Study+skills


 * The following suggestions **

** will help you improve your study skills ** Remember you do not have to do all of this at once. Learn them and be familiar with the suggestions. Make them a habit one at a time. It will become easier to do your work and you will have to take so much time studying.  SET UP A SCHEDULE.  For classes that are harder, make sure you give yourself more time to study or do homework. .

 START STUDYING FOR 10-15 MINUTES AT A TIME AND THEN BUILD UP TO LONGER PERIODS OF TIME.  Start reading/studying for 10-15 minutes. Then build on that by 10 minutes once you become comfortable studying for at least an hour at a time. So work hard  TAKE BREAKS.  Take breaks when studying. Do not attempt to cram! Study small portions of material, take a break and then study some more. You will retain more information when you break it down into smaller portions that you can manage

 FIND A GOOD LOCATION.  Where you study can determine how much concentrate. __Make sure the place is comfortable__, __but not too comfortable.__ Sitting at a desk or table is best. Avoid lying across the bed.  USE THE SAME PLACE FOR STUDYING.  This will help you with your memory when it is time for a test. It will also help you to concentrate better, because you will be in a routine or habit of studying in the same place.

 MAKE SURE IT IS A QUIET PLACE.  Having a quiet place to study is also important. Playing your favorite CD, or radio station, or even the TV will get in the way of you concentrating on your studies.

 ELIMINATE THE OBVIOUS DISTRACTIONS . Talking on the telephone is a major distraction when you are trying to study. Other distractions that you should look out for are the radio, TV, video games, family talking around your study area. Even seeing your books for another class can distract you. So put them away until you are ready to study for the next class. Once you get rid of, as many distractions as you can you will improve you study skills.

 EMOTIONAL MOODS. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 18px;">Try studying in a similar emotional mood you have during a test. This also increases your memory during testing. When __you are too relaxed during studying it does not match the same level of emotions as when testing__. This also works in reverse. If you are too psyched-up or tensed during your test, you will not be able to remember what you studied. This is why it is important that you learn to calm yourself down during tests.

** Effective Reading ** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 18px;">If you know how to read a textbook, you will understand and remember what you have read. <span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 18px;">SCAN: <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 18px;"> Scan the chapter in the book. Look at the boldface terms, charts, graphs, headings & subtitles, maps, photos & illustrations, summary, and review questions. Scanning provides you with information in a short amount time. You get a quick view of the information and it prepares you for what you are about to read. It makes it easier when more understandable when you actually do read.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 18px;">There are 3 simple tools that you can do to read more effectively. **

<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 18px;">READ: <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 18px;"> When you read, have a purpose. This helps you to stay focused and understand what you have read. Ask yourself questions as you read. “What does this word mean?, Why is this event important?, etc.” You are a detective while you read. Looking for answers to your questions while you read. When you finished reading you should have answered all of your question and the review questions.

<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 18px;">REVIEW: <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 18px;"> Once you have finished reading, take the time to go one set further. Go through the __scanning process__ again and look at the __bold words__, italicized words, __charts, pictures, headings__, etc. Make sure you understand what you have read. You will be amazed how much you remember when it is time to review for the test. http://www.coedu.usf.edu/zalaquett/Help_Screens/study_skillsMHS.htm