LaSalle High School Science Department StLaSalle High School Science Department Study Skillsudy Skills

Study SkillsStudy Skills

Learn How to LearnLearn How to Learn

Overview of GoalsOverview of Goals

There’s not an easy way to get There’s not an easy way to get an Aan A

You need to learn effective You need to learn effective study skills and time study skills and time management skillsmanagement skills

The following guidelines will give The following guidelines will give you suggestions to make you a you suggestions to make you a better studentbetter student

Topics to be CoveredTopics to be Covered

Time managementTime management Note-takingNote-taking Writing research papersWriting research papers Studying for ExamsStudying for Exams Additional Resources at LSHSAdditional Resources at LSHS

Time Time managementmanagement

STEP ONE STEP ONE

Examine how you currently spend Examine how you currently spend your time on a given dayyour time on a given day Write down in a journal what you plan to Write down in a journal what you plan to

do that day for a weekdo that day for a week Look at how your plan of what you Look at how your plan of what you

wanted to do compares to what you wanted to do compares to what you actually DID that dayactually DID that day

What are you least likely to do?What are you least likely to do? What did you have no problem What did you have no problem

completing?completing? Where may you have spent your time Where may you have spent your time

better? Did you have any open time better? Did you have any open time slots in the day?slots in the day?

STEP TWOSTEP TWO

Identify blocks of time to study Identify blocks of time to study (determine how much of your (determine how much of your time is committed to other time is committed to other activities and how much time activities and how much time you need to study)you need to study) Most people need an average of 2 Most people need an average of 2

hours study time for every hour of hours study time for every hour of class per week (3 credit class=6 class per week (3 credit class=6 hours per week studying)hours per week studying)

STEP THREE STEP THREE

Make to-do listsMake to-do lists Prioritize tasksPrioritize tasks What is due tomorrow?What is due tomorrow? What can you work on slowly?What can you work on slowly?

STEP FOURSTEP FOUR

Find a quiet environment with Find a quiet environment with few distractionsfew distractions

Some students study best with a Some students study best with a lamp, quiet music, facing a lamp, quiet music, facing a window, or other modificationswindow, or other modifications

Break down work into Break down work into manageable tasks (30 minutes manageable tasks (30 minutes per assignment)per assignment)

Study Breaks!Study Breaks!

Don’t expect to get everything Don’t expect to get everything done in one sittingdone in one sitting

Take 10 minutes every hour or Take 10 minutes every hour or so-get a cup of coffee, walk so-get a cup of coffee, walk around, make a quick phone around, make a quick phone call, check emailcall, check email

Make sure this doesn’t turn into Make sure this doesn’t turn into procrastination!procrastination!

STEP FIVESTEP FIVE

Switch subjects frequently (~30 Switch subjects frequently (~30 minutes per subject)minutes per subject)

Tackle difficult assignments firstTackle difficult assignments first Make mini-deadlines (if something is Make mini-deadlines (if something is

due in a month, have a draft due 2 due in a month, have a draft due 2 weeks before)weeks before)

Learn to handle procrastinationLearn to handle procrastination DON’T WAIT TILL THE LAST DON’T WAIT TILL THE LAST

MINUTE!!!MINUTE!!!

CHECKPOINT:CHECKPOINT:

What is the best way to study?What is the best way to study? A. Work on one assignment until it is A. Work on one assignment until it is

donedone B. Switch subjects and take periodic B. Switch subjects and take periodic

study breaksstudy breaks

There is no right answer-this depends There is no right answer-this depends on the topic and your level of interest, as on the topic and your level of interest, as well as when it needs to be completed. well as when it needs to be completed. Try to switch subjects as a rule to keep Try to switch subjects as a rule to keep your motivation high!!!your motivation high!!!

NOTE-TAKINGNOTE-TAKING

NOTE-TAKINGNOTE-TAKING

Golden Rule-Don’t expect to write Golden Rule-Don’t expect to write every word of the teacher’s every word of the teacher’s lecture!lecture!

Need to prepare for notes before Need to prepare for notes before class and review notes after class and review notes after classclass

BEFORE CLASSBEFORE CLASS

Have class assignments read Have class assignments read before classbefore class

Skim chapter-reread after class. Skim chapter-reread after class. Sometimes you understand the Sometimes you understand the chapter more after attending chapter more after attending classclass

Review notes from prior class-Review notes from prior class-most discussions pick up where most discussions pick up where it left offit left off

TAKING NOTESTAKING NOTES

Always date your notesAlways date your notes Put heading/class topic on top of Put heading/class topic on top of

paperpaper Write notes in phrase form, Write notes in phrase form,

rather than sentence formrather than sentence form Write notes on one side of paper Write notes on one side of paper

if you want to add information if you want to add information laterlater

NOTE-TAKING SYSTEMSNOTE-TAKING SYSTEMS

Outline method-Outline method-write down key write down key themes, and use indentation to themes, and use indentation to show lesser points (use capital show lesser points (use capital letters, roman numerals, or letters, roman numerals, or numbers to outline)numbers to outline)

ParagraphParagraph- write first main topic - write first main topic and write underneath—separate and write underneath—separate ideas. Headings will help you ideas. Headings will help you study for exam.study for exam.

