Use pencil or erasable pen to keep notes neat

Leave a wide margin on the left side of each page

Key words (topics, people, places, events, etc.) help you organize your thoughts, and they make your notes more understandable. Key words are also helpful to use when you are reviewing for a test; just cover up your notes, look at each key word, and then test yourself to see what you can remember about that topic, person, place, or event.

Go over your notes as soon as possible

While the information is still fresh in your mind, go over your notes and clarify anything that’s confusing. Fill the spaces, and make sure that you have all of the key words written in the margins. As you review your notes, eliminate unimportant information. If you are really serious about getting good grades, rewrite your notes using your own words. Your notes will be much clearer, and as you rewrite them, you’ll also learning the material. This is time consuming, but it pays off.

Get copies of class notes if you’re absent

When you are absent, it is your responsibility to ask your teacher for handouts and assignments. It is also your responsibility to make up any work that you’ve missed. Get copies of notes you’ve missed.

Know how to read a textbook

When you know how to read a textbook, you understand and remember what you read.

Learning Tools

• Boldface subtitles tell you exactly what you’re going to be reading about. All important words are in bold or italic print.
• Make note of pictures, charts, graphs, lists of vocabulary words, summaries, and review questions.

Scan

Scanning gives you a quick overview of the material you’re going to be reading . It provides you with a great deal of information in a very short time.

• To scan, read the title, the subtitles, and everything in bold and italic print.
• Look at the pictures, graphs and charts, go over the review questions, and read the summaries.

Read

• Give your reading a purpose. Turn each boldfaced subtitle into a question. For example, you could turn the subtitle The Beatles change their image, into the question “What did the Beatles do to change their image?
• Keep this question in mind as you read, and when you finish the section, see if you can answer your question.
• Before you start to read a section, look to see if there are any vocabulary words, names, places, or events in bold or italic print, and then ask yourself “Why is this word, person, place, or event important?
• When you have completely finished your reading, you should be able to answer all of the Review Questions.

Review

Taking a few minutes for review will make a huge difference in what you’re able to remember later. When you review, you lick the information into your brain before it has a chance to evaporate .

• Go back to the beginning and go through the same process you did when you scanned the material.
• Respond to the boldfaced subtitles, briefly restate the purpose or the point of each section to yourself using your own words.
• Look at the vocabulary words and words in bold and italic print. Think about what they mean and why they are significant.
• To really lock the information into your brain, review again a day or two later.

Study smart

Students who “study smart” find that they spend less time studying, and yet they get better grades.

Find a good place to study

• Make sure you have a proper surface for writing, it’s comfortable, and well lit.
• Have paper, pens, pencils, calculator, dictionary, thesaurus, and proper reference books.

Get started

• Don’t make excuses, don’t wait until you’re “in the mood.”
• Begin with something simple or a subject that you like.

Know your learning style

• Visual learners = learn best by seeing (take notes, use flash cards, charts and diagrams form pictures in your mind, make use of color in notes).
• Auditory learners = learn best by listening ((read aloud, have discussions, listen to tapes, review information out loud, and use memory trick involving rhythm and rhyme).
• Kinesthetic learners = learn best by doing and by use of technology (Move around while you study, use objects whenever possible, and role play ideas and concepts). If you’re a technological learner, use computers, and the Internet to keep you interested, motivated, and focused.

Organize your study time

• Make a study plan -decide exactly what you want to get done and the order in which you’re going to do it.
• Prioritize your work and leave enough time for the things most important.
• Break down overwhelming tasks into smaller parts.
• Always allow more time than you think you’ll need.
• Study material that has to be memorized first! Then go over it again at the end of your study session.
• Study your least favorite subject to get it out of the way.
• Alternate types of assignments (e.g. read English, do math, read, do history).
• Know when and how to take breaks. Research shows that you learn the most during the first 10 minutes and the last 10 minutes of any study session. After studying 20 minutes, try taking a short break (get a drink, get up and stetch, etc.).

Know how to study for tests

• Know what the test is going to cover.
• Essay Tests - understand the big picture and know main points and key facts.
• Fill-in-the-blank tests/Multiple choice tests - know detailed information
• Pay particularly close attention in class the day before a test. Teachers often review information you will need to know.
• Have all your reading done ahead of time.
• Know all the answers to textbook review question and bold and italic words.
• Study information on review sheet and know everything on it.
• Teach the material to yourself in front of the mirror.
• Review often and review out loud.
• Write down any names, dates, formulas, and/or facts that you need to remember on an index cards. Go over the cards as often as you can.

