STUDY SKILLS

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STUDY SKILLS
Pisgah High School Freshman Transition Program
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Lesson 1 Get Organized

• Good organization sharpens study skills.
  Different colored file folders and assignments
  and notes filed in a class-specific notebook are
  signs of organization.
• The Notebook. Notebooks make learning materials
  easy to find. Folders and binders with dividers
  are great to organize notes, assignments and test
  results. Have separate, labeled notebooks for
  each class.
• Assignments. Write down assignments for all
  classes in one designated place. Include due
  dates and important information for each one. Ask
  the teacher to explain unclear assignments and
  keep records of the grades received. Notice the
  types of assignments that need more work.

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Activity for Lesson One Organization Setting
Priorities
ACTIVITY ONE SETTING PRIORITIESFrom soccer
practice and homework to family meals and TV,
each day is busy and full. Learning how to
prioritize everyday tasks is a challenge even for
many adults. How do you set priorities? You have
the right to choose your own priorities, but some
may lead to better consequences than others.
Now do the Setting Goals worksheet and discuss
with the class.
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Lesson 2 Note Taking
Improving Your Note Taking Learning how to take
good notes in class is an important part of study
preparation. The information provided and topics
covered by your teacher are what you will be
studying. If you dont take good notes in class,
you wont know what to study once class is
over.The following tips can help you take
effective notes
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• Make clear and accurate notesClearly written,
  accurate notes help to capture information for
  later study and review. Often when taking notes
  in class, you will understand what the teacher is
  saying, so you will decide not to take clear and
  accurate notes, only to find out later that you
  can't remember what the teacher was saying and
  that your notes aren't clear or accurate enough
  for you remember the details of the lecture.
  Taking accurate and clear notes will (1) ensure
  that you understand the subject matter being
  discussed, (2) will help to concrete what is
  being taught in your mind and (3) will provide
  you the means to go back after class and review
  the subject matter being taught.

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• Compare your notesWhen class is over, compare
  your notes to those taken by other students.
  Sometimes other students will pick up on things
  discussed by the teacher that you missed or
  didn't find important. Comparing notes will help
  ensure that your notes are complete and accurate.
• Minimize distractionsIf you're serious about
  your education then you'll want to remove any
  distractions that keep you from concentrating on
  class lectures and taking copious notes. Sit
  close to the front of the room. Don't sit next to
  individuals you are tempted to talk to during
  class, and try to stay away from any other
  situation that would distract you during class.

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• Come to class preparedThere is nothing that will
  help you take better notes than coming to class
  prepared. Before coming to class make sure that
  (1) you have read all assigned readings and (2)
  that you have reviewed your notes from the
  previous class. Coming to class prepared will
  help you take much better notes. You'll be able
  to take more detailed notes on items you don't
  fully understand. You'll be able to ask questions
  that will lead to more accurate and useful note
  taking. And you'll be better prepared to learn
  new information not covered in previous class
  lectures.

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• Organize your notes
• Start each class with a clean sheet of paper.
• Put the day's date at the top of your notes along
  with any other relevant information (i.e. history
  notes, chemistry notes, etc.). This will help you
  to keep track of each days notes and increase
  your ability to go back and review your notes for
  exams and quizzes.

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• Use abbreviations and symbolsIn some classes it
  can be difficult to write down everything that
  the teacher is saying. Use short sentences and
  phrases and easily remembered abbreviations and
  symbols in order to make sure you're able to
  keep up.
• The following are few common abbreviations and
  symbols that students can use to speed up their
  note taking cf (compare), ie (that is), e.g.
  (for example), w/ (with), w/o (without), ,
  (and), (equals, is). There are numbers of other
  abbreviations that you can come up with to
  increase your note taking speed, but you must
  make sure you remember what each abbreviation is
  or make sure that you have a key that tells you
  what each abbreviation means. You texting experts
  will be good at this!

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• Write clearlyIt doesn't matter how many notes
  you can take if you can't make sense of your
  notes after the lecture is over. Make sure to
  write clearly -- especially if you're using
  abbreviations. Its also useful to leave plenty of
  blank space in the left margin or in between
  ideas or new concepts so that you can come back
  later and add more information.
• Review your notesReview your notes as soon as
  you can. Reviewing your notes directly following
  a lecture will make sure that (1) you understand
  your notes, (2) you understood the lecture and
  (3) you make concrete in your mind the concepts
  and information you learned.

