SURVIVING AP PSYCHOLOGY Warning: Information presented may lead to higher grades & lower anxiety!

5 Things You Need To Know

¨  Your particular learning style. ¨  How to read a textbook & take notes. ¨  How to take useful notes during lecture. ¨  How to study effectively for exams. ¨  How to write good papers & free response

answers.

Your Learning Style

¨  Verbal – read text, read notes, listen to lecture ¨  Visual – diagrams, pictures, charts, doodles ¨  Auditory– listen, group discussion, lectures, make songs ¨  Tactile / Kinesthetic – “hands-on” activities,

demonstrations, re-writing note summaries ¨  Existential – read learning objectives, relate content to

your life ¨  Interpersonal – study and work in groups ¨  Intrapersonal – study alone

Reading the Textbook – A Must

¨  Reading the assigned material before class is most essential – my lessons are designed to build on what you have already read.

Reading Textbooks – Not Meatloaf

¨  Read slowly & pay attention to all details with the SQ3R Method: ¤  Survey – look at chapter outline, objectives, headings, & skim

summary ¤ Question – Try turning the section headings into questions for you

to answer as you read ¤  Read – As you read, take outline notes of the main points and

terms. Organize your notes by section, and highlight or underline key terms

¤  Recite – Recite out loud to yourself the main ideas you just read (and break every 10-20 minutes)

¤  Recall/Review – After chapter is completed, take some time to recap main points, complete chapter quizzes, and read the chapter summary

How to Take Notes While Reading

¨  Organize your notes with headings, subheadings, and plenty of space between sections

¨  Re-write the main ideas in your own words ¨  Avoid full sentences or paragraphs ¨  Highlight or underline in different color the

vocabulary terms ¨  Leave spaces between sections for class notes ¨  Read back over your notes after you finish taking

them – this will increase comprehension and memory

How to Take Class Notes

¨  Leave space in your textbook notes to add on to your notes in class. Skip lines within sections and skip a page or half a page between assigned readings.

¨  Write down main points in your own words from the Powerpoint, board, or discussions alongside the notes you have from your textbook.

¨  Your role in understanding the content is to merge together your readings and class information seamlessly in your notes.

Studying for Exams – No cramming!

¨  Briefly review and study material every day – this will be rewarded with good grades and bonus points on pop quizzes!

¨  Plan extended study time at least a week in advance of tests, with breaks included.

¨  Prepare for factual recall, applying information to new contexts/examples, and conceptual questions about how content relates to other content.

¨  Make use of study materials in the textbook, practice book, and online.

Writing Papers & Free Response

¨  Tips for writing term papers will be covered in the future.

¨  For free response, the key is to be specific, include details and vocabulary terms, and explain concepts clearly and concisely.

You Will Survive AP

¨  The tips presented here are crucial, and if followed consistently, you will do well.

¨  The key is CONSISTENCY.

Important Websites

¨  Class website

¤ http://acpahouser.weebly.com/

¨  Textbook companion site

¤ www.mypsychlab.com

And Now A Book Tour..

¨  Table of Contents ¨  Index ¨  Chapter Openings / Outline ¨  Learning Objectives ¨  Student Voice Questions ¨  Running Glossary / Vocab Terms ¨  MyPsychLab links ¨  Concept Maps ¨  Practice Quizzes ¨  Chapter Summary ¨  Test Yourself