Study Skills Online Study Skills Online ModuleModule

This online module was created with the goal of This online module was created with the goal of helping interested students like you succeed in your helping interested students like you succeed in your study skills! To achieve our goal, this module covers study skills! To achieve our goal, this module covers

everything from time management to preparing everything from time management to preparing yourself physically and mentally for a test, all in the yourself physically and mentally for a test, all in the

effort to help you improve your study skills. effort to help you improve your study skills.

Created by Heather M. Eggsware, Colorado State University, 2005

22

Welcome!Welcome! Module Directions:Module Directions:• Take your time and make notes on topics of special interest.Take your time and make notes on topics of special interest.• Use the buttons at the bottom of each page to maneuver Use the buttons at the bottom of each page to maneuver

through the module.through the module.• Information Information underlined in yellowunderlined in yellow or on a , or on a ,

once clicked, will take you to insider tips and games.once clicked, will take you to insider tips and games.• At the end you have the opportunity to provide feedback on At the end you have the opportunity to provide feedback on

this module.this module.

Good luck and happy learning! Good luck and happy learning!

“Back” (to

previous slide)

“Home” (to first slide)

“Next” (to next

slide)

yellow button

33

Time ManagementTime Management

How can managing my time help me with studying?How can managing my time help me with studying?That’s a great question! What you may not realize that when you That’s a great question! What you may not realize that when you cram for a class your work and energy for your other classes may cram for a class your work and energy for your other classes may falter. This leads to more cramming and many up-late-stressed-out falter. This leads to more cramming and many up-late-stressed-out nights.nights.

What should I do to manage my time?What should I do to manage my time?Try making a schedule; your schedule can be weekly, monthly or Try making a schedule; your schedule can be weekly, monthly or even daily-to-do lists. Learn more about the different types of even daily-to-do lists. Learn more about the different types of schedules. Click below to see samples of each. schedules. Click below to see samples of each.

Weekly Schedules!Weekly Schedules! Monthly Schedules! Monthly Schedules! Daily "To Do" Lists!Daily "To Do" Lists!

Click the info underlined in

yellow!

44

Study GroupsStudy Groups

Why is a study group important? Why is a study group important? Well, in study groups students can share study strategies Well, in study groups students can share study strategies

and quiz one another before the test. Effective study groups and quiz one another before the test. Effective study groups have a common goal to do one’s best. Students tend to have a common goal to do one’s best. Students tend to conform to peer group norms in their patterns of conform to peer group norms in their patterns of achievement (Wigfield & Asher, 1984). So if the group achievement (Wigfield & Asher, 1984). So if the group values achievement, its members are likely to work hard; values achievement, its members are likely to work hard; conversely, if the group does not value achievement, conversely, if the group does not value achievement, students are likely to do less than their best in order to be students are likely to do less than their best in order to be accepted by the group.accepted by the group.

55

StudyingStudying Tips for Studying in GroupsTips for Studying in Groups• Select group members who are as Select group members who are as

concerned about being concerned about being successful as you are. successful as you are.

• Share the responsibility of Share the responsibility of teaching and learning.teaching and learning.

• Use study groups to complement Use study groups to complement personal study time - not replace personal study time - not replace it. it.

• Try to stay on track. Try to stay on track. • Meet in a location free from Meet in a location free from

outside distractions.outside distractions.• Read the material before the Read the material before the

meeting so you can contribute to meeting so you can contribute to the discussions.the discussions.

Tips for Studying by YourselfTips for Studying by Yourself• Schedule a set time each day Schedule a set time each day

during your "alert" times of the during your "alert" times of the day.day.

• Choose a quiet, comfortable, Choose a quiet, comfortable, distraction-free area.distraction-free area.

• Study your most difficult or least Study your most difficult or least favorite subjects first. favorite subjects first.

• Take study breaks and avoid Take study breaks and avoid marathon sessions.marathon sessions.

• Grab stolen moments of time to Grab stolen moments of time to study, like when waiting for an study, like when waiting for an appointment.appointment.

• If your instructor offers a study session, If your instructor offers a study session, then GO! This is a great time to ask then GO! This is a great time to ask questions and will help to clarify or questions and will help to clarify or reinforce what you already know.reinforce what you already know.

