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.