exercise: Student B

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   Home Up exercise: Student A exercise: Student B

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Improving Your Study Methods (student-sheet B)

 

Instructions: Print student-sheet A and student-sheet B. Read the vocabulary terms and definitions out loud (taking turns with your partner), then work with your partner to fill in the missing information below. As you do, notice the words that you have trouble understanding (this will tell you about weaknesses in pronunciation and/or listening). If needed, spell missing words for your partner, but DO NOT let your partner see your page! When you finish, use your eyes to compare papers (to be sure you have the complete information). For extra oral practice, talk about the discussion questions. Underlined words are in the vocabulary section.

  

I. How to Take Good Notes: The Five R’s

 

A. Recording – write down the main ideas and supporting ___________________

      1. Use an outline format to show the difference between ___________________________ information

           a. In your notes, indicate the material’s significance by using an outline form [e.g., (A,B,C) for _______________________________, but (a,b,c) for ____________________________ points]

           b. Listen closely for your professor’s signal words that indicate major points (such as “____________ ___________________” or “be sure you understand this”)

           c. Take lecture notes using only the left or right half of your page; leave the other side free for complementary notes on _______________________ from your textbook.

      2. Strive to mentally participate in the flow of the lecture, don’t just passively _____________________

           a. Develop a big picture view: don’t get distracted by isolated ______________________.

           b. Concentrate on the overall point or theme of the lecture. How do sub-points ______________ that ______________________?

B. Reducing – summarize the material in a simple form

      1. ________________ using your own ________________ instead of trying to copy the teacher’s words

      2. Remember that _________________ are reminders, not a transcript or copy of the material.

           a. Copy verbatim only definitions and ___________________________ that needs to be memorized.

           b. Quickly write ________________ in brief phrases, not complete _______________________.

           c. Develop your own system of abbreviations for long words (e.g., medc=medicine, medl=medical)

C. Revising – look over and fix the material ___________________________________ after recording it

      1. Fix (revise) confusing fragments of information in your notes.

      2. Clarify ________________________; be sure you will still know what they mean a month from now.

      3. Are there some connecting thoughts or facts missing? If so, ___________________________!

      4. Don’t be afraid ___________________ a classmate or your teacher for help.

D. Reflecting – think about what you’ve ________________________ down

      1. Did you get the meat or substance of the lecture? Can you see _______________________________?

      2. Can you discover the flow of your professor’s ideas?

      3. Do you see both general ___________________, and particular ___________________ information?

E. Reviewingreview your notes the same day you took them, and also _________________ the exam.

      1. Involve more senses by ______________________ your notes out loud.

      2. Begin early when studying for exams; make time to review several times, not just _______________.

 

II. Studying for Exams

 

A. Compile all of your source material (lecture notes, textbook notes, handouts, things you have found on the Internet, etc.), and separate it into topics before starting.

B. Begin studying early for the upcoming test; this __________________________________.

      1. Gauge starting time on the number of exams and conflicting assignments. (If you have more than one exam or assignment due on the same day, then decide which one you will start working on first, and begin early enough to get everything done.)

      2. Start studying at least ________________________________ prior to your exam.

      3. Take into account the time needed for extracurricular activities. (You need to do more than “just study”; be sure your schedule includes time to _____________________________, honor work or family commitments, and spend time with your _________________________.)

C. Be an efficient studier. (see section III below)

D. Concentrate primarily on lecture notes and secondarily on reading material. (Most teachers choose to lecture about the most important things in the textbooks, and design exams to find out if you __________________________ what they considered to be most important.)

E. Keep your eyes on ________________________________.

      1. Integrate information from many sources in order to get a more complete understanding of the material.

      2. Analyze each bit of information to determine its significance and role in the overall concept.

F. Consult your professor if your notes or ________________________ are unclear.

G. Study using the following suggested procedure: (1) carefully study your lecture notes; (2) with each section of notes, find supporting ideas in pertinent reading material (i.e., review and take notes from your ____________________ and handouts); (3) go over the notes once again in reverse order and be sure you can tie the whole concept together.

