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To develop effective study skills—or to activate the ones you already have—really requires you to adopt the attitude of an ACTIVE LEARNER. Active learners take responsibility for their own learning. In the classroom or when studying, Active Learners asking questions like this:
- What is new here?
- What do I already know about this?
- How does the new material relate to what I know?
- What questions do I need answered by my reading, the lecture, my TA, my professor?
- How can I best learn this new material? Reading? Making & using flash cars? Saying it out loud? Putting it in my own words?
You can jumpstart your studying and transform yourself from a passive learner to an active learner by asking questions like those I just mentioned, and by practicing some of the 11 strategies I will describe next.
- Sit with other active learners, at the front of the classroom.
- Review your notes and syllabus before class to prepare yourself for the upcoming lecture or discussion. ACTIVATE your mind by reflecting on how today’s topic relates to your reading, to last weeks’ lecture, to the lab.
- Ask questions when you have them. The best professors have the attitude that a questioning mind is an engaged mind, and no question is “dumb.” Go to professors and TAs individually with your questions, if that’s easier than asking in class.
- Find or create good study environments for yourself. Pay attention to what you need (total silence? background noise? Activity?). What you need may vary depending on what you are doing: reading, writing a paper, solving problems.
- Before you study, take time to calm yourself with several deep breaths and positive thoughts. It will be easier to take in and manipulate information.
- Turn off your cell phone; close your chat or IM windows. Give yourself a break from constant availability and focus on the work at hand.
- Get in training for being a student. Get enough sleep—most students need between 7 and 10 hours per night. Eat a balanced diet. Don’t overdo the caffeine, alcohol, or sugar. Find exercise you enjoy.
- Learn from your mistakes. Failure evaporates when you transform a poor performance into an opportunity to explore what you can do differently next time.
- Read it—Write It—Speak It. Learning is reinforced by repetition, and understanding is solidified by putting it in your own words.
- Use study groups. They are great places to broaden strategies for studying, work at understanding what the professor is looking for, rehearse what you know, and find out what you’re missing.
- Manage your time. Calendars and planners are great if you use them. Some prefer a weekly to do list in the back pocket. It’s likely you will need some kind of strategy to help keep track of assignments, responsibilities, and events.
I hope these tips give you some ideas to jumpstart your own learning. Remember that change takes time. To be successful, it’s best to activate your study skills one at a time. So, pick one new strategy to work on for a week. When you feel like that one’s working for you, add another one.
If you think you could use more help, you can set up an individual study skills appointment by calling UCCS at 612-624-3323. |
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