Study Tips from Geoffrey TJ Mathews, MSc, RCC
While you are studying…
Budget your time - Estimate how long it will take to complete each of your activities (reading a chapter, making flash cards, reorganizing class notes). Make up a schedule and stick to it.
Space test reviews - Break exam preparation into manageable amounts of time to avoid boredom and loss of concentration. Mix up activities (outlining, reviewing, etc.). Studying for six half-hour sessions is much more effective than studying for three straight hrs.
Take breaks – Everyone needs to take breaks during a study session. Take time to get a snack or watch TV for a little while every 30 min.
Attention and Concentration - To keep attention, study in a room that doesn’t have many distractions. If you’re studying on the computer, there’s a good chance you’ll be on Facebook a lot. To help concentration, choose a quiet environment with comfortable seats.
The actual material…
Reduce and organize information – No students are able to remember everything in their notes and books. Spend time reducing the information to major ideas, key words, and key phrases.
Word from general to specific - Review the main ideas in general terms first. Be sure to understand how the major topics are related. Then focus on the details for each major idea.
Recopying and reorganizing notes - It helps you identify main points and supporting details discussed in class. It gives you more chances for reviewing the test material.
Memorization Strategies
Paraphrase the information - Restating the information from your notes into your own words. It is easier to remember your own words than someone else's.
Focus on key words - When learning definitions of vocabulary terms or explanations of concepts, identify and memorize the key words only.
Memory Techniques
Association Associate the new information with prior knowledge and experiences
Rehearsal Go over the information repeatedly, reciting aloud or taking notes
Relevance Consider how the information is related to personal beliefs and experiences or to other aspects of the course
Mnemonics Use abbreviated words or phrases to remember lists of information
Test and retest yourself, working alone or with classmates. The most proven way to study for exams is practice tests. The sample questions allow you to see how you’re doing before the exam Ask your teachers for old exams if it’s possible.