STUDY SKILLS

Victoria WilliamsAnna Urbanski

Academic Learning Center

Objectives:

Explain the basic steps in brain-based learning

Discuss a variety of strategies for completing each step in the learning process

Describe how to take better notes Discuss Test Preparation Discuss Test-taking tips Review and answer any questions

Where does learning happen?

In your brain!!

Your brain was born to learn, loves to learn and knows how to learn!

The Basic Steps in Learning

ATTENTION!

How can you maintain attention?

When Reading… Have Intent Ask Questions Test yourself Build Interest Take Notes Highlight Underline Few Distractions

In Class…• Participate• Relate the subject

to your own life• Ask questions• Take Notes• Clear your mind• Relax• React

Building Interest

Set smaller, short-term goals

Reward yourself for reaching your goals

As you achieve your goals, you may notice that you feel proud, satisfied, triumphant, etc.

Remember, it is not an activity itself, but how we react to it that makes it interesting.

Challenge yourself academically, and have confidence in your ability

Memory Test… List One

- alligator- apple arrow Baby bird Book butterfly car- corn

- flower

hammer - house - money microscope ocean

- pencil rock

=Shoes table window

In one minute this list will disappear…..

The Basic Steps in Learning

ConnectionIn this step you interpret the information in a

way that is meaningful to you. Connect the information to what you already

know Personalize the information by applying it to

your life The more connections to the new information

you make, the easier it will be to remember it.

Connection…

• As you learn, the neurons in your brain begin to make connections…..

Neurons have fibers called dendrites that

grow as you learn

As dendrites grow they begin to connect

with each other at synapses

Chemical and electrical signals are transmitted

between cells at the synapse

More connections and stronger signals allow for greater memory

Memory Test… List Two Food

Carrot Orange Banana Cauliflower

Animal Cat Rabbit Zebra Tiger

Tool Screwdriver Ax Hammer Knife

Place Mountain Lake Forest Plains

This List Will Disappear in One Minute!

The Basic Steps in Learning: Review

As you rehearse, review, or practice what you have learned the synapses in your brain become stronger

Practice… including making mistakes is an important component of learning

When you review, don’t just look over information, but test yourself to get feedback “do you really know the information?”

Review by Self-testing

Cornell notes Note cards (on-line and cell phone note cards) On-line practice tests End of chapter or section questions Creating a map, chart or outline of the main ideas Try to explain what you have learned to another

person Join a focused study group and test each other

Note-Taking

General Tips: Do not try to copy down what the professor says

word for word. Use your own words when possible

Develop a system for organizing your notes

Listen for cues in the lecture that let you know the organization/importance of material

Strategies for controlling test anxiety

Regularly review materials so that you do not have to cram

Use the “five-day study plan” to prepare Eat and sleep well Use positive self-talk Visualize yourself doing well Try deep breathing techniques to relax when

you get to the test Focus on doing well in on other assignments

Review….

What are three basic steps in learning? What is one strategy that you think might

help you maintain attention in one of your classes?

What is one strategy that you think might help you connect information in meaningful ways?

What is one review strategy that you think might be helpful?

QUESTIONS????