Note-Taking Strategies

Part 2

http://www.collegeboard.com/student/plan/collgege-sucess/955.html

During Class

One approach that has been proven effective is called the Cornell Note-Taking System. Here are some of its methods.

Start by using the main section of your page to take down your notes during class. Be sure to leave space on the left side of the page and the bottom. Things to keep in mind:

1.   Get the speaker’s main points. Don’t write down every word you hear.

2.   Leave blanks in your notes to add explanations later.

3.   Organize as you write. Pay attention to cues such as repetition and emphasis.

4.   Indicate main and supporting points as you go.

5.   Jot down key vocabulary, important facts and formulas.

6.   Ask questions. If you’re confused, it’s better to ask while the material is fresh in your mind.

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Study for Multiple Exams

Part 3

English, math, foreign language tips: Practice –especially foreign language. It is hard to succeed in a foreign language class if you are just showing and doing the work. But if you are in your room and look at objects and try to say them in the language you are learning it actually helps. Or if you send a simple text to a friend think about it, you can translate that to German or Spanish? These are the little things that will help.

Here are many final words of wisdom for students who get better grades in college: time management and organization are critical key factors to success in college. And never be afraid to go ask your teacher for help. They have office hours for a reason-use them!

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Study for Multiple Exams

Part 1

How I study for multiple exams, deal with multiple projects: Really it tis my time management that I explained above. If I see I have multiple things due or to study for all at the same time I spread out my time beforehand. For Example, I fi had a test on Monday, and 2 tests on Tuesday then I will study for my Monday test Thursday and part of Friday. Start studying for my next test on the second half of Friday and part of Saturday, then my second Tuesday test on Saturday as well and part of Sunday. Then Sunday night I can review for my Monday test because I already studies for it. When my test is over I can begin reviewing for the other test.

My overall study method: I try to break it up over several days or at least two. I get bogged down if I try to pull an all nighter.

How I’ve overcome an initial bad grade: if I receive a low grade I probably knew it was coming because I didn’t prepare properly or I didn’t use the right study habit fro that class. I usually try to go over what I did wrong and sometime discuss with the teacher what I can do differently on the next exam or what they suggest I do for studying for the next exam.

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Sarah’s Academic Success Story

Part 2

My test study method: I have different strategies for different types of tests or subjects. For me, any type of math is exceptionally difficult so I had to spend extra time on that. I would go back through the homework problems focusing on the problems that I had extra difficulty on. Many times I would ask the teacher for any additional study materials they could provide. If it was a class that required memorization or applying concepts I would create a sort of study guide for myself many times focusing on what were key focal points in the class. If I knew there were going to be essays I would try to take the terms and apply them to an example or create different questions on the concepts focused on throughout the semester.

My time management secret: I always always always carry a planner with me. I even use different color highlighters to show what each event on my calendar is for. For example, pink is personal, yellow is school, orange is work, blue is for appointments, and green is for my sorority. Although I use white-out frequently, I can see in bright yellow that if I have that project for finance due on Tuesday, I need to start working on it on [the previous] Wednesday so I can just get it done. My friends have always been amazed at how early I get things accomplished but that is really all I do.

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Effective Study Methods

Part 3

How I deal with multiple projects/tests: When I have more than one tests or projects, I break up with my studying. I will study for one test for 30 minutes or so and then switch to the other one. If there is some part of a project that I know will not take me very long, I will do it when I don’t have much time. If I am really in a crunch for time on a specific day, I will study for one test in the morning and the other in the afternoon or at night. By breaking up the studying into different sections, I feel like I get much more done. Cram sessions do not work for me. I need to study something for a shorter period of time more often for it to sink in.

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Effective Study Methods

   Part 1

My test study method: When it comes time to study for the test, I usually start 2-3 days before the test. I go through my notes and make flashcards on what was important for those sections, paying special attention to what the teacher said would be on the test if there was a review session. Also, I go through the book and read the inset stories and add to my flashcards. If there are practice problems or online assignments or old tests, I use those to help me study for the tests well. Once the test is over, I keep the flashcards so that I have them for the next test or a final. Flashcards are a marvelous learning tool. The key to remembering something is to repeat it numerous times-spaced rehearsal. If you forgot something, it is because you haven’t repeated it enough times for an extended period of time. Repetition is a law of learning; therefore, to learn and remember to recall it is mandatory that you repeat over and over the things you desire to learn and remember. You may be thinking “Oh, no, repeating something.” You need to get used to it. For example, the more you practice a song on a piano, the better you become at playing that song. Learning and remembering is like playing the piano-more you practice saying or doing it the better you can remember it. Look now at what you remember. You remember it because you have repeated it numerous times since the first being exposed to it. So, practice rehearsing those things you desire to remember, and they will stick with you.

Practice-- ®Proficiency- ® Pleasure

The better you remember, the more pleasure you obtain form studying and learning.

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