The Two Parts of "Studying"

When you sit down to “study" there really are two parts to the process: understanding and learning.  You cannot learn something if you do not understand it first!  Here are some strategies for each step.  Many strategies overlap!

Understanding

·         Go to class!  (What a surprise!)
·         Read
·         Take notes – from textbooks and in class
·         Look for the organization of the material
·         Look for associations between class and book and among all classes
·         Rewrite you lecture notes and combine with textbook information
·         Put the information into study guides (concept maps, review charts, time lines, Venn Diagrams, etc.)
·         Use recitation (restate in your own words from memory) when reviewing notes and reading textbook
·         Go to tutoring or Supplemental Instruction (talk to someone else about the information)

Learning

·         Again – recitation!
·         Make study cards
·         Practice recalling the information multiple times spread throughout the time leading up to the exam
·         Make and take a practice test
·         Use any practice quizzes/exams on the book’s website
·         Do the practice problems/questions in the textbook

Studying takes time and effort!  Interact with the material in multiple and varied ways and you will be great!

*****

First Semester Success: Learning Strategies and Motivation for Your First Semester (or Any Semester) of College, by Dr. Arden B. Hamer, is available at amazon.com, wordassociation.com and barnesandnoble.com.   Click on the upper right link.