Study Skills

Overcoming Study Barriers

HUNGRY – Studying takes energy. Have a snack before you start studying. Have some healthy snacks available while studying.

TIRED – You cannot focus if you are tired. Take a short nap (10-15 minutes) before you begin to study.

NO TIME – Plan your study times. Use a specific time to study.

TOO MUCH GOING ON - Too many fun things going on. Study in a quiet place that is free from distractions and interruptions.

UNCOMFORTABLE – Too hot or cold. Find a study place where the temperature is just right.

The Key to Success

Think positively

Accept responsibility for motivating yourself!

Accept the fact that success comes from effort!

Reward yourself after completing a goal or task.

Learning is Doing

Research shows what as learners were take in:

10% of what we read

20% of what we hear

30% of what we see

50% of what we see and hear

70% of what we ourselves say

90% of what we ourselves do

Organise your Time

Allow enough time to complete homework

Study at the same time and place daily

Review and revise on a regular basis (not just before tests and exams)

Allot a period of time for assessment tasks rather than trying to do it all at once

Allocate time for non-academic activities

Your Learning Environment

Study in a quiet place

Minimise distractions

Ensure you study area is:- available when you need it- free from distractions and interruptions- contains all your study materials- contains a large enough work space- has a comfortable chair- has enough light- has a comfortable temperature

Learning Types

Know what type of learner you are. We all have a preferred way of learning but we may not be aware of it. Get to know your learning style and study in the way you learn best.

Auditory Learners: learn by listening. If you are an auditory learner you could try reading your notes aloud and discussing the with other people. You might like to record key point and play them back.

Visual Learners: learn by seeing. If you are a visual learner you could use colours in your notes and draw diagrams to help represent key points. You could try and remember some ideas as images.

Tactile/kinesthetic Leaners: learn by doing. If you are a tactile learner you could use methods like role-playing or building models to revise key points.

Perfectionistic Students

Errors and mistakes are a normal part of learning.

Time and energy needed to produce perfect work will take time and energy away from another task that needs to be completed.

Set reasonable goals for performance.

Finish assignments by setting realistic specific time limits for completion.

Tests as a Remembering Tool

Read a passage you need to learn

Write what you remember of what you have just read (called a retrieval test)

Read the passage you need to learn again

Do another retrieval test

These steps will help you retain the passage in the future

Improve your notetaking

Record

Reduce

Recite

Reflect

Review

Create a glossary of key terms

Tests and ExamsBefore the Exam During the Exam

• Get plenty of sleep the night before.

• Avoid students who will ask you questions before the exam. (This will only increase your anxiety.)

• Give yourself enough time in the morning for your regular routine.

• Be sure to read all instructions

• Give yourself positive, reassuring statements throughout the day (such as “you can do it”)

• Read each question twice, slowly.

• Quit studying at least half-an-hour before the exam and do something relaxing.

• Don’t change your answers. (Unless you are sure you were wrong first time.

• Avoid getting to class too early. (The time right before the exam is usually spent worrying about the test.)

• Skip questions you can’t answer and go back to them later.

Top Tips

Establish a routine

Create a study environment

Set a timetable

Reward yourself for studying

Have variety in your study programme

Avoid interrupting your concentration

Test yourself on what you have studied

Don’t panic at exam time

Ask your teachers for guidance

10 Effective Study Habits

1. Try not to do too much studying at one time.

2. Plan specific times for studying

3. Try to study at the same times each day

4. Set specific goals for your study times

5. Start studying when planned

6. Work on the most difficult task first

7. Review you notes before beginning an assignment

8. Tell your friends not to text during study times

9. Call another student when you are having difficulty

10.Review your school work over the weekend.