Study Skills Guide: Improving Learning Techniques & Habits

Study Skills Skills for Successful Students learn to self-motivate maintain good health handle stress well understand your style of learning manage time well practice critical thinking listen carefully to instructors take effective notes improve memory prepare for and take tests...

Study Skills Skills for Successful Students learn to self-motivate maintain good health handle stress well understand your style of learning manage time well practice critical thinking listen carefully to instructors take effective notes improve memory prepare for and take tests  Establishing Good Work Habits Practice using good workplace habits while in school Care about others Show respect for classmates Be courteous Have integrity Do own work Be honest  Establishing Good Work Habits Practice using good workplace habits while in school Be dependable Arrive to class on time Do assignments accurately Work well with others Be understanding Participate in class  Establishing Good Work Habits Practice using good workplace habits while in school Be dependable Arrive to class on time Do assignments accurately Work well with others Be understanding Participate in class  Learning for Mastery Learn for understanding Rather than memorization of facts Understand why information is important and how it can be used Learn to apply information to new situations you will encounter on job Assessing Study Habits nurturing motivation focusing on your goal building confidence establishing a specific direction Ermolaev Alexander/Shutterstock.com Learning Styles--Why Why is learning styles important? Learning styles are important because they can help many individuals— including students, educators, professionals and learning and development specialists—better understand the particular modalities that can help learners process information most effectively.  Learning Styles visual learners—learn by sight auditory learners—learn by hearing kinesthetic learners— learn by hands-on experience Hasloo Group Production Studio/Shutterstock.com  Visual Learners Learn by reading or seeing pictures. Understand and remember things by sight. Can picture what you are learning in your head, and you learn best by using methods that are primarily visual. Like to see what you are learning. Often visualize a picture in their mind when trying to remember something. Have a vivid imagination. Prefer to see rather than hear directions. Remember what they see more than what they hear. Activities for Visual Learners Mind Maps- a diagram for representing tasks, words, concepts, or items linked to and arranged around a central concept or subject using a non- linear Flow Charts Diagrams Word Searches Flashcards Quiet environment Take extensive notes Color/highlight Auditory Learner Auditory learning is a learning style in which a person learns through listening. An auditory learner depends on listening and speaking as a main way of learning. Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. May not be posted to a publicly accessible website. Strategies for Auditory Learners Lectures Podcasts Play background music Read aloud Small group discussions Teach others Repeating facts Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. May not be posted to a publicly accessible website. Kinesthetic Learner Kinesthetic learning, which some people call tactile learning or physical learning, is a style of processing information through touch and movement. Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. May not be posted to a publicly accessible website. Strategies for Kinesthetic Learners Hands on simulations Role playing Walk around while studying Take notes Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. May not be posted to a publicly accessible website. Effective Strategies for Time Management determine best time of day to study study hardest or least interesting subject first get rid of distractions take advantage of downtime find ideal study area join study group Critical Thinking Skills actively and skillfully analyzing and evaluating information to draw a conclusion common errors generalizations rushing to judgment making false assumptions stereotyping Active Listening listening intently to understand the complete message tips for active listening listen for main ideas sit where it is easy to hear don’t let mind wander listen and absorb, even if boring  Taking Notes organized, brief, neat outlining, color-coding, and rewriting identify new vocabulary Important points Listen for clues Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock.com  Reading for Comprehension Skim selection first Create questions for yourself Look for answers as you read Review your questions, answer without looking at text Reading the Text Go to the questions at the end first. Read them, answer them to the best of your ability, and then begin your actual reading strategies. This will sort of “prime the engine” of retention. Next, read the final summary of the chapter. This will give you a general background as to the Big Ideas in the chapter. Third, look at the headings and subdivision of the chapter. Fourth, read the chapter introduction.  Memorization Using mnemonic devices Acronyms Rest the injured area, Ice the sprain, Compress with a wrap or bandage, Elevate the injured area-REST “HOMES” can help you remember the names of the five Great Lakes: Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, and Superior. Rhymes I before E except after C or when sounding like A in neighbor and weigh Short Stories Associations- remember new information when you link it to something you already know well. Memorization continued connecting topics reading out loud visualizing information alternating study routine Preparing for Tests budget studying time attend review sessions on the day of the test get a good night’s sleep eat and visit the bathroom before the test arrive at class early Taking Tests write name, scan test to budget time bring writing instruments, watch stay relaxed, don’t rush keep eyes on own test answer questions with most point value first ask instructor if you don’t understand a question write legibly if an answer is not known, skip question and come back later don’t panic if others finish before you  Multiple-Choice Test Taking Tips and Strategies Read the entire question. Answer it in your mind first. Eliminate wrong answers. Use the process of elimination. Select the best answer. Read every answer option. Answer the questions you know first. Make an educated guess. Multiple Choice Test Tips Pay particularly close attention to the words not, sometimes, always, and never. It's usually best to stick with your first choice "All of the above" and "None of the above“ When there are seemingly two correct answers. Place your bet on the positive option. The more information... the better. Managing Health eat healthful foods maintain healthy weight sleep 6–9 hours each night exercise at least 20 minutes per day Managing Relationships invest in and create healthy relationships benefits of healthy relationships contribute to happiness increase energy improve overall health create a support system of people Personality Types and Stress type A: ambitious, organized, and impatient type B: patient, relaxed, easygoing, not plagued by urgency type C: suppress emotions, have trouble coping, may feel hopeless or helpless  Strategies for Stress Management maintain positive attitude eat healthfully, exercise, get sleep avoid substance abuse relax manage time well reach out for support haveseen/Shutterstock.com