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• Write down questionsQuite frequently you're
  going to find -- especially as you enter college
  -- that is can be difficult-- if not impossible--
  at times to understand everything the teacher is
  talking about. Make sure to write down any
  questions you have or concepts you didn't
  completely understand so that you can go back
  after class and ask the teacher specific
  questions or use reference resources to better
  understand difficult concepts.

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Lesson 3 Effective Listening
Learning requires listening. Learning effectively
requires effectively listening. Even though
listening is one of the most important skills for
effective learning, most people are not good
listeners. Since most of what you are required to
learn in school is going to be communicated by a
teacher, it is imperative that you learn to
listen. Dont make the mistake of thinking that
hearing and listening are the same thingthey are
very different. When you listen to what someone
is saying, you are not only hearing what they are
saying you are also processing what they are
saying. The following are tips for improving
your ability to listen
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• Listen for meaningPay attention not only to the
  words being spoken by your teacher but to the
  thoughts and messages they convey. Identify the
  main idea, concept, or subject being
  addressed--and the relating issues. Listen for
  explanations, descriptions, and clarifications.
  Again, don't just hear the words listen to the
  meanings being communicated.

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• Adjust your note taking style to the type of
  lesson

Poor listeners try to write down everything,
believing a detailed outline and effective notes
are the same thing. They get frustrated when they
cannot see the meaning behind what they are
writing down, or they go to review their notes
and don't understand the concepts that were
taught in class.
Effective listeners adjust their note-taking to
the lecture style. They listen to whats
important, they try to understand concepts, and
they take notes that clarify, organize, and
reiterate important details of the lecture.

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• Tackle difficult-to-understand material
• Frequently, when a teacher starts to speak on a
  topic or concept that is difficult to understand,
  students stop listening. They are hearing what
  the teacher is saying, but they are not
  processing the information they are hearing.
  Effective listeners tackle difficult material and
  expend the brain power required to process what
  they are hearingeven when it is difficult.

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• Concentrate and pay attentionPoor listeners
  frequently are poor concentrators. Effective
  listening requires that you concentrate and pay
  attention. Remove all thoughts of home, friends,
  fun, and ancillary activities from you head while
  the teacher is speaking. Learning to focus and
  concentrate will help you become an effective
  listener and a much more effective student.

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• Be preparedIt is difficult to listen and
  mentally process what you're hearing when you
  come to your class unprepared. If your teacher
  gives you a reading assignment or homework
  designed to prepare you to understand a topic,
  its important that you are familiar with the
  topic before it is discussed in class. Being
  ready to listen means being prepared for each
  class ahead of time.

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• Focus on what is importantPoor listeners focus
  on fact. They may retain a few of those facts,
  but the information is usually garbled. Effective
  listeners focus on main ideas, fundamental
  concepts and vital issues.
• Choose to be interestedOne of the most tell-tale
  signs of poor listeners is that they just can't
  find what the teacher is talking about to be
  interesting. As a consequence, they don't listen
  with real intent and often miss important topics
  and details being addressed. Good listeners are
  able to decide to be interested in the subject
  matter being addressed by the teacher. As a
  result, they listen more intently and
  effectively.

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Activity for Lesson Three LISTENING EFFECTIVELY

• Now we will do some activities that will help us
  to
• Improve Our Listening Skills
• Come to a Consensus (Group Decision)
• Follow Directions Better

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Lesson 4 Dealing With Test Anxiety
Its completely normal to experience anxiety at
some time or another we all do. And while we
may not enjoy feeling anxious, a little bit of
anxiety can be beneficial. A little bit of
anxiety helps to keep you motivated, focused, and
alert. However, too much anxiety may interfere
with your ability to study, learn, remember
things, and perform well when taking tests. Too
much anxiety about taking tests is referred to as
test anxiety. The following are a few tips for
dealing with too much test anxiety
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• Develop good study habits. Good study habits will
  not only prepare you to address test material,
  but they will also provide you with confidence
  that will help to reduce unhealthy test anxiety.
• Be prepared. Being totally prepared for a test is
  the most important thing you can do to reduce
  anxiety. Knowing that you know the material on
  the test will provide you the confidence you need
  to overcome anxiety and the ability to perform.
  You've got good reason to be overly anxious if
  you go into a test unprepared.
• Don't cram! Cramming for tests can lead to test
  anxiety. If you'll prepare for your test ahead of
  time, you'll be able to reduce a lot of test
  anxiety associated with last minute cramming.

