YOU CAN BE ABETTER STUDENT

“It’s not necessary to BE smarter --it is only necessary to STUDY smarter.”

-- Dr. Lesa Seibert

Why Be a Better Student?

• You want to learn.

• You want to do well now and in your future.

• You want to feel good about yourself because you know you are trying your best.

How to Develop Good Study Habits

Setting goals

Listening skills

Taking notes

Reading assignments

Preparing a study area

Managing study time

Lesson 1Setting Goals

Got a challenge? Turn it into a goal.

There is no achievement without goals.

-- Robert J. McKaine

Long-term Goals

Long-term goals are goals that usually cannot be achieved within a day, week, or even a month.

EXAMPLE

My grade in math this marking period will increase at least three points over the last marking period.

Short-term Goals

The best way to achieve long-term goals is by breaking them down into several short-term goals, as the sooner you can experience successes, it is less likely that you will give up on your long-term goal.

EXAMPLE:

1) I will complete all homework assignments on time and to the best of my ability.

2) I will ask questions about concepts I do not understand.

3) I will seek help on problems I cannot seem to solve.

How to Achieve Your Goals

• Improve your skills.

• Set a reasonable time-table.

• Look for encouragement.

Applications

Joey’s goal is to get a 90 on a math test. On the last test he did not reach his goal; he got a 78.

• What would be some strategies Joey could try?• How would you encourage Joey not to give up on his

goal?

Maria’s goal is to participate more in social studies. For extra points for her project on Mexico, Maria volunteers to give an oral report. The day she does so, she realizes afterwards that she left out an important part of her presentation because she got nervous.

What encouragement would you give Maria so that she doesn’t give up?

Trent’s goal is to have a final average in his science class of at least 91. In the past he has come close, an average in the middle to upper 80s.

What are at least three short-term goals he can set for himself for the school year?

Lesson 2: Listening Skills

Listen to learn; learn to listen.

I think the one lesson I have learned is

that there is no substitute for paying attention.

— Diane SawyerABC television anchor

Three reasons you need to listen:

1) To be sure to have needed information

2) To get the benefits of teacher instruction

3) To make good use of your time

How to be a good listener

Remind yourself you are going to listen.

Sit up and look directly at the teacher.

Relate what you are hearing to what you already know.

Listen for important information and mark it down in your notes.

Note what kinds of questions the teacher asks.

Concentrate on what teacher is saying. Pay attention to key words or phrases.

The key to good listening isactive listening.

Manage and control your mind.

You can think about four times faster than a lecturer can speak. It is essential that you stay focused all the time

Application

• Make a list of all the things that make it difficult for you to listen in class.

• What can you do to overcome these difficulties?

Lesson 3: Taking Good Notes

He listens well who takes notes.

--Danteearly Italian poet

Taking good notes is a three-stage process in which there are certain things you should do before class, during class, and after class.

Before Class

• Review your notes from the previous day.

• Complete all assigned reading.

• Bring all note-taking materials: pen or pencil, notebook.

During Class

• Write the date at start of day’s notes.

• Keep your attention focused on what the teacher is saying.

• Listen for “signal statements” that tell you what your teacher is about to say is important.

Examples of main idea signal words and phrases:

• There are three reasons why . . .

• First . . . Second . . . Third

• And most importantly . . .

• A major development . . .

http://english-zone.com/study/signals.html

• On the other hand.... • On the contrary.... • In contrast.... • For example.... • As an example.... • For instance.... • Similarly.... • Also....

• Further.... • Furthermore.... • Likewise... • In addition to... • In order to... • Because...

http://english-zone.com/study/signals.html

Examples of “support ideas” summary words:

Examples of summary/conclusion signal words:

• Therefore . . . • In conclusion . . . • As a result . . . • Finally . . . • In summary . . . • From this we see . . .

english-zone.com/study/signals.html

• Write notes in your own words.• Use short sentences (condense the information).

• Write quickly.• Use abbreviations (w/o, NY, esp, info, ch, p., pp.).• Use symbols (%, @, &).

Place a question mark next to the information you write in your notes about whose meaning you are unsure. Make time later tobe sure you understand the meaning.

After ClassClarify your notes.

• Change abbreviated words into whole words and symbols into words.

• Make sure your notes are accurate by answering any questions you had when writing your notes in class.

• Be as neat as you can.

