Study Skills Tips

Linda Hapsmith, Director Lillian Misel, Academic Advisor Anne Marie Nacke, Academic Advisor
Academic Advising Center

509 Gruening Building 474-6396 [email protected]
www.uaf.edu/advising/
College courses require less time in class but you need to spend MORE time reading and doing assignments outside of class to succeed. Remember, being a full-time student is a full-time job! Here are some tips to help: Create a weekly schedule
Write in fixed blocks of time for classes, work, meals, commuting and/or important family time. Count on devoting 3- 4 hours outside of class for every hour you spend inside class (12 credits = 36 48 hours of studying outside of class every week!) Plan specific times to work on correspondence/internet courses Go ahead and plan time in for fun things (absolutely no homework and no guilt on Saturday nights!) as well as necessary things like doing laundry Consider commuting time, time between classes, work or family commitments, and other priorities as well.
Plan out your semester

Use the syllabus from each class (you should get one in every class on the first day) Put all assignments, papers, tests and quizzes on one calendar use semester planning calendar
Procrastination- avoid some of the pitfalls

Set priorities and goals, use small rewards as you meet them (study tonight, take tomorrow night off) Break large projects in to smaller tasks like the TERM PAPER Study for least-liked subjects first
Use your study time efficiently

Schedule study time when most alert Study at about the same time each day Study a little bit every day (even Saturday and Sunday) Carry notes, flash cards to effectively use small amounts of time Study even without assignments due, avoid cramming
The biggest time wasters:

Television, computer games, telephone calls, unexpected visitors or socializing Use those small amounts of time 5-10 minutes spent waiting for class to start, for the bus, before meeting a friend, etc., carry a book, notes and/or flash cards to make use of this time.
Make sure you are Prepared (things to do constantly, all semester)

Attend class Read (skim at the very least) the chapter to be discussed prior to the class period Do all assignments, whether or not they are collected and graded Re-read or re-write your notes Visit the instructor during office hours, ask questions, show interest Figure out how you learn best (listening, doing, reading) and adapt your study techniques
Active listening and Note taking (How to get what is covered in lecture)
Write down what the instructor is discussing, not just what he writes down Take notes even if outlines or handouts are provided (it helps you to pay attention!) Think about questions posed, do math problems, add personal touches to help recall discussion later Volunteer to answer questions Develop a shorthand that you understand for words that come up often (ex.: phtsyn for photosynthesis) so that you can get the main ideas down without scribbling
Indicate in your notes

when the instructor uses the terms or actions below (star the idea, highlight it, etc.) or if non verbal cues indicate that the topic is important (facial expressions, body language) when you have a question, need clarification, or need to add to notes (if you cant or dont want to ask in class) If the instructor uses an illustration to get a point across, do your best to copy the illustration in to your notes this will jog your memory about what the point is EMPHASIS ON A TOPIC USUALLY MEANS IT IS IMPORTANT!
During lecture, listen for key terms and write down whatever follows them:
Youll see this again This is important As stated earlier The main issue is Pay attention For example (or several examples) Most importantly Another way to Finally This will be on the test
Dont spend the semester sprinting through marathons! Where should I study?
Find a quiet place Use music if needed but limit other distractions (TV, loud noises, siblings, roommates) Dont get too comfortable (avoid studying in bed) Designate a study space and let family members know that this is your study space and time.
When should I study?

Start way before exam begins to be sure info goes in to long term memory Review notes after each class Avoid cramming by keeping up with course material Use your weekly and semester plans as a guideline
What should I study?

Listen for clues from instructor Review your notes for the key terms or your sign that the topic was important The material highlighted or emphasized in lecture is what the instructor thinks is important it will probably be on the test! Review the headings in the text from the assigned readings Compare notes with a classmate
Remember! The key to success is self-discipline!!!