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• Get adequate exercise
  Getting adequate exercise and
  staying in shape is believed to help sharpen the
  mind.
• Get plenty of sleep
  Getting a good night's
  sleep before an exam can help reduce test anxiety
  dramatically. Conversely, not getting a good
  nights rest before an exam will make you tired
  while taking an exam and will lead to increased
  test anxiety.
• Get plenty to eat
  Don't take an exam on an
  empty stomach. Its quite common not to want to
  eat before an exam due to anxiety. However, if
  you'll get a good meal before taking an exam,
  you'll experience less anxiety, and your mind
  will be more keen.

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• Create a Study Environment
• Real learning takes time and attention. Reinforce
  a consistent approach to learning by creating a
  specific place and routine time for studying.
  Don't forget to allow for breaks!
• Set a Place. Choose a place that is quiet with
  few distractions and that has pens, pencils,
  paper, a dictionary, and a ruler at hand. Study
  space should be well-lighted.
• Set a Time. Designate study time when you are
  alert, fresh, and relaxed and, ideally, at the
  same time daily. Don't forget short breaks to
  refresh the mind. During the break, take a walk
  outdoors or try deep breathing exercises.
  Research studies show that physical well-being
  promotes mental well-being and renewed energy.

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• Stay positive Don't focus on failing the test.
  Focus on acing the test, and you probably will.
  Thinking about what might happen if you fail will
  lead to unnecessary anxiety and just might become
  a self- fulfilling prophecy.
• Focus on the learning experience Don't think of a
  test as the final judgment. Rather, view each
  test as a learning experience, and you'll get
  much less stressed out.
• Stay relaxed Take slow, deep breaths and stay in
  control.

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Activity for Lesson Four Now do the STUDY
ENVIRONMENT worksheet.
For more information, see the Finding a Good
Place to Study Handout
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Lesson 5 Finding Your Learning Style

• There are many different learning styles and
  learning preferences. The most common include
• Visual Learning Style (the most common)
• Auditory Learning Style
• Tactile (Kinesthetic) Learning Style
  
  Additional learning
  styles and preferences include Logical
  (mathematical), Social (interpersonal), and
  Solitary (intrapersonal). There is no right mix,
  nor are your styles fixed. Some people may find
  that they have a dominant style of learning, with
  far less use of the other styles. Others may find
  that they use different styles in different
  circumstances. You can develop ability in less
  dominant styles, as well as further develop
  styles that you already use well.

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Visual Learning StyleIndividuals that learn
best when ideas or subjects are presented in a
visual format, whether that is written language,
pictures, diagrams or videos, are visual
learners. Visual learners usually learn best when
the teacher provides written study notes, writes
on the chalkboard, and uses an overhead projector
to explain concepts. Visual learners frequently
take detailed notes in class, when studying from
a textbook or listening to lectures. They also
create diagrams and use pictures to understand
and remember concepts and ideas. If this sounds
like you, then you are probably a visual learner.
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Auditory Learning StyleIf you learn best by
participating in class discussion, by listening
to your teacher lecture, listening to audio
tapes, or by listening to other language formats,
then you are probably an Auditory Learner.
Auditory Learners, unlike Visual Learners, are
able to learn, understand, and retain information
better when they hear it rather than see it.
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Tactile/Kinesthetic Learning StyleTactile
Learners, also commonly referred to as
Kinesthetic Learners, are hands-on learners. They
learn best when they are able to physically
participate directly in what they are required to
learn or understand. Tactile learners usually
excel when they are able to handle something in
order to learn about it. Tactile learners may do
especially well in classes where lab work is
required. Unlike Visual Learners, who learn by
seeing, and Auditory Learners, who learn by
hearing, Tactile Learners learn by touching and
feeling.
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Logical StyleIf you find that you like using
your brain for logical and mathematical
reasoning, you probably prefer the logical
learning style. Logical learners can recognize
patterns easily and are good at making logical
connections between what would appear to most
people to be meaningless content. If you're a
logical learner, you'll learn better if you
classify and group information.
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Social StyleIf social learning is your style,
you'll communicate well will others, both
verbally and non-verbally. You are good listeners
and are able to understand others views. People
listen to you and come to for advice. Social
learners prefer learning in groups or classes and
typically like to spend one-on-one time with a
teacher or an instructor.
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Solitary StyleIf you have a solitary style of
learning, you tend to be private, introspective
and/or independent. You're able to concentrate
and focus on a specific subject, topic, or
concept without outside help. You are very self
aware and able to analyze the different ways you
think and feel. Solitary learners prefer to work
on problems by retreating to somewhere quiet and
working through possible solutions by themselves.
However, solitary learners need to be careful, as
they may spend too much time trying to solve a
problem that they could more easily solve by
talking to someone or working with a group.
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Activity for Lesson Five Finding Your Learning
Style Now do the Learning Styles Activity to see
what your learning style is.
So why is identifying and understanding your
learning style so critical to your study
preparation? By knowing how you learn best, you
can select those classes, teachers, subjects,
college majors, and ultimate careers that appeal
to your unique way of learning things.
For more information, see the Types of Learners
handout.
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Lesson 6 Improving Your Memory
Remembering information is essential to your
ability to excel in school and later in your
career. If you are unable to remember what youve
learned, then you wont be able perform well on
tests, and you will be unable to apply what
youve learned in the real world. Remembering
information is an essential skill.The following
are a few proven tips and strategies for
improving your ability to remember information.
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• Make the information meaningfulOne of the most
  common reasons that students don't remember is
  because material is presented in a way that is
  confusing or doesn't make sense. Students who try
  to memorize information they don't fully
  understand struggle to remember what they've read
  or heard. Don't try to memorize the author's
  words. First, put the information you're reading
  or hearing into your words, as your own words are
  going to be meaningful and easy to understand. If
  you can't put information, a concept, or idea in
  your own words, its very unlikely that you're
  going to be able to remember the material for
  very long.

