An all too common questions is: "When will I ever use this?" Information and technology is changing rapidly. In fact, there is a saying among researchers: “If it works, it’s obsolete.” It is hard for many to keep abreast with progress. What one is learning in school today may be obsolete by the time they graduate from college.
It is also highly likely that one will change careers many times. So what is important for students to learn in school beyond content? What will they use? What should they study? What is timeless?
A few suggestions are the following:
- How to learn
- How to think
- How to study
- How to acquire information
- How to process information
- How to communicate information
This article focuses on a few study skills. It is crucial to be able to learn new information in a fast paced world. It is so important for a learner to “get it, get it right, and strengthen it.” There are many study skills one can incorporate into practice. A student should search for the study skills that work for them. Study skills that work will last a life-time. A short list of study guides follow:
How to Actively Learn?
- Always look up new words and find out what they mean.
- Make a list of everything that needs to get done for each subject.
- Resolve to keep up-to-date from the start.
- Do all assignments independently – never copy.
- Keep an excellent folder and notebook.
- Always show the work needed to solve a problem.
- Do any required reading for the topic before class.
How to Preview and Review Material?
- Make a summary of all required reading.
- Never be satisfied with memorization without understanding.
- Go for understanding first, then memorization.
- Practice answering self-created questions.
- Study for a half-hour, then take a five minute break.
- Think only about the assignment when studying.
- Switch subjects after two half-hour sessions of studying.
- Take notes while studying.
- Work on the hardest assignments first.
- Review each day’s class notes at the end of the day.
- Make a quick review of the weeks study.
- Do as much studying as soon as possible.
How to Study for Tests?
- Start studying at least three days before a test.
- Review before the teacher reviews in class.
- Rework problems done in class and in the text.
- Get a good night’s sleep the night before the test.
How to Take a Test?
- Get to class on time.
- Have two pens and two sharpen pencils.
- Read the instructions carefully.
- Pay very close attention to details.
- A student should answer the questions they know best first.
- A student should never change an answer unless they know for certain their first choice was wrong.
Learning how to study can be an effective learning tool. A student should focus on “getting it, getting it right, and strengthening it.” Each of these three steps involves learning specific study skills. A few new study skills applied to one's learning may be all that is needed to improve one's grades.
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