Study skills

Study skills

tools and strategies that help students learn and retain information effectively.

Note-taking

turning information into a format that's easier for you to understand, like summarizing key points or creating mind maps

Active listening

pay close attention to what's being said in class or during discussions, asking and taking notes

Critical thinking

analyzing information, evaluating evidence, and forming your own opinions

Organization

managing your time, setting goals, creating a study schedule to stay on top of assignments and deadlines

7 highways to the brain

what we:

• see

• hear

• feel (touch)

• taste

• smell

• do

• feel and imagine

How does learning take place?

The more active the brain is, the stronger the connections between the neurons are.

• Learning shapes the brain, and the brain never stops to think, learn, remember or discover.

How do we create neural connections

Learn, solve problems, recall, read think, calculate, reflect and write.

types of formal learning

- revision

- projects

- tests/exams

- assignments

- essays

- studying

- recall

- homework

informal learning

learn through watching and copying other people's behaviour

formal learning

planned technical, professional and academic learning that takes place in a structured environment

Rote learning/ cramming

Going over information again and again until it is stored in your long-term memory so that you can recall the information for tests and exams.

main types of memory

- short term memory

- long term memory

short term memory

- stored in our brain for only a minute or two

- can only store a limited number of items at a time

long term memory

- important functions is store learning and knowledge which helps us get ahead of life

- essential to all learning

study styles

an individual's preferred way of learning and processing information.

How can study styles be categorized

- visual

- auditory

- kinesthetic

what does understanding one's learning style do?

help in optimizing study techniques

Right brain dominance

- concentrate better when the learning process is creative

- need to understand the aim of the task usually find a creative manner to complete the task

- pictures are important and help alot

- visual thinking, colours, daydreaming, emotions, movement, music

left brain dominance

- struggle to see the 'bigger picture'

- require the goals and aims early on and how they need to reach these goals

- cope better with structured lessons

Tips on improving your brain function

- Use your brain every day.

- Study, ask questions, answer questions, solve problems.

- Read, write, and work every day.

- Draw graphs, diagrams, pictures,

- Ask and answer questions for yourself.

- Read with attention.

- Repeat.

- Review what you learn.

study strategies

specific method that students use to improve their learning

Study strategies as a way to complete tasks

Use a method that allows you to read actively, asks questions, get answers, that is practical, repeats and reviews as you study.

SQ3R - method

Survey, Question, Read, Recite, Review

Survey

- use skimming technique

- look at headings, sub-headings, first and last paragraphs and first sentences

Question

- Read through the text

- ASK: What? When? Why? Where? Who? How?

Read

- read all the text for understanding

- highlight key words or facts

- make notes

Recite

- recite the information out loud

- Repeat a few times

Review

Revisit the information after:

- 1 day

- 1 week

- 1 month

How to plan your study time strategically

• Plan and review your study timetable.

• Where, when, what and how are you going to study?

• Planning is important to allow yourself enough time to study the work effectively.

• Prioritise your daily activities

How to prepare yourself for the exam

- Start studying ahead of time.

- Ensure to get enough sleep.

- Practice old exam papers. It will help you to understand what will be expected of you.

- Eat breakfast before the exam.

- Arrive on time at the examination center.

- Remember everything you will need: pen

What to do before you start writing

- Listen carefully to any instructions shared by the chief invigilator.

- Wait for the teacher to tell you to turn over your exam paper.

- Take note of the instructions on how many questions you have to answer

- Scan the questions and identify the ones you feel confident about

common exam mistakes

- spotting only some questions

- arriving late

panic before/ during paper

- failing to read instructions and scale through questions

- reading and writing too slow

analyse

Break up into separate parts and discuss, examine, interpret, explore and investigate each part. Say how each part is important. Explain how the parts are linked or related.

apply

Use in practical way. Use your knowledge and understanding of the topic to make it relevant to a situation, issue or problem.

assess

Make a value judgement that you justify by giving reasons.

calculate

You need to get to an answer by using numbers. You will add, subtract, multiply or divide numbers to reach an answer.

comment

Give your opinion on, explain or criticise.

compare

Look at two or more things. Identify similarities and differences.

complete

Add the missing information.

consider

Think about and give your opinion.

contrast

Focus on the differences between two or more things.

create

Put together ideas or parts to develop an original idea

critisice

You need to make judgements to show your own ideas and evaluation.

define

You need to give the exact meaning of the term or words. Definitions are short and exact. This is not a discussion.

describe

Give an account of something where you recall what you have learned or state what you observed.

determine

Find out the facts

summarise

Give a very short and brief account. Include a short conclusion. Do not give unnecessary details.

suggest

Give possible reasons or ideas. These must be believable.

state

explain exactly and clearly as it is

informal assessments

takes place on a regular basis and helps you and your teacher see how you are doing

formal assessments

you will be required to complete different formal task in each subject

- these contribute to your final year mark

Personal development goals

- Study Study with a purpose.

- Study SMARTmer.

- Decide what you want to accomplish during this period.

- Know which pages or sections you want to learn.

- Plan how you will test what you have learned.

Guidelines to keep your brain healthy

• Eat healthy food types. Proteins like nuts and beans.

• Avoid fast food and sugar-filled food

• Avoid additives in food like artificial flavourings

• Avoid smoking, drugs and alcohol

• Drink water while you are studying