66

Memory and ConcentrationMemory and Concentration

To really learn well, there To really learn well, there are two things you need: are two things you need:

1.1. The ability to The ability to

and minimize distractions and minimize distractions while you are studying.while you are studying.

2.2. techniques to techniques to help you remember what help you remember what you have learned.you have learned.

concentrate

Memory

77

Improve your ConcentrationImprove your Concentration We’re not talking about We’re not talking about

orange juice! This is about orange juice! This is about being an active learner.being an active learner.

Many people approach Many people approach studying from a studying from a passivepassive standpoint - they read their standpoint - they read their textbook, attend lectures, and textbook, attend lectures, and go over their notes. But they go over their notes. But they do not do not dodo anything with that anything with that information. information.

Learners who are more Learners who are more effective tend to re-organize effective tend to re-organize the information in a way that the information in a way that makes sense to them. They makes sense to them. They have learned to become have learned to become activeactive learners. learners.

Ways to improve concentration Ways to improve concentration and become an active learner: and become an active learner:

1.1. Create a quiet, well-lit study Create a quiet, well-lit study environment.environment.

2.2. Study the same subject at thStudy the same subject at the same time in the same loce same time in the same location.ation.

3.3. Take notes on what you are Take notes on what you are studying and re-arrange the studying and re-arrange the information in some other winformation in some other way.ay.

4.4. Make an association with soMake an association with something you already know. mething you already know. 

5.5. Make flashcards to study Make flashcards to study from and then have from and then have someone quiz you.someone quiz you.

1111

Helpful Memory TechniquesHelpful Memory Techniques

To memorize information, most students simply To memorize information, most students simply repeatrepeat what they what they have learned over and over.  While repetition is one memory have learned over and over.  While repetition is one memory technique, it is surprisingly inefficient.  A combination of memory technique, it is surprisingly inefficient.  A combination of memory techniques increases the ability to recall information. techniques increases the ability to recall information.

There are several ways that memory can be categorized:There are several ways that memory can be categorized:

• Short-Term vs. Long-Term MemoryShort-Term vs. Long-Term Memory

• Recognition Memory vs. Recall MemoryRecognition Memory vs. Recall Memory

o So how do you move information from short-term memory to long-So how do you move information from short-term memory to long-term memory so you can recall the information?  Here is a great term memory so you can recall the information?  Here is a great site to show you games you can play to enhance your ability to site to show you games you can play to enhance your ability to remember.  remember.  Don't forget! Playing Games with MemoryDon't forget! Playing Games with Memory

1414

The SQ3R method is a proven method for getting The SQ3R method is a proven method for getting more out of reading your textbook. Reading a more out of reading your textbook. Reading a textbook requires a different approach than textbook requires a different approach than

reading a novel or for fun.reading a novel or for fun. SQ3R stands for:SQ3R stands for:

• SurveySurvey • QuestionQuestion• Read Read • ReciteRecite• ReviewReview

Textbook ReadingTextbook Reading

2020

Note-TakingNote-Taking There are many ways to organize yourself There are many ways to organize yourself

when it comes to taking notes:when it comes to taking notes:• Will you use a 3 ring binder or a spiral bound notebook?Will you use a 3 ring binder or a spiral bound notebook?• Will all classes be kept in one notebook or stored Will all classes be kept in one notebook or stored

separately?separately?• Do you have your class notes setup so they are legible and Do you have your class notes setup so they are legible and

easy to understand? easy to understand?

• How much time do you spend preparing your notes before How much time do you spend preparing your notes before and after class?and after class?

Notes SystemClass Notes

2121

Test Taking - Ways to Stay Test Taking - Ways to Stay Calm!Calm!

Before the ExamBefore the Exam

• Get good sleep the night before. Get good sleep the night before.

• Give yourself enough time in the Give yourself enough time in the morning to do your regular morning to do your regular routine.routine.

• Eat a good, nutritious breakfast. Eat a good, nutritious breakfast.

• Give yourself positive, reassuring Give yourself positive, reassuring statements throughout the day statements throughout the day (such as "you can do it" or "you (such as "you can do it" or "you know the material, so relax")know the material, so relax"). .

• Quit studying at least half-an-hour Quit studying at least half-an-hour before the exam and do before the exam and do something relaxing.something relaxing.

