Study Skills/Tips
Reading and Remembering
Read with a reason:
- Before reading, scan to find the important points. Look for bold face, italics, and summaries.
- Stop occasionally and put what you are reading into your own words.
- As you read, try to predict what will come next.
- Pay attention to subheadings and ask yourself how the subheading relates to the paragraph.
- Keep the big picture in mind. Ask yourself how what you are reading relates to the overall chapter or to the class.
Highlighting and Note Taking:
- Read a passage all the way through before you highlight.
- Always follow-up a highlight with a note in the margin.
- Make connections. How does this point relate to something else significant?
Science Study Tips
- Plan to start studying for the first exam from the first day of class. It's easier to do well if you don't fall behind.
- Use charts and concept maps to tie ideas together. Focus on the "big picture" as well as the details.
- PRACTICE! Use any and all practice problems without your notes.
- Don't get caught up in memorization. Focus on application.
- Use lab class. Watch for connections and think of it as a "hands-on" version of your class.
- Use textbook and/or course material to help you understand concepts covered in class. Work in a group and teach each other. The Internet can also be a great resource for clarifying concepts.
Mathematics Study Tips
Do homework with a purpose:
- Take a moment to think about each exercise.
- Try to understand why you performed the steps that you performed.
- Try to think of other methods that can be used to solve the problem.
- Work homework without notes.
- Start graded homework at least two days before it is due.
- Quiz yourself at the end of each study period.
Make a Glossary:
- Your glossary should contain a list of terms, definitions, theorems and important formulas.
- Include examples whenever possible.
- Study the list regularly.
- Use note cards for very important material or material that will be used all term/semester.
Read the Textbook:
- Write out the examples and fill in the missing steps.
- Highlight terms that you don't understand and add them to your glossary.
Work as many exercises as necessary:
- Work the recommended exercises as well as the exercises that will be submitted for grade.
- Find ways to determine if you answer is reasonable.
Make a practice test:
- Create your own exercises.
- The practice test should contain challenging problems to prepare you for the exam.
- Work the practice test under actual testing conditions. For example, use a 50-minute time period, calculator only, and no notes.