Agenda

1. Agenda Part 1: Being a Prepared Student Part 2: Being an Effective Listener Part 3: Taking Quality Notes Part 4: Preparing for Tests Part 5: Dealing with Anxiety

2. Student Effectiveness Starts With Being Prepared "Always have a plan and believe in it. Nothing good happens by accident." ~ Chuck Knox, NFL football coach

3. Top 12 Study Skills Necessary for Academic Success… • Note taking • Goal Setting • Selecting Ideas from Texts and Lectures • Time Management • Problem Solving • Concentration and Attentional Skills • Test Preparation • Questioning Skills • Inference Skills • Self-Directional Processes • Verbal Elaboration Ability • Imaginal Elaboration http://learningassistance.com/2007/september/printables/studyskillsprint.html

4. Being Prepared Means… • Using a three-ring binder • Pages can be easily removed for reviewing. • Handouts can be inserted into your notes for cross-referencing. • You can insert your own out-of-class notes in the correct order. • Bringing highlighters to class. Highlight when the instructor says… • "This is an important concept.“ • "Make sure you understand this." • Reading assigned material and previous class notes before class. • Note concepts you don't understand. • Look up vocabulary words that are unfamiliar to you.

5. Effective Listening "Learn how to listen and you will prosper even from those who talk badly." ~ Plutarch (A.D. 46 - 120). Greek biographer and philosopher

6. Effective Listening is… • Having a positive attitude • Being an active listener • Adapting to the direction of the lecture • Never • Calling the Subject Dull • Criticizing the Speaker • Getting Over-stimulated • Listening Only For Facts • Trying To Outline Everything • Faking Attention • Tolerating Distraction • Choosing Only What's Easy • Letting Emotion-Laden Words Get In The Way • Wasting the Differential Between Speech and Thought Speed

7. Effective Note-Taking "Never use a sentence when you can use a phrase, or a phrase when you can use a word.” ~Berkeley

8. General Note-Taking Guidelines • Start each new lecture on a new page • Date & number each page • Write on one side of the paper only • Leave blank spaces. • Make your notes as brief • Use abbreviations and symbols. • Note unfamiliar vocabulary / concepts

9. Include in Your Notes… • Main Points with supporting • Details • Facts • Explanations • Discussed enumerations or lists • Definitions, word for word • Material written on boards or transparencies • Drawings or charts.  • Repeated or spelled information

10. Always Edit Your Notes… • Review notes within 24 hours • Edit for illegible words and phrases • Write out abbreviated words that might be unclear later • Edit with a different colored pen • Fill in key words / questions in the left-hand column • Highlight what you don't understand • Fill in notes from your textbook

11. Note-Taking Systems • The Cornell Method • The Outline Method • The Mapping Method • The Charting Method • The Sentence Method

12. The Cornell Method • Method • 2½ inch left-hand margin / 6 inch right-hand margin • Take notes in 6 inch area • New point, skip a few lines • Clean up notes after class--create summaries • Write a cue in the left margin • Review by covering notes with a card • Say cue / say material underneath the card • Move the card / see if what you said matches what is written • Advantages • Organized and systematic • Easy format for pulling out major concept and ideas • Simple and efficient • Saves time and effort • Disadvantages – None • When to Use - Any lecture

13. The Outline Method • Method • Organized space indention pattern • Major points left / more specific right • Levels of importance = distance away from the major point • Space relationships will indicate the major/minor points • Advantages • Well-organized • Records content / relationships • Reduces editing / easy to review--turning main points into questions • Disadvantages • Requires thought in class for accurate organization • May not show sequence relationships • Cannot be used if the lecture is too fast. • When to Use—When… • Lecture presented in outline—deductive or inductive • Sufficient time is available • You can handle the outlining regardless of the situation.

14. The Mapping Method • Method… • Relates fact or idea to every other fact or idea • Graphic representation of lecture content • Maximizes active participation / Emphasizes critical thinking • Advantages • Visually track the lecture • Relationships can easily be seen • Easy to edit by adding numbers, marks, and color coding • Review by restructuring thought processes • Disadvantages • May not hear changes from major points to facts • When to Use—When… • Lecture content is heavy & well-organized • A guest lecturer presents

15. The Charting Method • Method • Determine the categories • Set up paper in advance by columns headed by categories • Listen & record information into appropriate categories • Advantages • Helps you track the lecture • Reduces amount of writing • Provides easy review mechanism • for memorization of facts • for study of comparisons and relationships • Disadvantages • Learning how to use the system • Locating appropriate categories • When to Use—When… • Test focuses on facts and relationships • Content is heavy and presented fast • You want to reduce the amount of time you spend editing and reviewing • You want an overview of the whole course on one big paper sequence

