REVIEW - Refine your
mental organization and begin building memory.
Once you've finished the entire chapter using the preceding steps, go
back over all the questions from all the headings. See if you can still answer
them. If not, look back and refresh your memory, then continue.
REMEMBER: THE INFORMATION YOU GAIN FROM READING IS IMPORTANT.
IF YOU JUST "DO IT" WITHOUT LEARNING SOMETHING, YOU'RE WASTING A
LOT OF TIME.
TRAIN YOUR MIND TO LEARN!!!
Other Out of Class Study Tips
Class is out and the weekly lecture is over, but the work has just
begun. Consider the following tips when it's time to hit the books and study
what's in your lecture notes and textbooks.
Understand how you learn
Understanding and using your learning strengths and adjusting the settings
in your study environment to suit you will make your study sessions more effective.
For example, are you a morning or a night person? Figure out what time of day
you study most efficiently and schedule your studying time for those times of
day. Trying to study when you're sleepy or distracted isn't the best idea.
Be selective in your reading
If you'd like to be quicker in doing your reading, keep in mind that
only some material is worth studying, and the rest is just worth skimming. Begin
with an overview and getting a bigger picture and context of the book or reading
by skimming through:
- The table of contents;
- Book jacket;
- Introduction and conclusion;
- Key chapters;
- First and last paragraphs of each chapter.
This will give you a sense of the overall theme of the book and the
main point the author is making. Comprehension of where the author is going
will help your speed of reading.
Ask questions continually
As you read, constantly be asking what's important and what's worth
your attention. How does chapter relate to overall purpose of book? Is it a
side road or central to the plot/thesis?
Focus on and mark key points
As you read, focus on key points and passages and mark them for quick
reference. Underlining slows you down, so put marks in the margins. Use asterisks
or arrows by key points, numbers for sequence of events.
Learn how to take breaks
Instead of talking on the phone, watching TV or surfing the Internet
as a procrastination tool, avoid the guilt and plan activities you like as breaks
and rewards. Set a goal of reading a certain amount of pages or completing a
certain number of problems. When you've accomplished your goal, reward yourself
by taking a break and doing something you enjoy. Think of things you'd like
to do and make them incentives. Plan smaller breaks for smaller tasks and larger
rewards for larger goals.
Learn to like what you do
Remember why you're doing it and why it's important. Is it a required
class for your degree? Remind yourself of the career you'll have down the road
with the help of that degree.
Study with a friend
Enlist a friend and study that dreaded subject together. If you're not
spending the time loving the subject, at least you'll be spending the time with
someone you at least like! Be accountable to that friend when you're not studying
with them. Tell them if you call them up to just chat, they should ask you if
you've done your reading first before they will chat.
References
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