STUDY SKILLS

STUDY SKILLSApproaches applied to learningORGANIZING YOUR STUDYOrganizing a study schedule is an important aspect of your studies. It helps you to relax, knowing that there's time for everything, which in turn will lead to more confidence on tests and better grades.Steps to organizing your study1Arrange a schedule to include seven days of theweek.Calculate the amount of time needed for daily activities, such as laundry, cleaning your room, sports or having fun with your friends. Calculate the amount of Make Time by Prioritizing and Scheduling time available to study. Devote a certain amount of time throughout the week for each subject. Even calculate the time you will need on weekends.2Keep your schedule handy.Use a day planner or small notebook that can be carried with you at all times. Update it on a daily basis, such as when you first return home from school. Keep an open mind and be flexible to changes. Rearrange to prioritize what is most important to accomplish in each day. Keeping it home is great, a most likely more sufficient than keeping it in your locker at school so you can record it at home and be sure not to forget.3Record when you will study and for how long.Arrange to do the quick and easy tasks first.Record test dates and arrange to study extra in advance. Plan to reward yourself for tasks well done. If you are not sure about how long it will take, time yourself the first time so you will know prior to that.4Be diligent and focused on your studies.Understand that one step builds upon another. Rearrange your schedule when you just need a spontaneous day off. We all get off topic, or distracted easily.But, if you focus on your work you will understand it better, do it better, and finish the work much faster.TIME MANAGEMENTTime is the most valuable resource a student has.It is also one of the most wasted of resources.The schedule you develop should guide you in how to allocate the available time in the most productive manner. Sticking to your schedule can be tough.

Don't dribble away valuable time. Avoiding study is the easiest thing in the world. It's up to you to follow the schedule you prepared. A good deal of your success in high school or college depends on this simple truth.Before you even begin to think about the process of studying, you must develop a schedule. If you don't have a schedule or plan for studying, then you will not have any way of allocating your valuable time when the unexpected comes up. A good, well thought out schedule can be a lifesaver. It's up to you to learn how to develop a schedule that meets your needs, revise it if necessary, and most important, follow it.

A schedule saves timeAll schedules should be made with the idea that they can be revised. A good schedule keeps you from wandering off course. A good schedule, if properly managed, assigns time where time is needed, but you've got to want to do it!

Making every hour countA schedule should take into account every class, laboratory, lecture, social event, and other work in which you engage. There are givens such as classes and so on that have to be incorporated. You must focus on the other "free time" available and how you will use it. Make a weekly schedule and block off the 24 hour day in one hour increments.

Indicate times for classes, labs, lectures, social, and work time. Also block off a period for sleeping each day. With what is left over, plan time for study. This gives you a rough road map of the time available. Of course, you can revise your schedule as circumstances warrant.

When to studyThe problem of when to study is critical. A good rule of thumb is that studying should be carried out only when you are rested, alert, and have planned for it. Last minute studying just before a class is usually a waste of time.

STUDY HABITSThe key to effective studying isnt cramming or studying longer, butstudying smarter. You can begin studying smarter with these proven and effective study habits.How you approach studying matters - Being in the right mindset is important in order to study smarter.Where you study is important - Finding an ideal study place is important, because its one you can reliably count on for the next few years.Bring everything you need, nothing you dont - Nothing is more time-consuming and wasteful than having to run back and forth regularly because you forget an important book, paper, or some other resource you need to be successful.Outline and rewrite your notes - The important thing to remember in writing outlines is that an outline only words as a learning tool when it is in your own words and structure. Every person is unique in how they put similar information together (called chunking by cognitive psychologists)Practice by yourself or with friends - The old age adage, practice makes perfect, is true. You can practice by yourself by testing yourself with either practice exams, past quizzes, or flash cards (depending what kind of course it is and whats available). Some people enjoy reviewing their materials with a group of friends or classmates.Make a schedule you can stick to - Some people study every day, others put it off to once or twice a week. The frequency isnt as important as actually studying on a regular basis. Take breaks (and rewards!) - Because so many people view studying as a chore or task, its human nature to avoid it.If, however, you find rewards to help reinforce what youre doing, you may be pleasantly surprised by the change you may find in your attitude over time.Keep healthy and balanced - Its hard to live a balanced life while in school. But the more balance you seek out in your life, the easier every component in your life becomes. When youre out of balance, the things youre not focusing on such as studying become that much harder. Dont spend all of your time studying have friends, keep in touch with your family, and find interests outside of school that you can pursue and enjoy.

Know what the expectations are - Talking to the instructor early on especially if you foresee a difficult course ahead will help you understand the course requirements and the professors expectations.Dont forget to learn!Studying isnt just about passing an exam, as most students look at it as. Studying is an effort to actually learn things, some of which you might actually care about.

INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL DISTRUCTORSIt isn't always easy stayingfocused on studying. But you can go a long way toward reaching your study goals by getting rid of both the internal (in your head) and the external study distractions. When you choose a time andplace to study, nothing should interfere

External Study DistractionsWhat's Distracting You?

An external study distraction is something that comes from outside of your brain. Anything from technology to the clothes you're wearing can become a study distraction if not taken care of before you begin your study session. The following are the top five external study distractions.Your Phone - With all theappsto choose from, games to play, people to text, music to listen to, photos to view, and conversations to be had, your phone is the #1 study distraction.Your Computer - Unless you are activelystudyingon it, your computer can be a huge distraction, too.Your Friends - Unless your friends happen to be verygood study partners, they can really keep you from studying, despite their best intentions.

Your Family - If you're studying in your home, and surrounded by family, you may have a difficult time finding enough quiet to hone in on your test material. Your Physical Needs -Sleepiness, hunger, bathroom breaks and physical discomfort can get you up out of your chair.

Internal Study Distractions

An internal study distraction comes from inside your head, and these are the most difficult to get rid of by a long shot. All sorts of feelings and emotions, thoughts and dreams can keep you from your goals.The following are the top five internal study distractions.

1. Self-Doubt - Thinking that you won't be able to succeed is one of the biggest study distractions. 2. Anxiety - Test-taking anxiety can cause real stress when studying for a big exam. Students actually report increased heart rate, headache, and even nausea while studying for a major test.3. Fear - eg If you don't pass this test, you're going to repeat this class your senior year. That's a scary notion, and that fear can be a major study distraction.

Anger - Anger can be a very destructive emotion, even though we all experience it from time to time. But if you're living with constant anger about grades, about an ex, about life in general you're shortening your attention span in spades.Ego - Confidence is great. If you are overly confident in your abilities, you could be distracting yourself from your study because you don't believe you can make a mistake.

MOTIVATIONMotivation is important for good studying.When you are motivated, you will find it easy to stay focused over a period of time. When you are not motivated, you will not only find it difficult to stay focused, but you will find it difficult to get started in the first place.Five Parts:Prepare Your Study Space - Find a quiet space with few distractions.- Stock up on study supplies.- Keep a small stash of water and snacks by your sideRemove Your Distractions - Wear comfortable clothing.- Put your cell phone on silent- If possible, turn off your computer.Set Study Goals- Set concrete goals for your study session- Reward yourself when you complete your goal.- Think of what you will achieve by studying.Prepare Yourself - Make a study schedule.- Do not procrastinate.Get Started- Just get started!