visual study strategies
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STUDY STRATEGIESSALT Center
Workshop1010 N. Highland Ave. Tucson, AZ 85721
(520) 621-1242
Source: Mary Beth Foster
Planning Reading/Notes Memorization
Motivation
Planning Reading/Notes Memorization
Motivation
Creating a Study Plan
29 30Reorg. Class Notes
May 1Review Ch. 8 & add notes
2Review Ch. 9 & add notes
3Review Ch. 10 & add notes
4 5Rewrite Notes & Make FlashCards
6Review Handouts Wkshts
7CreatePractice Test
8Review
All
9Review All
10History Test
11 12
Mark up those Margins
Think in ink while you read
Assign special colors to emphasize certain pts.
Use Stickies
Color Code Notes to Text
Use different highlighter colors for different topics in the textbook readings
Match those colors & highlight corresponding passages in your lecture notes
Visual understanding -- Notes
Reorganize notesOn bottom half of paper
Create graphics Use arrows, Use webs
Use boxes, circles, BIGPrint, highlighters, colors, etc.
During class take notes on top half of paper
Piece your reading together like a Jigsaw puzzle
Select a reading passage that describes the order in which something occurs
Study the passage Clip apart sentences in the passage (use
printed material or copied textbook pages) Scramble Reassemble in order
Memorization
SightSoundSmell
Use Your S-Senses
Visual Imagery (Sight)
Use drawings or pictures to create memorable visual associationsExample From Nutrition ClassKeratinization:Vitamin A deficiency
symptom - Bumpy Skin
Use Google Image Searching
Examples for Biology or Psychology class:
Make it unusual&
Vivid
Superior -
Huron –
Michigan -
Erie-
Ontario-
Superior -
Huron –
Michigan -
Erie-
Ontario-
Super
Horse
Must
Eat
Oats
Mnemonics (Memory Aids)To remember the Great Lakes in order of size
(water surface area)
Creating FlashCards
Term on one side Flip side to include
– Definition– Concept– Example– Memory trigger (visual
image, mnemonic device, etc.)
Use Colored Flash Cards
Tips: Assign colors that correspond to the terms being studied
Chemistry Examples: Acids might get red, bases might get blue
Nutrition: Different colors for fats, sugars, proteins Spanish: Blue for masculine words, pink for femin.
How to Use Flash Cards
1)Term to definition2)Flip3)Definition to Term4)Shuffle
Create a Jingle (sound) Neurotransmitter: “Low acetylcholine
levels can cause problems with memory, emotions, and language.”Source: http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/genet.html
Old Macdonald had a farm, E-I-E-I-OAnd on his farm he had a cow,
E-I-E-I-OWith a "moo-moo" here and a "moo-moo" thereHere a "moo" there a "moo"Everywhere a "moo-moo"Old Macdonald had a farm,
E-I-E-I-O
Music - http://www.niehs.nih.gov/kids/lyrics/mcdonald.htm
Neurotransmitters (sung to the tune of "Old MacDonald“)
My brain had a neurotransmitterB-R-A-I-NAcetylcholine in my brainB-R-A-I-N
with a feeling hereAnd a memory thereHere a word, there a memoryEverything you think, thinkMy brain had a neurotransmitter
B-R-A-I-N
Memorable Aromas (Smell)
Peppermint or Cinnamon GumStudies link these to higher performance on memory tests
Possible Reasons: Increased Sugar levels Chewing activity stimulates heart rate & increases focus Aroma opens pathways in brain Association (stimulates associative memory if used while
studying and while testing)
Motivation to Study or Study Limbo
Study Limbo(a time stretching study exercise)
Name something (other than schoolwork) that you push yourself to excel at? ____________________________________________________
Examples: a sport, a hobby, an art, an instrument, etc.
If you don’t have one, think of one you wish you could pursue & imagine the goals you would have to set to become accomplished at this activity.
Limbo Goals Write down small goals you
set for yourself during practices that keep you striving to work harder & longer.
_____________________
_____________________
_____________________
_____________________
Examples: A limbo artist might tell
himself, one more time. Bend the knees more.
A piano player might say repeat this line 5 times without any mistakes.
A puzzle enthusiast might promise not to quit until 10 more pieces are placed.
A runner might say just 1 more lap, & then after that might add ½ lap.
Encouragement
Add some of the comments you say to encourage yourself.
___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________
Reflect
How can you set similar goals when studying?
What are things you can say to yourself to help push you to study longer and more effectively?
Visualize
Visualize yourself as you study as being the runner, the piano player, the limbo artist (whatever you chose above).
Stretch your goals by repeating the goals and comments you made above.
Example: “I’m running a long race. I’ve got to push myself. Just one more lap, just one more page, just one more sentence, just one more...