, TV, etc).

A note on listening to music while studying… Research shows that soft, instrumental music can set

the stage for a positive study environment. Loud music or music with lyrics will cause you to lose

focus, detracting from your study and prolonging your homework –TRUST ME!

Preparing to StudyCollect all of your materials prior to studying

Study guides (if your teachers provide them, they are the most useful study tool!)

Notes (class and homework)Old homework assignments and quizzesTextbooks

Preparing to StudySet an agenda

It is a good idea to schedule the most difficult task first

Begin long term assignments as soon as they are assigned

Break long term assignments into manageable goals

And most importantly—have a positive attitude! Replace negative (ex: “I can’t do this.”) with positive self-talk

Studying in the Content AreasPrioritize assignments and focus on one specific

task at a time (rather than jumping from one thing to another)

Plan study time in 60-minute blocks: 50 minutes for study followed by a 10 minute break

Studying in the Content AreasTextbook Reading

Preview textbook chapters by reading the title and subheadings, looking at the graphics and reading the questions at the end of the chapter

After each subheading section, try to summarize what you’ve just read in a sentence or two (if you can’t, reread!)

Use graphic organizers to summarize key information and show relationships (ex—create a chart that lists causes and effects of the French Revolution or make a Venn diagram to show similarities/differences between Medieval and Renaissance art)

Following up After StudyingClean out and organize your

backpacks/binders/folders oftenTry to make connections between

chapters/subjects (ex--Lord of the Flies was written in response to WW2—we are learning about WW2 in Western Civ.)

Reward yourself at the end of study time!