Collaboration Between Writer and Reader

As you are reading your textbooks and other material, you are not alone.  The writer is working along with you.   A good writer keeps you, the reader, in mind and leaves clues so that their point is easy to follow.   There are several types of clues:

Signal words – These are small words that help you follow along with the writer’s ideas.  Some examples are first, second, next, finally, on the other hand, but, however.  An earlier blog discussed these words in more depth.

Bold print – The writer uses bold print to let you know that something is important.

Margin notes – Many textbooks explain important information in the margins.

White space – It is easier to read something that has some breaks so that your eyes get a rest.  White space can also be used to set apart information that is important or indicate a break in the information or change of direction.

Your job, as the reader, is to be on the alert for these clues.  As you are reading, be seeking meaning and looking for how the writer has organized and presented the information.

Interestingly, this idea will improve your own writing.  Keep your reader in mind and write so that the reader has an easy time of following along and your writing will be more clear and understandable.

The Big Picture

When you are learning new material, it is a lot easier if you understand The Big Picture.  You will be able to see how all of the information fits together and it will be easier to remember the small details.  The Big Picture is important at all stages of learning; from the first exposure to the material through reviewing for an exam.   Here are some strategies that are helpful:

* Before starting to read a textbook chapter, preview it by looking at the learning objectives or chapter outline, the headings, any bold print, etc.

* When you are reading anything, in the back of your mind be thinking of the overall article as well as the details.

* Look for the organization of the information.  Are there two opposing viewpoints in the article?  Is it in chronological order?  Is it compare and contrast?  You have to know this before you can understand!

* When taking lecture notes, think about how this individual lecture fits into the current major topic or the entire semester of material.

* When you are reviewing for an exam, go through your notes to see the major topics.  Make a large review chart with all of the topics listed.  Look for common themes and fill in the sub-points.

* Pause every so often and consciously think about The Big Picture and how everything relates and fits together.

What are you reading or studying right now?  The next time you read or study, start by reviewing the material and think about The Big Picture.  Then fit the new information you are gaining into that organization.

Condensed Summer Classes

Many students take one or more classes at a campus near their home or back at their own school during the summer.  These classes are usually condensed into a short period of time (maybe 5 weeks) and the class meets for a longer period each day for 4 – 5 days a week.   There are positives and negatives to this arrangement plus some specific strategies for success:

Positives:

• You can concentrate on one or two subjects; your attention is not spread out over several subjects.
• If it is a topic you do not like, you can be finished with it sooner.
• If it is a subject you are struggling with, you can focus just on that for the period of time.

Negatives:

• You cannot slack off even one or two days because everything moves so quickly and so much material is covered in each class meeting.
• If it is a subject you are not thrilled about, you will have to deal with it every day.

Strategies for Success:

• Study the subject every day!
• Remember to use a variety of study strategies.
• Dedicate yourself to the course for the duration – make it your primary focus.
• Set aside specific time every day (including weekends!) when you will study and prepare.
• Focus on the positive fact that you are completing one more course toward your goal of graduation.

Summer classes are a great way to get ahead, be sure you graduate in 4 years, or make a future semester a little lighter.  Just be sure you are mentally prepared for the amount of work and are dedicated to your success.

Student Scenario #3 - Final Grades

At the end of the semester a student asked what he needed to earn on the final  exam in order to earn a ‘B’ in the course.  Unfortunately this student missed the main essay questions on the exam and ended up with a ‘C.’   The student only missed the final grade of ‘B’ by a few points that he could have earned anytime during the semester on other exams or projects.  What he does not understand is that your final grade is a reflection of all of the learning and work done throughout the semester, not just on one exam. 

Even in a course that only has a mid-term and a final, your grade will reflect how hard you worked and how much you learned throughout the entire semester.  You cannot just study the day or two before an exam and expect to be able to learn and understand everything. 

As you are reflecting on your final grades for the spring semester, looking ahead to fall or as you begin summer classes, keep in mind it is the day-to-day work and learning that is important.

End-of-Semester Review

The spring semester has ended for most institutions.  Before starting your summer job, volunteer activities or classes, do a quick review of the spring semester.  Here are some things to think about:

• What study and learning strategies worked well this semester?
• What is your academic achievement that you are most proud of?
• What did you do to help yourself be academically successful?  (Maybe getting more sleep, more exercise, attending all classes, etc.)
• Is there anything that you could have done better?
• What will you do the next time you are taking classes to continue and/or improve your success?
• What advice would you give yourself when you start classes again?

We know from learning strategies that if you write down the answers to these questions you will put more thought into them and remember them.  Consider writing the questions and responses and tucking the paper away so that you will find it when you start classes again.   That will be a positive way to begin your next round of classes.

Future blogs will deal with on-line and condensed summer classes as well as some basic learning tips.

Enjoy the summer!

Student Reflections from Spring 2012

I am reading the final papers from students in my Learning Strategies course.  Most of the students are on probation and are taking this course to learn how to be academically successful. There are several themes running through the papers that my students report are important to academic success:

Sleep – We are learning more and more about the importance of sleep in many areas, one of which is learning.  It is difficult to concentrate and learn when you are tired.

Chunking – Instead of working with a huge amount of material at once, break it down into small “chunks” and learn those parts, then put the information together into the whole piece.  (Of course, each “chunk” must be a logical section.)

Review notes as soon as possible after each class – Students who did this were amazed at how well they learned the material and how well they then did on exams.

Academics are more important than socializing – Most of the students who were on probation reported that last semester they spent more time socializing than studying.  Once their priorities were switched and they put more importance on their academics, they grades greatly improved.

Studying: Active vs. Passive

Everyone is busy preparing for final exams.  When you are thinking about how to study, consider how you can use active strategies vs. passive strategies. 

Active strategies are when you are manipulating the information either through writing, shuffling note cards, making concept maps, review charts, time lines, etc.  

Passive strategies are when you are simply reviewing or thinking about the material with limited involvement.  

Obviously the active strategies are going to be the most effective way to get the information into your long term memory.   Here are some examples:

Active Strategies – most effective	Passive Strategies – less effective
Outline textbook material Annotate reading material Study cards Review charts, concept maps, time lines Rewrite notes Combine lecture and textbook notes in a new outline Take on-line practice tests Write answers to study guides provided by professor Form questions, write them and then the answers Form a study group and quiz each other	Reread your notes Reread your textbook Review lecture notes Study while watching television