NOTE-TAKING SYSTEMS NOTE-TAKING SYSTEMS (cont.)(cont.)

Mapping method-notes are Mapping method-notes are recorded in chart or graphic recorded in chart or graphic method (this is often a more method (this is often a more complex method for note taking complex method for note taking and should only be used once and should only be used once you are comfortable with the you are comfortable with the other techniques of note taking)other techniques of note taking)

WHAT TO INCLUDE IN NOTESWHAT TO INCLUDE IN NOTES

Main pointsMain points DefinitionsDefinitions TheoriesTheories FormulasFormulas ListsLists Page Page

referencesreferences Examples Examples

worked on worked on boardboard

Important DatesImportant Dates Anything noted Anything noted

as “important to as “important to know, keep in know, keep in mind for exam”mind for exam”

Important Important peoplepeople

Anything Anything spelled outspelled out

ChartsCharts

After ClassAfter Class

Edit your notes-reorganize or Edit your notes-reorganize or rewrite to make more legible rewrite to make more legible and understandableand understandable

Add information from book, Add information from book, clarify notes (missing clarify notes (missing information –get from another information –get from another student or from book)student or from book)

Reading AssignmentsReading Assignments

Avoid over-highlighting-while it Avoid over-highlighting-while it may look like you read the may look like you read the material, it may be harder to material, it may be harder to remember the informationremember the information

Write notes in margin of bookWrite notes in margin of book Pre-read: read major headings, Pre-read: read major headings,

first paragraph, and chapter first paragraph, and chapter summaries first. Read for summaries first. Read for understanding.understanding.

CHECKPOINT:CHECKPOINT:

What does NOT have to be What does NOT have to be included in lecture notes?included in lecture notes?

Important datesImportant dates DefinitionsDefinitions Exact sentencesExact sentences TheoriesTheories

ANSWER: exact sentencesANSWER: exact sentences

WRITING RESEARCH WRITING RESEARCH PAPERSPAPERS

Writing Research PapersWriting Research Papers

First step: Choosing a topicFirst step: Choosing a topic Write about something in which Write about something in which

you are interested!you are interested! Avoid choosing a topic that is too Avoid choosing a topic that is too

broad or hard to write aboutbroad or hard to write about Make sure topic fits paper Make sure topic fits paper

assignmentassignment Make sure topic will lead into an Make sure topic will lead into an

argument on which you will base argument on which you will base your writingyour writing

Researching a topic:Researching a topic:

Conduct a library and online Conduct a library and online database search for your topicdatabase search for your topic

Use search words narrow Use search words narrow enough to find articles and enough to find articles and books related to topicbooks related to topic

Reference librarians at public Reference librarians at public libraries are excellent resources; libraries are excellent resources; use themuse them

ResourcesResources

Most databases can be accessed Most databases can be accessed through an internet connectionthrough an internet connection

Library homepage may link you to a Library homepage may link you to a list of databaseslist of databases

While books will give you a lot of While books will give you a lot of information, use chapters –otherwise information, use chapters –otherwise too time consuming to readtoo time consuming to read

Journal articles should be recent, Journal articles should be recent, within the past 10 yearswithin the past 10 years

Writing the PaperWriting the Paper

Take careful and detailed notes Take careful and detailed notes on each article (use notecards on each article (use notecards or legal pads)or legal pads)

Write headings within notes to Write headings within notes to make writing the paper easiermake writing the paper easier

Be careful not to write down Be careful not to write down direct sentences from authors-direct sentences from authors-paraphraseparaphrase

Writing the PaperWriting the Paper

Make an outline before writing Make an outline before writing the actual paperthe actual paper

Helps with overall organizationHelps with overall organization Make sure your thesis statement Make sure your thesis statement

is at the end of the introductionis at the end of the introduction Thesis : what you are arguing, Thesis : what you are arguing,

your main point, question being your main point, question being answered, etc.answered, etc.

Preparing the paperPreparing the paper

Avoid using passive tense “ex. They were Avoid using passive tense “ex. They were given”given”

If you are using a specific style (ex. APA, If you are using a specific style (ex. APA, MLA), when formatting your paper, check MLA), when formatting your paper, check with manual to make sure it is rightwith manual to make sure it is right

Use spell-check and grammar check, but Use spell-check and grammar check, but remember that it will not catch every error!remember that it will not catch every error!

Keep to page limitKeep to page limit Make sure all references are cited correctlyMake sure all references are cited correctly Avoid plagiarism-any idea that is not your Avoid plagiarism-any idea that is not your

own must be referenced. When in doubt, own must be referenced. When in doubt, cite!cite!

STUDYING FOR EXAMSSTUDYING FOR EXAMS

Studying for ExamsStudying for Exams

#1 Tip: Don’t wait for the last #1 Tip: Don’t wait for the last minute to study!minute to study!

