• "Understand first. Memorize second."
    Study Skills for Success
     
     
     
    After Class:
     
    For ten to fifteen minutes (as soon after class as possible) do each of the following:
     
       a.  Write down any questions you have about what was covered in class.
           
       b.   Write down any vocabulary you did not understand.  
     
       c.  Reread your class notes. (What the teacher writes on the board is
             usually important. Copy it down with enough explanation that you will 
             understand what it means two weeks from now.)
     
        d.  Review what was covered in class:
    •    What was the topic?
    •    What does it have to do with what we are studying?
    •    Why are we studying this?
    •    How does it relate to previous lessons?
    •    How does it relate to you personally?

    Memory Tips:
     
    • Associate information
       
      Attach new information to something you already know.  Example - The character Holden Caulified lies a lot; My little brother likes to make up stories too to try to avoid getting in trouble.
    • Sort information

    Help your retrieval system by putting new information into categories. You can group by dates, people, formulas, etc. It may help to make a chart as you study.

    • Frequent review

    Studying new information the same day you heard or read it will improve memory significantly. A small review each day is essential if you have memory problems.

    • Use humor or exaggeration

    Information stays in memory longer if it is related to something novel and interesting. Make up something funny or exaggerated that ties in to what needs to be memorized.

    • Explore the senses

    Try learning the information visually, verbally, and kinesthetically (with movement) and find which sense works best for you. Some people need to combine two or more senses.

    • Color code

    By using colored pens, highlighters, post-it notes and flags, index cards, etc.you can make an impression on your memory. This is a way of sorting information for storage as you assign colors.

    • Make visual aids

    Draw pictures or cartoon characters, graphs, tables, charts, time lines, etc. to aid memory. Even simple stick figures and drawings are useful if you are a visual learner. Pay attention to pictures, charts, etc. in textbooks.

    • Rehearse aloud

    Verbal rehearsal is an effective memory tool. Study with someone or use a taperecorder to say aloud what needs to be memorized.

    • Make it physical

    Adding a physical activity such as pacing, jumping, throwing a ball, or writing enhances the memory for many people. Typing or rewriting notes is a very effective memory device for people who need to learn kinesthetically.

    • Turn memory practice into a game

    Make cards to match words and definitions, causes to effects, etc. and play a memory game by turning over two cards at a time. Time yourself to see how long it takes to match all the cards. The act of making the game also creative and fun!
     

     
    Take the time to study long before test day!
     
     
    Procrastination (waiting until the last minute) creates stress.

                                      DON'T DO IT!