• Avoid getting to class too Avoid getting to class too early. early. (The time right before the (The time right before the exam is usually spent worrying exam is usually spent worrying about the test.)about the test.)

During the ExamDuring the Exam

• Avoid students who'll ask you Avoid students who'll ask you questions before the exam. questions before the exam. (This (This will only increase your anxiety.)will only increase your anxiety.)

• If possible, sit in the seat you If possible, sit in the seat you normally occupy in class. normally occupy in class.

• Be sure to read all directions.Be sure to read all directions.

• Look over the test and do the Look over the test and do the questions worth more points first. questions worth more points first.

• Don't change your answers. Don't change your answers. (Unless you’re sure you were (Unless you’re sure you were wrong the first time.)wrong the first time.)

• Read each question twice, slowly.Read each question twice, slowly.

• Skip questions you can't answer Skip questions you can't answer and go back to them later. and go back to them later.

2222

Physical & Mental Well-Physical & Mental Well-BeingBeing

How to RelaxHow to Relax Stress is a basic survival skill and can be very useful in emergency Stress is a basic survival skill and can be very useful in emergency situations. Before a test however, stress or anxiety can undermine your situations. Before a test however, stress or anxiety can undermine your ability to do well. To restore your body to a less-stressed state, try the ability to do well. To restore your body to a less-stressed state, try the following exercises: following exercises:  Breathing Breathing

Breathe in for 6 seconds, hold for 6 seconds, then breathe out for 6 Breathe in for 6 seconds, hold for 6 seconds, then breathe out for 6 seconds.  This will counteract your body's stress response of seconds.  This will counteract your body's stress response of shallow breathing. shallow breathing.

Visual Imagery Visual Imagery • Imagine that you are in a place that you love -- your Grandmother's Imagine that you are in a place that you love -- your Grandmother's

house or a beautiful meadow in the woods.  Imagine that you can house or a beautiful meadow in the woods.  Imagine that you can hear, smell, feel, taste, and see what is happening around you. This hear, smell, feel, taste, and see what is happening around you. This counteracts your body's stress response of racing thoughts. counteracts your body's stress response of racing thoughts.

Muscle Relaxation Muscle Relaxation • Tighten your muscles as hard as you can for a few seconds, then Tighten your muscles as hard as you can for a few seconds, then

relax them.  This will allow your muscles to be more relaxed than relax them.  This will allow your muscles to be more relaxed than when you started, counteracting your body's stress response of when you started, counteracting your body's stress response of tense muscles in the "fight or flight" response. tense muscles in the "fight or flight" response.

2323

Keys to Success: Campus Keys to Success: Campus ResourcesResources

The The Learning Assistance Center (LAC)Learning Assistance Center (LAC) can help you with can help you with everything in this module, including how to stay focused, get everything in this module, including how to stay focused, get better grades, and determine if you may have a learning difficulty better grades, and determine if you may have a learning difficulty contributing to any academic problems.contributing to any academic problems. The The LACLAC is located in room 104 of the General Service Building and can is located in room 104 of the General Service Building and can

be reached at (970) 491-5527.be reached at (970) 491-5527.

Check your stress and utilize management techniques by learning Check your stress and utilize management techniques by learning about the about the Stress Management Program (SMP).Stress Management Program (SMP).

The The SMPSMP is located in room C10 of the Clark Building and can be is located in room C10 of the Clark Building and can be reached at (970) 491-6053. reached at (970) 491-6053.

The Learning Assistance Center and the Stress Management Program are The Learning Assistance Center and the Stress Management Program are provided to by the provided to by the University Counseling CenterUniversity Counseling Center. Learn about the . Learn about the many resources available by visiting many resources available by visiting http://http://www.counseling.colostate.eduwww.counseling.colostate.edu..

2424

FeedbackFeedbackThanks for completing this online module on study Thanks for completing this online module on study

skills. We hope you found it informative, skills. We hope you found it informative, educational, and mildly entertaining! educational, and mildly entertaining!

In order to improve our modules your feedback In order to improve our modules your feedback would be appreciated. Please complete the would be appreciated. Please complete the

survey linked below.survey linked below.

The completed evaluation may be sent to Jody Donovan at Jody.Donovan@colostate.edu,

Office of Student Transition and Parent and Family Programs. Thank you.