• Use your textbook and reference sources to obtain information you need to answer your questions.

• If necessary, ask your teacher or another student for help.

• Check your notes with other students to be sure you did not leave out important information.

Reading Assignments

Lesson 4

Unlike reading for pleasure, reading for class requires concentration and retention (remembering).

Suggestions

•Set up a schedule.•Read in spurts of 20-30 minutes.•Have a good location with minimal distractions.•Choose and use an effective method.

•SQ3R•SQ4R•PQ4R•SQRW

SQ3R

SURVEY

QUESTION

READ

RECITE

REVIEW

SURVEY

•Briefly preview the reading material.

•Develop a general understanding of the material•Read any summaries.

QUESTIONWho? What? When? Where? Why? How?

READ

•Read carefully.•Try to recall and then answer the questions you have made up.

RECITE•If you can answer the questions you have made up from memory, go on to the next section.

•If you can’t answer them, look back to find the answers. Do not go on until you can answer your questions.

REVIEWOnce you have finished the reading assignment, go back over the questions you made up to be sure you can still answer them. If not, re-read the parts you need to re-read in order to refresh your memory.

Review again.

SQ4R

SURVEY

QUESTION

READ

‘RITE [write]

RECITE

REVIEW

PQ4RPREVIEW

QUESTION

READ

REFLECT Try to understand the material as you read;think of examples and relate the material toprior knowledge.

RECITE

REVIEW

SQRW

SURVEY

QUESTION

READ

WRITE

SURVEY

• Read the title, introduction, headings, summary, conclusion.• Examine all visuals and read the caption that goes with each.

By surveying the chapter, you will quickly learn what the chapter is about.

QUESTION

Have questions in your mind as you read:

• Who?• What?• When?• Where?• Why?• How?

READ

• Read the information that follows each heading to find the answers to your questions.

• Stay focused and flexible, as you may need to change a question or turn your original question into several questions to be answered.

WRITE

• Write each question and answer in your notebook.

• Re-read each of your written answers to be sure each answer is legible and contains all the important information needed to answer the question.

Why read before class?

Reading the material before class is important.

•Gives you an idea of what is being discussed

•Lets you concentrate on picking up signals about what the instructor feels is important (and probably on the test)

•Enables you to ask intelligent questions in class

•Helps you know where to find information

Application

Experiment with a few of the formulas to find which one works best for you.

Note that the best formula to use may vary by subject area.

SQ3RSQ4RPQ4RSQRW

Lesson 5

Preparing to Study

Can You Answer “Yes”?

• Is your study area generally free from interruptions?

• Is your study area generally free from distractions?

• Does your study area contain all the study materials you need?

• Does your study space contain a large enough desk or table?

• Is your study space organized?

• Does your study area have enough storage space?

• Does your study area have a comfortable chair?

• Does your study area have enough light?

• Does your study area have a comfortable temperature?

You need a good studyplace in order to beprepared to study.

Lesson 6

Managing Study Time

The key to effective studying is planning.

Studying isn’t a waste of time, but poor studying is.

You need to develop a study plan.It will save you time.

Post Month’s Calendar

• Record your school assignments with their due dates.

• Record your planned school activities.

• Record your known out-of-school activities.

Most student agendas have calendars for the monthsof the school year. Use them to help you with yourweekly and monthly planning. Be sure to accuratelyRecord your daily assignments as well.

Make a Weekly Schedule

• Record your daily classes.

• Enter things to be done for the coming week.

• Review your agenda to see if you have missed recording any dates for tests or due dates for projects.

Make a Daily Schedule

• Enter the things to do for tomorrow from your

weekly schedule.

• Enter the things that still need to be done from what you wrote down yesterday.

• Review your agenda to see that you have everything . . . note any changes.

• Add any after-school activities on for tomorrow.

• Do your most difficult subject first and your easiest one last. • Be sure to make time for review.

Develop a Study Plan

• Take mini-break• Between subjects• About five minutes – set a timer

• Take one longer break• About a half hour – set a timer

How do you measure up?

Good study habits require that you . . . set goals. develop listening skills. take good notes. do assigned reading. have a good study area. manage your time well.

Application

What is at least one specific way you can improve your skills in each of these areas?• Listening• Note-taking• Reading

Take your ideas and create some goals to help you achieve them.

Success is a do-it-yourself project.

You can be a better student.