Study Tips for Students Listening Concentrate on what the speaker is saying. Tune out background noise and talk. Listen for the main ideas by using the five Ws and one H (Who? What? Where? When? Why? and How?) Pay attention to the speaker's feelings or style (i.e. does the voice get louder or more emphatic on important points?). Asking for help will not make you appear stupid. Not everyone understands things with one explanation. Sometimes you just need something explained differently. In fact, asking for help actually proves how smart you are. Taking Notes Try to listen 80% of the time and write 20% of the time. Do not try to write everything down. It's physically impossible, you won't absorb anything, and it will stress you out. Write down important ideas, and important facts that support those ideas. If a statement repeats something that has already been said, then it's not important. learn to shorten words you use often, or use symbols to represent them (if you do use symbols, make sure you understand your own code). Be brief, but make sure you will remember what you meant. If reading an article or book, look over the text. Read the title, introduction, and conclusion. Look for phrases in bold type or italics. Read the questions at the end of chapters; they will help guide you. When you come to information which answers a question, or seems important, make a note of it. Teachers like to warn you about what is important. They will say things like "This is very important (no, seriously!)," "Remember this…" or that old favourite, "This is the kind of thing you might find on your test." Pay special attention to any articles your teacher gives you, as they usually contain information not found in your text. Underline titles, and sub-titles, and highlight important ideas. Don't over do it or you'll just end up with a florescent page. Write notes in your own words, not your teacher's. You will be more likely to remember what you meant later. Learn different ways to record information, such as outlining or mapping. Organize your notes by dating and numbering every page. Then if they get separated (like when you drop your book between classes, and all your notes fall out), it will be a snap to reassemble everything. Keep all your notes for each class in one place. This way you won't be digging through every page of math notes for that one page of English notes you need. Know exactly what you are looking for when reading articles. Do not to be distracted by other bits of information that don't relate to what you are studying. Top Remembering Do a quick of review of each class every day, and a more in-depth review once a week. Make a short summary of important chapters, discussions, and lectures. This is a form of review and writing these summaries will help you process and cement the ideas in your mind. Study with friends only if you can stay on topic. Ask them questions and answer theirs. Learn memory aid techniques (i.e. mnemonics/acronyms, catch phrases, etc.) to help in retrieving information later. Mnemonics like Roy G. Biv (the colours of the rainbow--red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet) or catch phrases like "Every Good Boy Deserves Fudge" (part of the musical scale—EGBDF) can help you remember larger ideas. Regular short study periods work better than one long, panic-induced cramming session. Try and find a way to apply what you've learned as soon as you can. If you learn a new math equation on Friday, don't wait until Sunday night to try using it. Even if you are bored by what you are studying, try to find something interesting that you can focus on or try to turn it into a game to problem solve. Study for a minimum amount of time after each school day. Although special projects may require more time, the following is a rough guideline: Grades K-8: 1/2 hour; Grade 9: I hour; Grade 10-12: 1 1/2 hours. As you near the end of a course, re-write important notes on each topic into neatly ordered outlines for review. Outline the structure of the course, and condense your notes into key points. Workplace Always work and study in the same place. It makes it easier for your mind to associate work with that space. Keep your workspace clean and uncluttered. Make sure your study space has good lighting. If the space is too dark you will get drowsy and may suffer from tired eyes. Use a comfortable, but not too comfortable, chair. If it's too much like a cocoon, you may end up napping rather than studying. No matter how good you know the game is going to be, or how much you've been looking forward to the premiere of the new N'Sync or Christina Aguilera video…DO NOT STUDY IN FRONT OF THE TV. Quiet music is okay, and may actually help you to remember facts later. If you catch yourself singing along in your head (or out loud) instead of absorbing the fascinating aspects of the fur trade, then it's probably too distracting. Choose a style of music that works best and stick with it. Getting Involved Learning doesn't just happen during class. Get involved in the school community. Participating in student politics can teach you much more about political life than you can learn by reading about past Prime Ministers. Performing in the school play can teach you a great deal about how much work goes into the TV shows and movies you watch. It will also improve your public-speaking skills and make you a better reader. Joining school sport teams can help keep you physically, as well as mentally, active. It will teach you perseverance and cooperation skills. Getting involved in school groups, and events in your community, exposes you to valuable new experiences and looks great on a résumé. Study Skills Study Tips Study Guide Study Stretches