Mid-Term Exam Study Strategies

1. Mid-Term Exam Study Strategies Compiled by: Mrs. Sheetz JCHS Reading Specialist Room 2310

2. How Do You Study? • Many students think they are studying by simply “reading over their notes.” This is NOT REALLY studying! • Brain research shows that: • We forget 65-75% of what we learn and experience in 24 hours • We need to interact with new material REGULARLY before we actually remember it • Most students take notes in class or out of textbooks, which is simply copying material and not really processing it. • Try a three step method of note-taking: • 1. COPY: Copy notes in class or from the textbook • 2. CREATE: Re-copy or cut and paste notes into a new format, such as flashcards, foldables, or graphic organizers • 3. INTERACT: Use the new format to actually interact with and study the material!

3. Know Your Learning Style • What kind of learner are you? Knowing the answer to this question is the difference between the grades you want and the grades you earn! • If you have not already done so, complete a learning styles inventory (try this quick one: http://people.usd.edu/~bwjames/tut/learning-style/or see me in Room 2310 for a longer version) • You will be diagnosed as a visual, auditory, or kinesthetic/tactile learner • Study to best meet the needs of your dominant learning style • Incorporate more than one style if possible • Ex: Create flashcards, add pictures to them, and read them aloud to yourself or to another person while visualizing the words and accompanying pictures!  SUCCESS

4. Visual Learners • Sounds obvious, but actually LOOK at all of your study materials! • Suggested means of studying include using: • Notes • Annotate them • Highlight them • Make separate lists of what you still need to learn as you study • Flashcards • Try quizlet.com if you prefer using technology • iphones and Androids have various flashcard maker apps • Graphic Organizers • Charts, maps, and diagrams • First letter or sentence mnemonics • Ex: ROYGBIV to remember the color spectrum • Practice visualizing or picturing words/concepts in your head. • Add visuals and color to everything! Can’t draw? Google Images is your new best friend! • Google You-Tube videos on the topic you are learning about • Ex: Khan Academy for math topics http://www.youtube.com/user/khanacademy

5. Auditory Learners • Sounds obvious, but actually LISTEN! • Read everything out loud to yourself, to someone else, or to a pet while you read and study. • Suggested means of studying include: • Take notes and read them out loud • Create flashcards and read them out loud • Try quizlet.com if you prefer using technology • iphones and Androids have various flashcard maker apps • Talk to a study partner or classmate about the material and study aloud with each other • Teach the material to another person or to a pet • Make up a song about the new material or put the new material to the tune of your current favorite song • After you have read something, summarize it and recite it aloud • Google You-Tube videos on the topic you are learning about • Ex: Khan Academy for math topics http://www.youtube.com/user/khanacademy

6. Kinesthetic/Tactile Learners • Sounds obvious, but MOVE while you study! • While you study: • Take frequent breaks and walk around • Study for 15 minutes/break for 5 minutes • Try studying with a tennis ball or another object in your hand • Chew gum or snack while you study • Suggested means of studying include: • Re-copy or re-type notes several times • Create your OWN study guides and study sheets • Create flashcards • Try quizlet.com if you prefer using technology • iphones and Androids have various flashcard maker apps • Create foldables • Create your own memory and/or matching games with your flashcards and/or foldables • Choreograph dances or movements incorporating the material you are studying