STUDY SKILLSSTUDY SKILLS

Presented byPresented by Bui Thi Khoi Bui Thi Khoi NguyenNguyen

October 12, 2008October 12, 2008

1) Have Clear Goals2) Stay Physically and Emotionally

Healthy3) Choose a Professor Carefully4) Make Good Use of the Library5) Get Involved in Campus Life6) Manage Your Money/ Your Time

HOW TO SUCCEED HOW TO SUCCEED IN COLLEGE?IN COLLEGE?

QUESTIONSQUESTIONS

What are your own ideas about what a “skill” is and how study skills are developed? Do we need study skills?

DATA ANALYSIS•Statements:1) We can study

well without study skills.

2) Study skills are innate skills.

3) We need to be naturally clever if we want to get good study results.

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Question1

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Agree Don't know Disagree

OUTLINEOUTLINE

DEFINITION

COMPONENTS STRATEGIES PLANS

EFFECTIVE STUDY SKILLS

STUDYINGTIPS

I. DEFINITIONI. DEFINITION

1) A skill: is a learned activity - something that you can develop through practice and reflection.

2) Study skills: involve developing personal qualities such as awareness, commitment, determination, perseverance, self-motivation, time management, positive thinking.Reference Source: “The Study Skills Handbook” by Stella Cottrell

II. COMPONENTS

1) Self-awareness and self- evaluation2) Awareness of what is required3) Methods, organization and strategies4) Confidence and permission5) Familiarity: Practice and habit

Being “naturally clever”?

III. STRATEGIES FOR DEVELOPING YOUR STUDY

SKILLS Main steps:1) Identifying your current skills and

qualities. (Something you do well, difficulties you overcame, personal achievements…)

2) Evaluating your skills and setting priorities.

3) Practicing and monitoring your progress

C-R-E-A-M STRATEGY:

(Creative- Reflective- Effective- Active-

Motivated)

WHAT IS YOUR WHAT IS YOUR PREFERRED LEARNING PREFERRED LEARNING

STYLE?STYLE?1) Are you an Auditory Learner? Learn best with information presented in an auditory language format: reading aloud or talking things out.

2) Are you a Visual Learner? Learn best with information presented in a written language format or in another visual format such as pictures or diagrams, writing at chalkboard, clear

handouts, and extensive use of an overhead projector.3) Are you a Tactile Learner? Learn best in hands-on learning settings in which they can physically manipulate something in order to learn about it.

Your learning style is your strength!

EFFECTIVE LEARNINGEFFECTIVE LEARNING Examples of ineffective learning:a) Work when you are too tired to

concentrate.b) Listen or read without questioning

and challenging what you hear or read.

c) Sit down to study but let your mind wander to other matters.

d) Learn things off by heart without really understanding them.

e) Don’t ask for help when you need it.f) Don’t make connections between

what you learn in different subject areas

g) Don’t relate your study to real life.h) Worry that other people have taken

far more notes than you.i) Lock yourself away to work solidly

EFFECTIVE STUDY EFFECTIVE STUDY SKILLSSKILLS

"Practice doesn't make perfect; perfect practice makes perfect." !!!!

Developing creative and critical analytical thinking skills

The SQ3R method: Survey, Question, Read, Recite, Review.

Taking NotesTaking Notes Managing the timeManaging the time Studying in groupsStudying in groups

Making and revising a scheduleMaking and revising a schedule that meets your needs and sav that meets your needs and saves time: Effective diary–keepines time: Effective diary–keepingg

EFFECTIVE DIARY-EFFECTIVE DIARY-KEEPING: (a complete and KEEPING: (a complete and

updated record)updated record)- Write all study deadlines, exam

dates, important days…- Write where, with whom each

appointment or lecture is.- Add in very specific study tasks.- Schedule some free time to

review what got missed.- Map the times to discuss, think,

prepare for the subject.

Taking NotesTaking Notes

1) Get Ready to Take Notes (Before Class)

2) Take Notes (During Class) 3) Rewrite Your Notes (After

Class)

STUDY GROUPSSTUDY GROUPS • Each group member contributes to

discussions.• Group members actively listen to

each other without interrupting.  Only one group member speaks at a time.

• The other group members work collaboratively to resolve any concern raised by a group member.

• Group members are prompt and come prepared to work.  

• The group stays on task with respect to its agenda. 

• Group members show respect for each other.

• Group members feel free to criticize each other but keep their criticisms constructive.  This can encourage group members to reveal their weaknesses so that they can strengthen them.

•Group members feel free to ask questions of each other.

•At the end of each study session, an agenda including specific group member responsibilities is prepared for the next session.

•Above all, the positive attitude that “we can do this together” is maintained.

Powerful Studying TipsPowerful Studying Tips • Study Space: avoid distractions/arrange items

where you can reach them easily.• Study Habits: Prioritize and stick to it ! • Preparing for Class: use highlighter!• The Classroom: sit near the front of the class,

Think! Writing down each word is a WASTE OF TIME, Don't be afraid to ask the teacher or friends.

• Memory Strategies: we remember 90% of what we read, hear, see, say and do. (FLANAGAN(1997))

• Revision Strategies:

• Test/Examination Taking: try the "memory

dump" technique • •

REVISION STRATEGIESREVISION STRATEGIES

1) Have a revision mentality for the whole term:

+clear, visual, colorful and memorable notes

+ review at regular intervals/don’t wait until the last minute!

2) Use time carefully:+ draw up a revision timetable

and priority organizer.

3) Keep a positive mindset: See difficulties as challenges to devise new strategies.

4) Work with others: arrange revision sessions with friends

5) Ask for help6) Use memory triggers7) Record yourself answering

questions.8) Stay healthy

TAKING EXAMINATIONSTAKING EXAMINATIONS

1) Objective Examinations:• Surveying• Knowing the Ground Rules: Always read

directions!

• Answering Easy Questions First• Picking out Key Words: Learn to spot the

key words in the statement that define the meaning

• Reading Multiple-Choice Questions: Eliminate obvious false choices

• Reading Other Types of Questions: If you don't know the answer, give it your best guess!

2) Essay Examinations:Planning your time!• Follow directions• Choose the ones you know most

about• Prepare an outline of your

answers: do a "memory-dump." • Answering essay questions directly • Good handwriting • Pay attention to Grammar,

punctuation, and spelling

THE D-E-T-E-R THE D-E-T-E-R STRATEGY FOR TAKING STRATEGY FOR TAKING

TESTSTESTS

•D = Directions •E = Examine •T = Time•E = Easiest•R = Review

IV. PERSONAL IV. PERSONAL DEVELOPING DEVELOPING

PLANNING PLANNING

•Reflection: think deeply who you are, who you want to be, what you want, why you want it..

•Increasing self-awareness: of your strengths, inspirations, qualities, ambitions…

•Finding opportunities and choices that broaden your perspective.

•Taking personal responsibility: for your own education, choices and forward learning.

Developing a strategy to get where you want to be: targets, take action, develop skills, review position.

YOUR WILLINGNESS TO WANT TO IMPROVE AND DO WELL IN SCHOOL.

Work Smart, not hard!