January 23, 2013 ~ Time Scheduling: How to schedule study time?
by Kay Nwe Win
Careful and effective utilization of time is very important especially when you enter college. Assignment due dates, exam dates, meetings with associations, work hours, family and social responsibilities, track meet, etc… There is simply too many to-dos to remember. That’s why an agenda book or a planner is very important to have and it will keep you on-track. No more missed tests, appointments and even opportunities!
Dedicate an hour to 2 hour or 2 to 3 hour time slots each day to review your school work. It can be at a time of the day that will be most effective. The point is not to study late in the night when you are exhausted or distracted with other tasks. The best times to study can be the time in between classes or immediately after the class.
When marking down “study”, for example, “from 3:00pm to 4:00pm” on your planner, be sure to also mark down the subject and topics you will be studying.
Schedule your study time slots habitually every day of the week at the same time. This will help you form an active approach to study on a regular basis and keep you organized. And remember, as the saying goes, it takes 21 days to form a habit!
Refresh yourself by having a 5 to 10 minute break in between study periods. Study periods are recommended to be between 60 to 90 minutes, as it is more efficient to focus your studying for a definite amount of time than to take frequent breaks and go off track.
January 14, 2013 ~ Study Tip of the Week: A.S.P.I.R.E.: A study system
by J. Landsberger from Study Guides and Strategies
Study skills series: “A.S.P.I.R.E.” A Study System
A: Approach/attitude/arrange
Approach your studies with a positive attitude
Arrange your schedule to eliminate distractions
S: Select/survey/scan
Select a reasonable chunk of material to study
Survey the headings, graphics, pre- and post questions to get an overview
Scan the text for keywords and vocabulary: mark what you don’t understand
P: Piece together the parts:
Put aside your books and notes
Piece together what you’ve studied, either alone, with a study pal or group:
summarize what you understand.
I: Investigate/inquire/inspect:
Investigate alternative sources of information you can refer to:
other text books, websites, experts, tutors, etc.
Inquire from support professionals (academic support, librarians, tutors, teachers, experts,) and other resources for assistance
Inspect what you did not understand.
R: Reexamine/reflect/relay
Reexamine the content | Reflect on the material | Relay understanding
Reexamine:
What questions are there yet to ask? Is there something I am missing?
Reflect:
How can I apply this to my project? Is there a new application for it?
Relay:
Can I explain this to my fellow students? Will they understand it better if I do?
E: Evaluate/examine/explore:
Evaluate your grades on tests and tasks: look for a pattern
Examine your progress: toward achieving your goals
Explore options: with a teacher, support professional, tutor, parent if you are not satisfied.
January 7, 2013 ~ Study Tip of the Week: How to Cope with Test Anxiety?
by Kay Nwe Win
Test anxiety will always be there for students, but how we handle it is extremely important.
Here are some strategies:
1) Master good study habits: Proper preparation is key, as it reduces your level of anxiety and also boosts your confidence. Although we love to procrastinate, the key is to pace yourself and win the race! Well, in this case, ace your exam.
2) Be prepared, completely. Being familiar with information being asked, your anxiety will decrease.
3) Cramming does not work: This ties in with the first step “Master good study habits”. Allow yourself time, take a couple of hours each day to study instead of cramming everything in a day or hours prior to an exam. It doesn’t help and defeats the purpose. Speaking from experience, cramming can be tiring.
4) Exercise!: It relieves stress, increases mental function and boosts energy.
5) Sleep! (Very important): Adequate sleep is essential for good health and helps reduce anxiety. This is why adequate sleep is very important before an exam.
6) Eat before taking a test: Eating healthy, refreshing foods with a small sample of protein will give you the proper brain function and physical energy. Feeling hungry during a test can be a distraction and increase anxiety.
7) Stay positive: Generate positive thoughts about your test and concentrate on how well you can do. Believe and trust in yourself to give it all you got (your existing knowledge (what makes sense/ what does not) and what you have learned) during those few hours of the exam.
Keep your eye on the prize. YOU CAN DO IT!