Keep up with reading Keep up with reading assignments and review notes-assignments and review notes-will make it easier to prepare for will make it easier to prepare for examexam

Essay ExamsEssay Exams

Read over the question. Use Read over the question. Use scratch paper or the margin to scratch paper or the margin to write quick outline of what you write quick outline of what you want to say. want to say.

Always include a recognition of Always include a recognition of the exam question in your the exam question in your introduction/thesis statementintroduction/thesis statement

Make sure you address all Make sure you address all components of the questioncomponents of the question

ESSAY EXAMESSAY EXAM

Don’t use complicated language or Don’t use complicated language or make up things to make the essay make up things to make the essay longer-use clear and concise longer-use clear and concise languagelanguage

If you get the essay questions in If you get the essay questions in advance, make an outline of the advance, make an outline of the essay rather than writing it outessay rather than writing it out

Budget your time –if you have 50 Budget your time –if you have 50 minutes to answer 4 questions, minutes to answer 4 questions, make sure you aren’t left with 5 min make sure you aren’t left with 5 min to answer the last one!to answer the last one!

Multiple Choice ExamsMultiple Choice Exams

Make sure you understand the Make sure you understand the question or ask the instructor for question or ask the instructor for clarificationclarification

Pace yourself. Since m/c exams Pace yourself. Since m/c exams don’t require as much written work; don’t require as much written work; there may be lots of questions (50-there may be lots of questions (50-100). Circle the questions that have 100). Circle the questions that have “stumped” you and come back to “stumped” you and come back to them laterthem later

Multiple Choice ExamsMultiple Choice Exams Try to think of answer first before Try to think of answer first before

looking at answerslooking at answers Uncover answers one-by-one. If you Uncover answers one-by-one. If you

know it is not the right choice, cross know it is not the right choice, cross it out. If it may be right, DO NOT it out. If it may be right, DO NOT immediately mark it as correct. There immediately mark it as correct. There may be other better answers or a may be other better answers or a choice (e) as all of the above may choice (e) as all of the above may existexist

Process of elimination will help with Process of elimination will help with questions you are not sure about-questions you are not sure about-make an educated guess based on make an educated guess based on which ones you can rule out.which ones you can rule out.

ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS!ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS!

Unless you are taking a test like Unless you are taking a test like the SAT, you won’t be penalized the SAT, you won’t be penalized for wrong answersfor wrong answers

When you have five minutes left, When you have five minutes left, go back and answer all go back and answer all questions left unanswered-make questions left unanswered-make a guess!a guess!

Short AnswerShort Answer

Answer easy questions first; skim over Answer easy questions first; skim over questions in the beginning of the testquestions in the beginning of the test

Make sure you give the information asked Make sure you give the information asked for in the question (list, describe, theory for in the question (list, describe, theory and date)and date)

BE CONCISE. That’s what short answers BE CONCISE. That’s what short answers are-but make sure answer is completeare-but make sure answer is complete

If you only know part of the answer (ex. 3 If you only know part of the answer (ex. 3 of the 4 past presidents) write those down-of the 4 past presidents) write those down-may get partial credit.may get partial credit.

Try to “visualize” your notes-what heading Try to “visualize” your notes-what heading did the question fall under?did the question fall under?

Problem Oriented ExamsProblem Oriented Exams

Used for math and science Used for math and science coursescourses

Less questions on exams-make Less questions on exams-make take very long to answer each take very long to answer each oneone

If the problem has several parts, If the problem has several parts, make sure you answer each onemake sure you answer each one

Problem-oriented ExamsProblem-oriented Exams

Identify variables and what the Identify variables and what the problem is asking for-write them problem is asking for-write them downdown

Example (math): What is the Example (math): What is the dependant and independent dependant and independent variables? What variables have they variables? What variables have they given you for the regression line given you for the regression line equation?equation?

Box answers for each partBox answers for each part

Problem-oriented ExamsProblem-oriented Exams

If you use a calculator-make If you use a calculator-make sure you enter numbers sure you enter numbers correctly and round to the correctly and round to the correct number of decimalscorrect number of decimals

Show all work and answers in Show all work and answers in the space provided. Answers the space provided. Answers usually are awarded partial usually are awarded partial credit while work receives the credit while work receives the majority of the creditmajority of the credit

ConclusionConclusion

This self-paced presentation was This self-paced presentation was designed to give you study skills and designed to give you study skills and tips on how to achieve success in tips on how to achieve success in your classesyour classes

Incorporate these tips slowly into Incorporate these tips slowly into your normal study habitsyour normal study habits

Remember to keep up with your Remember to keep up with your notes and reading assignmentsnotes and reading assignments

Speak to a tutor if you would like Speak to a tutor if you would like further helpfurther help

ConclusionConclusion

Every teacher at LaSalle wants Every teacher at LaSalle wants you to be a successful studentyou to be a successful student

Every teacher will assist you in Every teacher will assist you in any way possible to become a any way possible to become a successful studentsuccessful student

Ask questions; seek help; be an Ask questions; seek help; be an active participantactive participant

No teacher can do the learning No teacher can do the learning for you!for you!