16. The Sentence Method • Method • Write every new thought, fact or topic numbered on a separate line • Advantages • Slightly more organized than the paragraph • Gets more or all of the information • Disadvantages • Can’t determine major/minor points • Difficult to edit without rewriting to by clustering related points • Difficult to review unless editing cleans up relationship • When to Use—When… • Lecture is organized & heavy with content quickly delivered • You hear different points, but don’t know how they fit together • Instructor presents in point fashion without related groups

17. Note-Paper Generators • http://www.simson.net/notepaper/index.cgi • http://www.eleven21.com/notetaker/ • http://www.botsko.net/Demos/notepad_generator/

18. Testing Effectiveness Starts With Being Prepared "A good plan, violently executed now, is better than a perfect plan next week.“ ~General George S. Patton Jr.

19. General Test Taking Tips • Preparation for your first test begins the first day of class • Studying • Completing homework assignments • Reviewing study materials on a regular basis. • Manage your time • Go to any review sessions offer by the instructor • Pay attention to hints • Take careful notes • Ask questions

20. General Test Taking Tips(continued) • Go to class immediately before test • Review material from… • Practice tests • Homework • Sample problems • Review material • The textbook • Class notes • Eat a light meal for energy and focus

21. General Test Taking Tips(continued) • No all-nighters • Sleep at least 3 hours • Set your alarm • Set a backup alarm • Create a one page study sheet • Go to the bathroom before the test • Get to class 5 minutes before the test

22. Specific Test Taking Tips • Bring… • Two pens/pencils with good erasers • Calculator with enough batteries • Any other resources that your instructor allows • Watch • Keep a positive attitude / Stay relaxed • Survey the entire test / pace yourself • Do easiest problems first / skip what you don’t know • Ask for clarification • Write legibly • Read the whole question / no assumptions • When done check over the complete test • Put your first and last name on the test

23. Post Test Taking Tips • Check for grading mistakes • Analyze & learn from your mistakes • Take notes on correct answers • Seek make-up exam / extra credit • Study test for cumulative exams

24. Multiple Choice Strategies • Read question first & determine the answer • Read all choices / Use process of elimination • Make educated guesses • Don't change your answer • Don’t choose "All of the above" if any distracter is false • Don’t choose "None of the above" if any distracter is true • Two or more distracters correct choose “All of the above” • A positive choice more likely to be true than a negative one • Correct answer / choice with the most information.

25. Essay Test Strategies • Read the directions / Follow them exactly • Make sure you understand the question • Write everything you know about the question • Budget your time • Question asks for facts, give facts, not opinions • Write legibly / Be neat • Outline your essay so it is organized and flows • No long introductions & conclusions/ Spend time answering question(s) • Focus on one main idea per paragraph. • Proofread & correct errors • Draw one line through a mistake

26. True-False Test Strategies • Most tests have more true than false answers • Guess if no penalty applies • Read each statement carefully • Pay attention to the qualifiers and keywords • Never, always, & every lead to a false answer. • Usually, sometimes, and generally" mean lead to a true answer • Part false / All false • Part true / True or False

27. Short Answer Test Strategies • Create flashcards • Front--key terms, dates and concepts • Back--definition, event, and explanations • Anticipate questions & prepare answers • No blanks--go for partial credit • Don't know--come back & make educated guess • Read question carefully / multiple parts

28. Math Test-Taking Strategies • Repetition = Results in Math • Practice solving problems on each topic in different levels of difficulty • Solve problems on your own first, then check answers • Create study sheet w/formulas & memorize them • When you get test write formulas in margins • Read directions carefully • Answer all parts of each question • Estimate answers • Show all your work • Write legibly • Don't erase work--go for partial credit • Check test when done--Make sure… • Redo questionable problems on a separate piece of paper • Compare reworked answer to test answer • Look for careless mistakes • Copied the numbers correctly • Signs are correct • Arithmetic is correct

29. Open Book Test-Taking Strategies Open book tests are usually difficult so… • Spend equal or greater amount of time preparing • Be Familiar with book & relevant materials • Create study sheet with most important information • Focus on main ideas & where they are located • Highlight important points • Use post-it notes • Bookmarks • Annotate book • Bring all resources instructor allows • Answer easy questions first • Don’t over-quote / Provide insight & commentary

30. Self-SabotageAnxiety I keep the telephone of my mind open to peace, harmony, health, love and abundance. Then, whenever doubt, anxiety or fear try to call me, they keep getting a busy signal – and soon they’ll forget my number.~Edith Armstrong

31. Test Anxiety = Stress So…What is stress? …our perceptions of and reactions to the positive or negative situations that occur in our lives.

