Study Skills

Preparing to Study

Choose a quiet, well-lit place free of interruptions.
Keep a supply of study materials you may need, including pens, pencils, references, and calculator.
Select an area which has enough room and storage space.
Keep the area free of clutter. Use the same place for studying every day.
Turn off the TV, cell phone, radio and computer. No distractions!

Organization

Use an assignment book or an agenda planner to write down homework, test and project due dates.
Clean out book bags and lockers on a regular basis.
Keep all notes, handouts and materials on one subject together in the same folder/binder. Color coding folders and notebooks by subject can be helpful.
A three-ring binder is great for keeping handouts, notes and tests arranged in a certain order.

Time Management

Determine the goals and priorities in your schedule.
Using your agenda book, plan a weekly study schedule, taking into account upcoming tests, quizzes and project due dates.
Break up tasks into manageable and meaningful chunks.
Stay up to date with class assignments.
Review class notes and assignments daily.

Active Participation

Try to sit in a position in class which will maximize your attention and minimize distractions.
Be an active listener. Pay attention to class discussions, take notes and participate in class discussions.
Maintain an open dialogue with your teachers. When you do not understand something, request clarification during class or after school during clinic.

Taking Notes

Preview chapter by skimming headings, vocabulary, charts, graphs, pictures and chapter summaries.
Read the text carefully. A single reading is usually not enough. Re-reading is critical.
Annotate the text in your own words, making sure to include key concepts and vocabulary. Keep a record of what you do not understand, so you can request clarification from a teacher.
Date your notes and add headings for easy referencing.
Review notes by rereading, highlighting, or rewriting key points.

Test-Taking Tips

Plan a study schedule, keeping in mind the date of the test, the topics covered, the type of questions (matching, multiple choice, true/false, short essay) which will be on the test and the text pages covered.
Daily review is essential-learning is more efficient when material is covered on a regular basis, rather than during one long session.
Staying up to date on assignments will help you learn consistently and efficiently.
Read through the test first, and ask questions on anything that is unclear. Take note of the scoring system, paying close attention to questions that are worth more points.
Answer the easiest questions first, making sure that the answers are recorded in the correct place. Then concentrate on the questions that are more difficult.
Read over your answers carefully before handing in the test.
When you receive the test back, request from the teacher any help you may need on correcting and learning from your mistakes. Make sure you go over these again, to make sure you can answer those problems on your own.

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