Take breaks, dont get bogged down (Study for 50 minutes, take a 10 minute break) Stay positive and use a reward system Talk to your instructors Form a study group, take advantage of different learning styles, stay on task Dont be afraid to ask for help!!
AHHHHH! There is a test coming up and you have no idea where to even start! Below are some strategies so you wont ever have to be in that spot Be sure to thoroughly learn the material Approach test with a positive attitude Avoid cramming on way into test Chew gum or eat candy to help relax Get a good nights sleep Eat a healthy meal before test Arrive early Take deep breaths if you become nervous Enter test with all materials you will need Answer easy questions first to build your confidence Keep things in perspective (one test rarely determines your entire life) Reward yourself when completed!
When you
Visual
Do you try to see the word? Do you sparingly but dislike listening for too long? Do you favor words such as see, picture, and imagine?
Auditory
Do you sound out the word or use a phonetic approach? Do you enjoy listening but are impatient to talk? Do you use words such as hear, tune, and think?
Kinesthetic & Tactile

Do you write the word down to find if it feels right? Do you gesture and use expressive movements? Do you use words such as feel, touch, and hold?
Spell
Talk
Do you become Concentrate distracted by untidiness or movement?
Do you become Do you become distracted distracted by by sounds or noises? activity around you? Do you forget faces but remember names or remember what you talked about? Do you prefer the telephone? Do you enjoy dialogue and conversation or hear the characters talk? Do you prefer verbal instructions or talking about it with someone else? Do you call someone to tell you how to put it together or talk to yourself while you put it together? Do you remember best what you did together? Do you talk with them while walking or participating in an activity? Do you prefer action stories or are not a keen reader? Do you prefer to jump right in and try it? Do you ignore the directions and figure it out as you go along?
Meet someone again
Do you forget names but remember faces or remember where you met?
Contact Do you prefer direct, people on face-to-face, personal business meetings? Read Do something new at work
Do you like descriptive scenes or pause to imagine the actions? Do you like to see demonstrations, diagrams, slides, or posters?
Put Do you look at the something directions and the together picture?
Need help Do you call the help desk, Do you keep trying with a Do you seek out pictures ask a neighbor, or growl to do it or try it on computer or diagrams? at the computer? another computer? application
Adapted from Colin Rose (1987). Accelerated Learning.
If you find that you are struggling, take advantage of the resources on campus. Your student fees fund them, so you might as well use them! See the Academic Advising Center if you need additional help or information. When you encounter difficulties, take advantage of these resources: Lab hours will be posted at the start of each semester. Math & Statistics Lab Chapman 305 474- 7332 http://www.dms.uaf.edu// Writing Center 8th Fl Gruening 474- 7193 http://www.uaf.edu/english/writingcenter/ Accounting Lab Bunnell 208A 474- 1945 Developmental Math Lab Gruening 305 474-5356, 455-2856
Foreign Language Lab Gruening 608 474-7396 http://www.uaf.edu/language Math and English Labs TVCC 120, DTC 205 455-2856 (Math), 455-2860 (English)
If you are a first-year student living in the Residence Halls, take advantage of EDGE tutors. See your RA for information. If you need help with Chemistry, stop by 146 Natural Sciences and sign up for a tutoring time on the door. Rural Student Services offers study groups for some courses. Stop by 2nd floor Brooks Building or call them at 474-7871 If you are a first generation college student, have a disability or a limited income, you might qualify for a tutor through Student Support Services. Stop by Gruening 508, call 474-6844 or visit www.uaf.edu/sssp/ Tutors are available to all students through ASUAF. Contact them at 474-7355 Look for lab hours and updates at www.uaf.edu/advsing/learningresources!

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Linda Hapsmith, Director Lillian Misel, Academic Advisor Anne Marie Nacke, Academic Advisor

Academic Advising Center

Plan out your semester

Procrastination- avoid some of the pitfalls

Use your study time efficiently

The biggest time wasters:

Make sure you are Prepared (things to do constantly, all semester)

Indicate in your notes

When should I study?

What should I study?

Remember! The key to success is self-discipline!!!

Kinesthetic & Tactile

Do you become Concentrate distracted by untidiness or movement?

Meet someone again

Adapted from Colin Rose (1987). Accelerated Learning.

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