How to Study

Classic passive study technique - “reading my notes” or “reading the text”

What’s wrong with that?
1. Takes too long (or not, if you have lousy notes).
2. You spend as much time on trivia as on key information, on what you already know as what you don’t know.
3. You are using someone else’s organization and language, which may be meaningless to you - “in one ear and out the other”.
4. You aren’t doing what the test will demand - on the test you will have recall and write, not read!
5. You don’t find out what you really know until you write the test, when it’s too late to do anything about it!
6. You’ll probably put yourself to sleep.


Memory Characteristics
Written language has led us to neglect our long term memory. Meaningless information is difficult to memorize. We remember the beginning and end of a list better. We remember lists better if we know how many items are in the list. We remember better things that are linked or associated.

Active Study Techniques
create lists and use mnemonics to memorize them
write study notes
create charts
make jigsaws, pin on labels to study diagrams and maps
practice skills
work with a partner!

Methods of Study
1. Cover and test method

This method is good for spelling, definitions, vocabulary lists, etc.
a) Read the material
b) Cover the material; either say it or write it.
c) Check to see which facts you omitted.
d) Cover and repeat.

2. Studying with a partner

3. Recite aloud
Just as reading aloud improves your concentration, reciting aloud will enable you to learn faster.
4. Study Notes
Put the main heading at the top of the page. In the margin put the sub-heading (or word to be defined). Beside it, put the facts or (or definition) in point form. Finally cover the points and test yourself as you look only at what is in the margin.

5. Be a Teacher --
Test YourselfOne of the most effective study methods is to prepare and then answer your own questions.
a) Study your notes well.
b) Prepare questions which you think the teacher could ask on the test. Get these questions f rom tests, f rom questions you make up, from homework questions.
c) Without looking at your notes, answer the questions.
d) Use you notes to "mark" you test.
e) Correct your errors.
f) If you have a friend in the same course, do each other's tests.

You will be surprised at the number of questions you made up that are the same as those on the real test! Remember: This technique works only after you have spent some time in actual study.

Will this work???