Use tricks to help you memorize information

• Use flashcard to memorize vocabulary words, facts, and lists.
• Write down what you want to memorize and stare at it. Say it, and then look at it again. Repeat process until you know it.
• Before you go to sleep, review any information that you want to remember.
• Use acronyms to help you memorize.
• Use the first letter of words you want to remember to make up silly sentences.
• Look for easy or logical connections.
• Information is easier to remember if it’s grouped or categorized. Use lists and diagrams to group related terms, facts, ideas, etc.
• Use ridiculous, unforgettable images to help trigger your memory.

Know how to write a paper

• Leave yourself sufficient time for brainstorming, taking notes, and outlining.
• Write a rough draft and rewrite the paper until you have it jus the way you want it.
• Write your final draft. Put the paper aside for at least 1-2 days before rereading it. You’ll see and hear things that you didn’t notice before.
• Have someone else read your paper
• Make sure there are no spelling or grammatical errors.
• Identify another person’s words or ideas by using quotation marks or footnotes.
• Make sure that your Works Cited follows the correct specified format; MLA, APA, Chicago.

Use tricks when making a presentation or speech

• Use props whenever possible. Props (posters, books, etc.) give you something to look at and something to do with your hands.
• Put notes on the back of your props.

Have good computer skills

Use test-taking strategies

Improve your test-taking strategies

Get off to a good start

• Have everything you need for the test when you go to class.
• As soon as you get your test, write anything you want to remember (facts, dates, equations, formulas, memory aids, etc.) in light pencil at the top of your test.
• Put your name on the test.
• Read the directions carefully.

Develop a plan

Quickly look over the entire test and allot a specific amount of time per section.

Mark the questions that you want to return to

• Go through the questions.
• Put a dot or light check mark by those you are unsure of.
• After you’ve gone through all of the questions, return to the ones that you’ve marked, and try them again.
• If you’re not sure of an answer, go with your first instinct.

Increase your odds on multiple-choice questions

• Try to come up with the answer in your head before you look at the choices.
• Eliminate the choices you know are incorrect by crossing them out. Make an educated guess.
• If two choices are similar or opposite, one of them is probably the correct answer.
• Read all of the answer choices.

Look for key words in True/False questions

• Statements with always, never, every, all, and none in them are usually false.
• Statements with usually, often, sometimes, most, and many in them are usually true.
• Read True/False questions very carefully. One word will often determine whether a statement is True or False.

Know how to approach essay questions

• Read each question and begin with the easiest one.
• Note how many points each essay is worth, and adjust the time you spend on each question accordingly.
• Before doing any writing brainstorm. Jot down key words, ideas, and points. Organize your ideas into a simple outline or just number the ideas in the order you want to present them.
• Begin writing. Use clear, concise, complete sentences. In your opening paragraph, restate the question and tell the reader what he/she can expect to learn from your essay. In your middle paragraphs, present examples, details, evidence, and facts to support the points you’re making. In your final paragraph, restate the most important points, draw conclusions, and write a brief summary.
• If you don’t know the answer to an essay question, take a couple of minutes to write down what you do know about the subject.
• If you don’t have time to complete an essay, write your teacher a note explaining that you ran out of time. Then briefly list the points you would have covered.

Improve your math test scores

• Before you begin to solve a problem, try to estimate what the answers will be.
• If you’re having difficulty with a problem, try drawing a picture or a diagram.
• Don’t spend too much time on one problem. If you get stumped, move on and return later.
• Show all your work.

Be prepared for open book tests

• Highlight your notes in order to locate information quickly.
• Use self-stick notes or bookmarks in your textbook.
• Write down all the information that you know you’ll need on a separate sheet of paper.

Check your answers

• Check all your answers, even those you know are correct. You may have made a careless mistake.

Go over all returned tests

• Review each question missed and write the correct answer.
• Make sure your test was grades correctly.
• Keep a record of your test scores.
• Keep all returned tests in a separate folder.

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Reference Materials

A+ Research and Writing
http://www.ipl.org/div/teen/aplus/

Information Seeking Behavior
http://www.bcps.org/offices/lis/models/tips/

Choose the Best Search for your Information Need
http://www.noodletools.com/debbie/literacies/information/5locate/adviceengine.html

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Style Manuals & Writing Guides

Printable guides:

APA Format – 5th Edition
This University Library Guide is based on the 5th edition of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association.
http://www.calstatela.edu/library/guides/3apa.doc

The Chicago Manual of Style
This University Library Guide follows The Chicago Manual of Style 15th ed.
http://www.calstatela.edu/library/guides/3chicagoDN.doc

The Chicago Manual of Style Author-Date System
Used in the Physical, Natural, and Social Sciences
http://www.calstatela.edu/library/guides/3chicagoAD.doc

MLA (Modern Language Association) Style
This University Library Guide is based on the 6th edition of the the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers.
http://www.calstatela.edu/library/guides/3mla.doc

All guides are links that can be found on the web site:
Style Manuals and Writing Guides
http://www.calstatela.edu/library/styleman.htm

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