Preparing to Study: A Good Study Place
You need a good study place to be prepared to study. You should be able to
answer YES to all of the following questions:
1. Is my Study Place available to me whenever I need it?
Your Study Place does you little good if you cannot use it when you need it.
If you are using a Study Place that you must share with others for any
reason, work out a schedule so that you know when you can use it.
2. Is my Study Place free from interruptions?
It is important to have uninterrupted study time. You may have to hang a DO
NOT DISTURB sign on the door or take the phone off the hook.
3. Is my Study Place free from distractions?
Research shows that most students study best in a quiet environment. If you
find that playing a stereo or TV improves your mood, keep the volume low.
4. Does my Study Place contain all the study materials I need?
Be sure your Study Place includes reference sources and supplies such as
pens
and pencils, paper, ruler, calculator, and whatever else you might need. If
you use a computer for your schoolwork, it should be in your Study Place .
5. Does my Study Space contain a large enough desk or table?
While working on an assignment or studying for a test, use a desk or table
that is large enough to hold everything you need. Allow enough room for
writing and try to avoid clutter.
6. Does my Study Place have enough storage space?
You need enough room to store your study materials. Be sure you have enough
storage space to allow you to keep your desktop or other work surface clear
of unnecessary materials that can get in the way.
7. Does my Study Place have a comfortable chair?
A chair that is not comfortable can cause discomfort or pain that will
interfere with your studying. A chair that is too comfortable might make you
sleepy. Select a chair in which you can sit for long periods while
maintaining your attention.
8. Does my Study Place have enough light?
The amount of light you need depends on what you are doing. The important
thing is that you can clearly see what you need to see without any strain or
discomfort.
9. Does my Study Place have a comfortable temperature?
If your Study Place is too warm, you might become sleepy. If it is too cold,
your thinking may slow down and become unclear. Select a temperature at
which
your mind and body function best.
Having a good Study Place is important for good studying.
TAKING NOTES IN CLASS
In classes, your teachers will talk about topics that you are studying. The
information they provide will be important for you to know when you take
tests. You must be able to take good written notes from what your teachers
say.
Taking good notes is a three-stage process in which there are certain things
you should do before class, during class, and after class. Here are the
three
stages of notetaking and what you should do during each stage.
1. Get Ready to Take Notes (Before Class)
Review your notes from the previous class session before you come to class.
This will help you remember what was covered and get you ready to understand
new information your teacher provides.
Complete all assigned readings before you come to class. Your teacher will
expect that you have done this and will use and build upon this information.
Bring all notetaking materials with you to class. Have several pens and
pencils as well as your notebook.
2. Take Notes (During Class)
Keep your attention focused on what your teacher is saying. Listen
for “signal statements” that tell you that what your teacher is about to say
is important to write in your notes. Examples of signal statements are “The
most important point…” and “Remember that . . . “ Be sure to include in your
notes information that your teacher repeats or writes on the chalkboard.
Write quickly so that you can include all the important information in your
notes. Do this by writing abbreviated words such as med for medicine, using
symbols such as % for percent, and writing short sentences.
Place a ? next to information you write in your notes, but about whose
meaning you are not sure.
3. Rewrite Your Notes (After Class)
Rewrite your notes to make them more complete by changing abbreviated words
into whole words, symbols into words, and shortened sentences into longer
sentences.
Make your notes more accurate by answering any questions you had when
writing
your notes in class. Use your textbook and reference sources to obtain the
information you need to answer your questions. If necessary, ask your
teacher
or other students for help.
Check with other students to be sure you did not leave out important
information.
Having good class notes will help you to be better prepared for tests.
Good Listening In Class
It is important for you to be a good listener in class. Much of what you
will
have to learn will be presented verbally by your teachers. Just hearing what
your teachers say is not the same as listening to what they say. Listening
is
a cognitive act that requires you to pay attention and think about and
mentally process what you hear.
Here are some things you should do to be a good listener in class.
Be Cognitively Ready to Listen When You Come to Class.
Make sure you complete all assigned work and readings.
Review your notes from previous class sessions. Think
about what you know about the topic that will be covered
in class that day.
Be Emotionally Ready to Listen When You Come to Class.
Your attitude is important. Make a conscious choice to find the topic
useful and interesting. Be committed to learning all that you can.
Listen with a Purpose. Identify what you expect and hope to learn from the
class session. Listen for these things as your teacher talks.
Listen with an Open Mind. Be receptive to what your teacher says. It is
good
to question what is said as long as you remain open to points of view other
than your own.
Be Attentive. Focus on what your teacher is saying. Try not to daydream and
let your mind wander to other things. It helps to sit in the front and
center
of the class, and to maintain eye contact with your teacher.
Be an Active Listener. You can think faster than your teacher can speak.
Use
this to your advantage by evaluating what is being said and trying to
anticipate what will be said next. Take good written notes about what your
teacher says. While you can think faster than your teacher can speak, you
cannot write faster than your teacher can speak. Taking notes requires you
to
make decisions about what to write, and you have to be an active listener to
do this.
Meet the Challenge. Don't give up and stop listening when you find the
information being presented difficult to understand. Listen even more
carefully at these times and work hard to understand what is being said.
Don't be reluctant to ask questions.
Triumph Over the Environment. The classroom may too noisy, too hot, too
cold, too bright, or too dark. Don't give in to these inconveniences. Stay
focused on the big picture - LEARNING.
