Thanksgiving Break

You all are probably looking forward to Thanksgiving break.  For some of you this may be the first break you have had this semester.  Some schools have a mid-fall break, while others go straight through to Thanksgiving.

One thing you will soon discover is that it is very hard to study and do class work when you are home over break.  There are many other things to do; sleep in your own bed, visit family and friends, sleep some more, etc.   You simply will not feel like studying.

Here are  few ideas to help you keep up with your studies:

•  Before you get home, plan specific times when you will study.
• Go to your local library or Starbucks where the atmosphere will be more "academic."
• Tell your family and friends that you have to study and get their help to keep you on target.
• Do your work early in the break - don't wait until the last day.

If you have a big exam when you return or if there is a subject that you are really working hard on, it is important that you review that material 20 minutes or so each day.  If not, you will have to relearn everything when you get back to classes.

Enjoy yourself!  Rest, relax and get energized for the final push of the semester!

Academic Reading Process Step III

Hopefully after reading the previous two blogs, you have added a few strategies to your reading process.  Now you are finished reading the assignment, but you are not done yet!

By simply spending a little more time with the material, you will greatly enhance your retention.  Here are some suggestions:

1.  Review!  This will just take a few minutes.  To review, reread some of the following:

• Margin notes
• Headings and sub-headings
• Bold print words

2.  If available, test yourself using any learning objectives that were are the beginning of a textbook chapter.

3.  If you really need/want to know the material, you can also make a sutdy guide.  Try one of these formats:

• Outline
• Concept map/mind map
• Study cards
• Question and answer
• Time line (does not work for every topic)
• Review chart

The point is to pause and review.  This helps the informaiton move into your long-term memory and stay there.  Try it!