One important part of learning is to use a variety of
strategies and work with the material you want to learn in a variety of
ways. If you only do one thing, read and
reread for example, you will only know the information in that format and in
that order. To completely understand and
know the material you need to do several different types of things with the
material.
The basics are reading the textbook, listening to the
professor, writing notes, and reviewing the notes as soon as possible after
class. But this is not enough! Some further ideas are:
* Quiz yourself – after reviewing your notes, close your
notebook and restate what you just went over.
If you can, move forward. If you
cannot, read the notes again and restate again.
* Say the information out loud, either to yourself or explain
it to others in a study group.
* Rewrite your notes to make them more clear and
organized. Consider adding information
from the textbook.
* Outline the textbook.
* Put important information on study cards and review them
several times a week. (Remember to again
quiz yourself – look at the front, think about the answer, then look at the
back to check yourself.)
* To change things up, consider making the cards on a study
app on your computer or device.
* Make a review chart, concept map or timeline of the
material.
* If you like visuals draw pictures or add color to your notes
and study guides.
* Make use of practice quizzes available online with the
textbook.
* Go to any study group led by the professor or Peer
Educators/Supplemental Instruction leaders.
As you can see there are many study strategies or techniques
you can use. Next week we will look at
repetition – it was implied by several of the above ideas, but we will
specifically see why it is necessary.
Study well and often!
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First Semester
Success: Learning Strategies and Motivation for Your First Semester (or Any
Semester) of College, by Dr. Arden B. Hamer is available at
wordassociation.com, amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com.
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