STUDY SKILLS 101More tips you can use!

Get organized• Use a Day Planner

• Helps you see the big picture• Reduces procrastination

• Get Binders/Folders• Helps you find homework• Organize assignments

• Establish a Place to Study • Reduces distractions

Manage your time• Complete a personal time survey

• How do you spend your time?• Create a daily schedule• Devote adequate study time for every class

• 2-3 hours per week per credit hour• 6-9 hours per week for 3-credit-hour course

• Learn to Prioritize• DON’T PROCRASTINATE!!

More time-management tips• Study the hardest subjects first

• Allows you to be fresh for more difficult material• Designate a particular time and place to study• Take study breaks

• Gives your mind time to process and relax

Attendance: critical to success!• Going to class shows the instructor you care about your academics• Attending class allows you to take good notes and hear and see

what the teacher says and puts on the board• If you know in advance you will be absent, let the instructor know;

this shows initiative.

Effective textbook use

• Do not highlight the entire page of a book; highlight major points• Pay attention to bold print in the text book.• Pay attention to diagrams or text boxes in the book.• Learn how to use the glossary and index in the text book

Effective note-taking• When the teacher writes things on the board, it’s probably important.

Take notes!• Make your notes legible, so you understand them later.• If you miss class, ask the teacher for a copy of the notes or ask a

classmate if you can borrow his or her notes.• Ask an instructor who talks too fast if you can record the lecture.

Taking notes helps you stay alert in class!

Homework tips• Do homework; it helps prepare you for tests• Don’t procrastinate.• Plan ahead and see when homework is due• Start early. This helps manage stress.

Join a study group• Benefits

• Helps you focus; you don’t want to let the other members down

• Other students can help explain the material to you better

Use your library!• The library has many sources to help you • Librarians can help you start your research.• A quiet study place with minimal distractions

Ask questions!

• If you don’t understand something . . . • Ask your instructor• Ask the librarian• Ask other classmates

Don’t just forget about it! Ask!

Minimize stress!• Create to-do lists• Stay organized• Keep a positive attitude• Make friends with similar interests; they can help you stay on track• Remember the big picture

• Why am I in school now? • So I can get a certain job? • The money?

• Personal maintenance• Take care of yourself; spoil yourself occasionally• Exercise• Eat healthy

Remember, you control your own destiny.

Resources• http://www.academictips.org/• http://www.astrosociety.org/education/resources/

success.html• http://frank.mtsu.edu/~studskl/10tips.html• http://www.bucks.edu/~specpop/studyskills.htm• http://www.misscantillon.com/Studyskills.htm