32. Fight or Flight Response • Pituitary gland automatically releases • Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), which signals • Adrenal glands to release the “stress hormones” • Adrenaline • Cortisol • Hormones help us • Focus on the situation at hand • Speed up reaction times • Temporarily boost our physical strength and agility

33. Fight or Flight Response(continued) Automatic physiological responses to stress • Heart pounds • Hands/Feet cooler than usual • Face warm/Cheeks & ears pink • Pressure headache • Mouth dry • Upset stomach or butterflies in stomach • Feel restless • Sweat / Hands clammy

34. Fight or Flight Response(continued) • Emotional responses • Frustration • Anger “Virtually every organ and every chemical constituent of the human body is involved in the general stress reaction.” ~Dr. Hans Selye, The Stress of Life

35. Three Levels of Stress Acute stress • Most manageable • Heart rates jump • Blood pressures raise • Tension headaches • Momentarily angry, elated, boisterous or resentful • Temporary • Step back to curb out of the path of a vehicle • Home team wins (or loses) • Cry in joy, relief, frustration

36. Levels of Stress(continued) Episodic acute stress • Life gets the best of you • Deserve a raise and/or promotion, but don’t ask • Life spins out of control • One disaster after another • Illness • Divorce • Loss of employment • Symptoms • Recurring headaches • Indigestion • Fatigue • Insomnia

37. Levels of Stress(continued) Chronic stress • Literally wears us out • Body & mind reacts / serious long-term physical and/or mental disorders. • Occurs when situations become impossible • Long ignored symptoms become invisible • Grinding teeth • Tremors • Confusion • Forgetfulness • Over-eating • Alcoholism

38. Effects of Stress • AcuteStress • Headaches • Digestive problems • Eating disorders • Insomnia • Fatigue • Episodic Stress • Heart disease • High blood pressure • Stroke • Chronic Stress • Hopelessness • Constant anxiety • Depression • Paranoia and delusions • Suicide

39. Managing Stress • Take a Deep Breath & Count to 10 • Stand up and smile / Every cloud has a silver lining • Take a short walk / Exercise / Participate in a sport • Stop and Smell the Roses / Take the time to enjoy life • Sleep on it / Take a nap / Get a good night's rest • Know your limitations / Dare to say no • Be pro-active in finding peace • Need help, ask for it / Talk to a friend • Eat healthily • Listen to your favorite music • Plan out your time and prioritize • Get a massage / Take a warm bath • Read a book / Watch TV / Play a game

40. Reducing Test Anxiety • Be well prepared • Space out your studying • Maintain a positive attitude • Exercise to help reduce stress. • Get a good night's sleep before the test • Be on time to class / Not too early • Stay relaxed / Use relaxation strategies • Read the directions slowly and carefully • Skim through the test / Pace yourself • Record formulas, facts, definitions, keywords in the margin • Build confidence / Do the simple questions first • Don't worry about how fast other people finish their test • Don't know, skip it & come back later • Focus / Don't let your mind wander

41. A Final Thought… He has achieved success who has lived well, laughed often and loved much; who has gained the respect of intelligent men and the love of little children; who has filled his niche and accomplished his task; who has left the world better than he found it, whether by an improved poppy, a perfect poem, or a rescued soul; who has never lacked appreciation of earth's beauty or failed to express it; who has always looked for the best in others and given them the best he had; whose life was an inspiration; whose memory a benediction. —Bessie Stanley

42. References • Web Addresses • http://www.dartmouth.edu/~acskills/success/notes.html • http://jerz.setonhill.edu/writing/academic/notes-tips.htm • http://www.testtakingtips.com/ • http://www.stressmanagementtips.com/ • Books • Hipp, Earl (1995). Fighting Invisible Tigers. MN: Free Spirit Publishing. • Smith, Brenda D. (2008). Bridging the Gap (9TH ed.). NY: Pearson Education, Inc. • Mather, Peter and McCarthy, Rita (2007). Reading and All That Jazz (3rd ed.). IL: McGraw Hill Companies, Inc.