study skills
DESCRIPTION
TRANSCRIPT
I have enough time to make a real difference
I CAN do it
I WILL do it
THERE IS NO SUCH THING
AS A BAD MEMORY
How often should I revise?
10mins 1day 1 week 3 weeks
Time
Recall
100%
75%
50%
25% no review
Review times are crucial
10 mins
1 day
1 week
3 weeks
Review times are:
10 minutes1 day
1 week
3 weeks
The most important points about revision are that it must:
•OCCUR OFTEN
•BE REPEATED AT THE RIGHT INTERVALS
Methods of revision
Actually DO something ACTIVELY
Eight methods:
Find the one(s) that work for
you
do
hear
read
say
see
We remember20 % of what we read
30 % of what we hear40 % of what we see50 % of what we say60 % of what we do AND
90 % of what we read, see, hear, say & do
1. Use a highlighter pen on your notes
a) highlight the main points
THEN
b) recite the main ideas
AND
c) write out formulae, definitions, vocabulary
2. Make a list of the major points of each topic
This helps youa) Break the work into smaller chunksb) focus more on the main points you have to remember
Make lists of the major points using the following methods:
a) numbering
For example, for the forces topic in Physics
1. Velocity = distancetime
in m/s
2. Distance-time graphs;
t
d
constantvelocity
stood still
t
d
3. Gradient of a d-t graph is the velocity
4. Thinking distance=dist. travelled whilst thinking about stopping
b) Spider diagrams (sometimes called Mind Maps)
FORCES
stopping distance = thinking distance + braking distance
a=change in vel.
time
in m/s/s
acc. due to gravityis 10 m/s/s
v-t graphs:
t
vconst. acc.
v
t
const. vel.
v = d in m/st
Work (in J) =
Force x distance
Weight = mass x force of gravity(W=mg in N)
Weight is a forceg = 10 N/Kg
how to draw spider diagrams:
(i) Start in the middle of the page, with page sideways(this gives your brain maximum room for its thoughts)
(ii) Draw a small picture/symbol FIRST(a picture is worth 1000 words to the brain)
(iii) Try to use at least 3 colours(you remember more when it is in colour)
(iv) Keep adding more facts and detail to the branches
Always read a mind map from the CENTRE outwards
you should use mind maps for:
• Taking notes from books
• Brainstorming (when you are recalling info.)
• Planning essays (then number the branches so youknow the order you will use them in)
• Solving problems (it helps you recall, when your mind goes blank)
3. Really learn MAPS
GRAPHSt
d
DIAGRAMS
WHY?• it makes ideas clearer• it saves a lot of words!
The most important points about revision are that it must:
• OCCUR OFTEN
• BE REPEATED AT THE RIGHT INTERVALS
4. Group things together, and LEARN THEM THAT WAYLEARN THEM THAT WAY
e.g. Parts of the eye are:
cornea lens retina optic nerve brain
in that order, as light goes through.
Other parts can then fit logically into your group,
like iris (to control amount of light)pupil (to let light in)
ciliary muscle (to change size of lens)
5. Get good at making up mnemonics
e.g.
cornea lens retina optic nerve brain
Can Lame Ravens Open Bags??
6. Study cards are great:
carry them with you and use them any spare moment you have
Series circuits Parallel circuits•one light out, rest stay on
•all lamps same brightness
•current increases as add more lamps
•resistance decreases as add more resistors
•one light out, all go out
•get dimmer with more lamps
•current same all way around
•resistance increases as add more resistors
•lamps share p.d. •lamps get same p.d. as battery
You can put questions on the front of study cards,
with answers on the back!
The most important points about revision are that it must:
•OCCUR OFTEN
•BE REPEATED AT THE RIGHT INTERVALS
THERE IS NO SUCH THING
AS A BAD MEMORY
7. When you have a lot of notes, or a wordy text:
7 steps to success
Step 1: Scan (i.e. “quick read”) for 10 minutes
Step 2 : Scan again, but now write down the main points or highlight them
Step 3 : Now carefully read each section, adding to your main points
Step 4: Try to recall the important points from memory, reciting them to yourself
Step 5: Go over things you cannot recall
Step 6: Repeat steps 3,4 and 5 until you are sure you KNOW IT
Step 7: Make a list of things you have difficulty with, and ask your teacher for help
IF YOU CANNOT RECALL THE
IMPORTANT POINTS YOU HAVE NOT LEARNED THE
MATERIAL
•Say things out loud to help you REMEMBER•Record things on tape, and play it back when you are at home, in the car etc.
•Don’t avoid the hard stuff; it won’t go away!
•Don’t kid yourself that you know something. REALLY knowing it means you can recall it anytime
GOLDEN RULES
•Don’t study with music on- you need QUIET in order to CONCENTRATE
•REAL revision MAKES YOUR BRAIN HURT
THERE IS NO SUCH THING
AS A BAD MEMORY
8 . Find a “study buddy”
•They can makes notes on one topic, whilst you do another; you then share the work
•Swap study cards
•Test each other
•Your friend might understand something you don’t, and vice versa
8 methods, 8 keys to success:
1. Use a highlighter pen
2. Number things, and use mind maps3. Really learn maps, graphs, diagrams
4. Group things in logical order
5. Get good at making up mnemonics6. Make “study cards”
7. Use the “7 steps” method for wordy texts
8. Find a “study buddy”
I have enough time to make a real difference
I CAN do it
I WILL do it