Writing Assignments• Chapter 1

– Write a short paragraph about what your would like to learn in the course

• Chapter 2– Academic Biography – write a couple of paragraphs

about your academic preparedness for college. Best or worst school experiences, anything about your schools you want to share.

• Chapter 3– Of the 4 main learning styles (Aural, Visual, Read/Write, or

Kinesthetic - write about what learning style you think you are and how you study.

Being an Effective Student Series

Marcus SimmonsSupportive Services Coordinator/Advisor –

Itawamba Community College

Being an Effective Student Series

Marcus SimmonsSupportive Services Coordinator/Advisor –

Itawamba Community College

Note takingTime Management & Organizational SkillsEffective Study SkillsTaking Exams or Tests

Being an Effective Student Series

Marcus SimmonsSupportive Services Coordinator/Advisor –

Itawamba Community College

This CD:

Effective Study Skills

Effective Study Skills and Tips

• Review – Do not study• Set a specific time and place to review each day• Use your textbook and SQ3R method (model

attached)• Make note cards, study guides, and concept

maps• Turn notes and textbook annotations into study

guides• Use spare minutes in the day to review and

study• If a commuter student – DO NOT leave for class

until your studying is completed• Create Study groups• Take advantage of all study groups, review

sessions, study guides, and instructor led study sessions

• Use your knowledge of how you learn and study best to study and learn more effectively

SQ3R – Survey, Question, Read,

Recite, and Review

This is an excellent method to use your notesOr your textbook to review and study for tests in any class.

Survey• The title, headings, and subheadings• Captions under pictures, charts, graphs,

and maps• Review questions or teacher made

study guides• Introductory and concluding paragraphs• Summary

Question• Turn the title, headings, and subheadings

into questions• Read the questions at the end of the

chapters or after each subheading• Ask yourself. “What did my instructor say

about this chapter or heading?”• Ask yourself, “What do I already know about

this subject?”

Note: if it is helpful to you, write these questions for consideration.

Read• Look for the answers to the questions

you first created• Answer the questions at the end of

the chapters or headings• Re-read the captions under the

pictures, graphs, etc.• Note all of the underlines, italicized,

bold printed words, or phrases• Study graphic aids• Reduce your reading speed for difficult

sections• Stop and re-read parts that are not

clear• Read only one section at a time and

“RECITE” (next step) before reading on further

Recite• Orally ask and answer questions or orally

paraphrase what you have just read• Take notes from the text, but write them

in your own words• Underline or highlight important points

you read

Special Note: Triple your learning by: Seeing saying,

and hearingQuadruple your learning by: Seeing,

saying, hearing, and writing

Review• DAY 1

– After you have read and recited the whole chapter, write questions for all main point you highlighted

– If you took notes while reciting, make questions for those

• DAY 2– Page through the text and your notes to

acquaint yourself again with the material– Orally recite and answer the question from

memory– Make flashcards– Develop mnemonic devices for recall later

• DAYS 3, 4, and 5– Alternate between flashcards and notes and

review• WEEKEND

– Create a study sheet for all of the material covered

– Organize the materials

SQ3R formSurvey – Record important titles and subtitles in the section Question – Write- Who, what, when, where, and why Questions for the topics Read – Write answers to the questions above Recite – Record any key facts from the questions above Review – On paper write or re-write a summary of the information from the section in your own words.

A.S.P.I.R.E System• A – Approach/Attitude/Arrange

– Make sure you approach your classes and studies with a positive attitude• S – Select/Survey/Scan

– Select a reasonable amount to study at one time– Survey the headings, graphs, and pre/post questions– Scan the text for key words

• P – Piece together the parts– Put aside your books and notes, and try to piece together all of the material orally or by

writing• I – Investigate/Inquire/Inspect

– Investigate alternative sources of information (internet or library)– Inquire from professionals– Inspect what you did not understand

• R – Reexamine/Reflect/Relay– Reexamine the material, reflect on what it means, and relay the information to a

classmate• E – Evaluate/Examine/Explore

– Evaluate your grades on tests and assignments– Examine the progress you are making– Explore options; tutoring, the Success Center, the Writing Center, etc…

Flashcards• Flashcards can be used in many

different ways: – Use them in small packs of 10 or less – Increase the level of difficulty– Use small cards 3x5 are the best

• Use as a note taking strategy • Use as a matching game• Use for a quick review• Use pictures or diagrams instead of words• http://www.flashcardmachine.com/2661717/w96a

INDEX Study System

• Similar to the Flashcard method, the Index Study system is used for short answer or essay answer questions. – Place the question on one side of the

card then write the answer completely on the other side.

Memory Techniques• Acronyms – An invented or real word with each

letter representing a word in a group that you need to remember. – MADS (Multiplication, Addition, Division,

Subtraction)• Acrostics – A sentence created in which the first

letter or each word is used to remember a word you need to learn. – Marcus And David Swim (Multiplication, Addition, Division,

Subtraction)• Image Name Technique – Associate a picture with

someone or something you need to remember. – David Letterman (picture an man delivering a letter)

Conclusion Try the other of this

series: • Time Management &

Organizational Skills• Note Taking• Taking Exams or Tests

Marcus Simmons Supportive Services Coordinator/Advisor Student Support Center – Room 123 E mgsimmons@iccms.edu

Assignment• Create an Acronym for something

you are currently studying – or • Create an Acrostic for something

you are currently studying.

ReferencesDeveloping your studying method. (n.d.) Certification Crazy. Retrieved January 6, 2006 from, http://www.certification-crazy.net/study- advice%20method.htm

Doyle, B. (2004). Effective study techniques. Retrieved January 6, 2006 from Arkansas State University web site: http://www.clt.astate.edu/bdoyle/effective_studytechniques.htm

Ellis, D. (2006). Becoming a master student. (11th ed.). New York: Houghton Mifflin Company.

Landsberger, J. (2005). The SQ3R reading method. Study Guides and Strategies. Retrieved February 10, 2006 from, http://www.studygs.net/texred2/htm

Lorphevre, T. (2005). Core Skills Survival Guide. Retrieved February 10, 2006 from London South Bank University Core Skills Survival Guide web site: www.lsbu.ac.uk/caxton

Note taking system. (n.d). Retrieved February 10, 2006 from California Polytechnic State University web site: http://www.sas.calpoly.edu/asc/ssl/html

Richards, R. (2002). Memory strategies for students. LDOnLine. Retrieved October 4, 2005 from, www.ldonline.org/ld_indepth/teaching_techniques/memory_strategies.htm

Seidman, A. (2005). Program justification. Learning Support Centers in Higher Education. Retrieved February 2, 2006 from, http://www.pvc.maricopa.edu/~lsche/resources/program_just.htm

Test taking and anxiety. (2001). Retrieved January 6, 2006 from Pennsylvania State University Learning Center web site:http://www.ulrc.psu.edu/studyskills/test_taking.html