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• Organize the informationOrganizing material into
  to logical categories will help you learn,
  memorize, and recall information more
  effectively. For example, if you have several
  dates you need to remember for a history test,
  putting the dates in chronological order
  according to a sequential storyline can make
  recalling each date much easier. Instead of
  memorizing random dates, you associate each date
  with a specific event that leads to another
  event. Information that is well organized is much
  easier to learn and remember than information
  that is unorganized.

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• Use pictures to improve memoryMore often than
  not, a person's memory for pictures or images is
  far better than his or her memory for words.
  Creating a mental picture can enhance a person's
  memory of verbal and written information. Mental
  pictures are especially helpful when attempting
  to learn and remember abstract words and
  concepts. Try to create vivid mental pictures
  that represent the concept or term. When you
  employ pictures to learn verbal and written
  information, you are encoding the information in
  your memory system in two ways instead of just
  one. Consequently, your ability to remember the
  information is greatly enhanced.

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• Mnemonic devicesMnemonic devices are memory
  tricks that can be used to remember factual
  information, such as a list of words or phrases,
  and they often produce a visual image in the
  learner's mind. Some common mnemonic devices
  include acronyms (the most common), nonsense
  words, nonsense sentences, and rhymes.Creating
  an acronym is a good strategy to use to remember
  information in any order. An acronym is a word
  that is formed from the first letter of each fact
  to be remembered. It can be a real word or a
  nonsense word you are able to pronounce. For
  example, MADD is an acronym for Mothers Against
  Drunk Drivers (Destructive Decisions).

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Examples of Mnemonic Devices
Mnemonic for remembering the number of days in a
monthThirty days hath September,April, June,
and NovemberAll the rest have
thirty-oneExcepting February aloneWhich has
twenty-eight, that's fine,Till leap year gives
it twenty-nine.
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Mnemonic for remembering spellingI before E
except after C,and when sounding like "ay" as in
Neighbor or Weigh(unfortunately there are more
than 200 exceptions, including weird, and names
like Sheila and Freidman)
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Mnemonic for remembering Supreme Court Justices
in the order of when they were appointedSometime
s Kissing The Great Big Rabbit Actually Seems
KindScalia, Kennedy, Thomas, Ginsburg, Breyer,
Roberts, Alito, Sotomayor, Kagan Sure, its
silly, but thats OK!
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Here is a mnemonic for remembering the NEW list
of planets (post-Pluto) My Very Eager Mother
Just Served Us NutsMercury, Venus, Earth, Mars,
Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune Mnemonic for
remembering groupings of animals in
biologyKing Phillip Could Only Find Green
SocksKingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family,
Genus, Species Mnemonic for remembering the
notes in the treble clef The lines of the
clefEvery Good Bird Does Fly (E, G, B, D,
F) The spaces of the clefFACE
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Activity for Lesson 6 Creating Mnemonic Devices
to Improve Memory
Now read the Mnemonic Devices handout and do the
activity on the Mnemonic Devices Homework
worksheet.
(Cceiling Gground)