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LEARNING TIPS
GETTING ORGANIZED

• Students should use a calendar to write down exam dates and assignments.
• Use the calendar to plan study time as well as social time and exercise (see the appendix). Time management is critical to a student’s success.
• Use a three-ring binder with dividers and loose-leaf paper for the course. Label the dividers for items like the syllabus, notes, homework, and exams. Exams can be hole-punched or stored in pockets. The binder will allow the insertion of handouts or extra notes in the proper color to make studying more efficient.

NOTE TAKING

• Studies show that students that take more notes score higher. Students should take thorough notes using a system such as Cornell Notes or T-Notes (see Appendix).
• Cornell Notes have topics on the left and equations on the right. See the following website for examples: http://www.cssdesigns.com/learningtoolbox/cornell.html and Pauk Chapter 10.
• T-Notes are similar to Cornell Notes but have a title across the top then a similar dividing line down the middle of the page.
• Students need to be focused and pay close attention to the instructor in order to take thorough notes. See Pauk Chapter 9.
• In taking notes students should not write on every line.
• Students should review their notes after class as soon as possible and add information that may have been left out while they were writing quickly. Students need to recite the notes out loud occasionally to increase the rate of retention of the knowledge.
• Memory degrades over time. It is necessary to review notes in order to retain information until the test. Students need to review their notes within 24 hours so as to retain a majority of the information. Review the notes occasionally before the test.

DELAYED GRATIFICATION

• Students need to avoid procrastination. Studies show than many successful students practice delayed gratification. Students should start working on homework early rather than late, then reward themselves for their effort.
• Procrastination can mean the student won’t have enough time to ask questions before the test. If problem areas are identified early, there will be time to visit the instructor during office hours or visit a tutor.

MOTIVATION

• Find your preferred learning style. Take a learning assessment instrument like the Learning and Study Strategies Inventory (LASSI), the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), or the Kolb Learning Style Inventory (LSI). These instruments can help a student become aware of their strengths so they can develop a plan for improvement.
• If you are struggling, form an action plan to improve your study techniques. You may need to improve your note taking, note reviewing, class attendance, homework strategies, test preparation, or other item(s).
• A student’s average attention span is between 12 and 20 minutes.

TEST TAKING

• Students should immediately write down formulas and other vital information on the back of the test as soon as they receive it. This “data dump” will allow the student to feel more comfortable as they begin the test.
• Studies show that cramming is not nearly as effective as systematic learning that is spread out over time.
• Students need to maintain a positive attitude before and during the exam.
• Relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or closing eyes can be effective.
• Students should “over learn” the material. Over learning involves the repetition of problems from the notes, homework, and review problems. It is important for students to be able to recognize a problem early.

Recommended books for students:

• College Study, the Essential Ingredients by Sally Lipsky, 2004.
• How to Study in College by Walter Pauk, 1997, 2001, and a new edition coming in 2005.
• Academic Transformation by De Sellers and Russ Hodges, first edition coming in 2005.

copyright 2003, Daniel Dewberry