 

III. Being an Efficient Studier (Do the most in the least amount of time.)

 

A. Study a subject no longer than ____________________________ at one sitting.

B. Take short breaks approximately every forty-five minutes (at least stand up and walk for a minute to get your blood moving)

C. Stay focused and concentrate deeply while studying.

      1. Minimize interruptions (turn off your ________________________________) and background noise (don’t be near an interesting movie or a friend’s conversation).

      2. Set a goal to be accomplished before taking your ____________________ (e.g., “get to page 121” or “finish question 2”).

D. Don’t waste small amounts of time, use them to study. (Believe it or not, you can accomplish a lot in just _________________________________.)

 

      1. Read a section of a required book.

      2. Recite a list of things to memorize.

      3. Study a review sheet or _______________________ your notes.

      4. Discuss class-related topics with your classmates.

 

IV. How to Prepare for and Take an Exam

 

A. Before the exam

      1. Exercise the night before, get plenty of sleep, and eat a good breakfast.

      2. Get up early, and spend some time looking at key notes to refresh your mind.

      3. Walk to class (walking gets your blood moving); arrive about 15 minutes before the test starts, and just relax while you wait.

      4. Do not study once you’re inside the classroom; cramming will only create confusion for you in the test.

      5. Trust your preparation (say to yourself: “I’ve studied hard, so I’m ready for this”), but never be over-confident (over-confidence makes you careless).

B. During the exam

      1. Quickly look over the test pages, looking for parts that will need more time (like essay questions); then go through the test carefully and methodically. Look at the back of test pages (if it is printed “double-sided” then you don’t want to leave half of it blank!).

      2. If you truly don’t have an answer for an item, skip over that questions (i.e., don’t waste time thinking about what you don’t know).

      3. Watch the clock to be sure you have time for every section. Many teachers do not allow mobile phones in the classroom, so wear a watch (don’t plan to use the clock in your phone).

      4. Take a short “mental break” in your seat for a minute or two if you start to feel yourself panicking, but don’t “look around the room” (lest teachers think you are cheating).

      5. Make an educated guess when you are not sure of the answer: e.g., eliminate choices that are clearly wrong, and then look for clues to show you the best remaining answer.

      6. If you have extra time, check your paper before turning it in; be sure you didn’t leave anything blank, but don’t change any answers unless you are sure you made a mistake (your first guess is normally best). Be sure your name and other essential information is on the paper.

 

V. Dealing with School Frustrations

 

A. Consider the past unchangeable, and study to change the outcome of the future.

B. Realize that you are never defeated until you accept defeat.

C. Keep your studies moving forward. Review to prepare for the next test or course, and learn from your mistakes (especially in “skills courses” like a foreign language). But do not waste time thinking too much about what you have done wrong (like trying to prove that your answer wasn’t really incorrect).

D. Realize that the first grades of the semester will probably be the worst. Instead of being discouraged, remind yourself that you will do better next time, once you are used to the subject or professor.

E. Put forth your best effort; after that, don’t worry. If you truly do your best, you have nothing to be ashamed of, even if the results are disappointing.

F. Religious people often find peace and strength through prayer (such as peace of mind before an exam, and the strength to forgive someone who hurt you). If you are looking for extra help, this might be a great place to look.

G. No one is perfect, so forgive your friends and teachers, just as you want them to forgive your own mistakes. Remember that forgiveness is a great source of peace and harmony.

 

Sources: This information was adapted for Chinese students by Michael Krigline, M.A., in 2009, based on a handout given to new students at Columbia International University in Columbia, South Carolina. The original material listed this source: Harves, Gene. Harves Guide to Successful Study Skills. New York: New American Library, 1981.

 

For discussion questions and vocabulary, see the main article (click here)

 

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