Study Skills and Time Management

1. Study Skills and Time Management Goal: To provide students with strategies to complete tasks on time while maintaining a balanced life.

2. Prep for Success Your success in class depends on your organization and interest. SLANT Strategy: • S - Sit up straight; • L - Lean forward (writing position); • A - Activate your thinking; • N - Note important points; • T - Track the talker (keep your eyes on whomever is doing the informing). This strategy will serve you well throughout life, especially in high school and college. Share with an elbow partner: Why do you think the Slant Strategy helps you focus?

3. Using a Binder • Your binder should be neat, complete, and organized. This takes devotion and time! • Put your Student Planner in the front, separate classes using dividers, and add lined paper and/or Cornell notes to each section. • Make sure your notes and class handouts are in order by date. • 3 hole punch and then insert returned assignments, quizzes, and tests in notebook to study later. • At the end of a unit or exam take the section out of your binder and put in labeled folder.

4. Managing Your Time • BALANCE! Life is not all homework! Make the most of every opportunity during high school by becoming/staying involved, but be sure to balance it all by using time management strategies effectively. • What is your greatest challenge with managing your time?

5. Accounting for Time • Take time to reflect on your day so far; how do you spend most of your time? Are you finding any wasted time? • What does the rest of your day look like? • What ways can you maximize your time to accomplish more today and this week? • Is it time to start planning more effectively with your Student Planner? • The point is, as a high school student, you need some Time Management System for success.

6. Fitting It All In.You Are In Control? • Make a To-Do list every day. • It is ok to say NO. • Find the right time to study. • Review your notes every day. • Get enough sleep, exercise, and healthy foods. • Communicate your schedule with your family. • Don’t waste time agonizing and procrastinating.

7. LCHS Reading and Writing Strategies PAWS Strategy: • P – Preview/Predict: Look over the section and make an educated guess about the content. • A – Activate/Adjust: Activate your prior knowledge about the topic and adjust your reading strategy to one that works for you. • W – Word Watch/Wonder: Note unfamiliar words and ask yourself questions about the text. • S – Step/Summarize: Step away when your done, let it settle in your brain, and then write a brief summary of what you read. Share with an elbow partner: Why do you think the PAWS Strategy helps you remember what you’ve read?

8. Study Habit #1: Be Prepared for Class • Have a good organizational system • Come to class on time, prepared with materials, and ready to learn. Leave all the other distractors at the door, and enjoy just being able to engage in learning…seriously, when will you ever have this time again in your life! • What would someone see if they walked in a class where all students were prepared?

9. Study Habit #2: Take Notes • Take good notes in class—even if the teacher does not tell you to take notes. • Use Cornell notes if you know how. Ask your elbow partner if he or she uses Cornell notes. • Basic components of Cornell Notes: • Question-formulate questions based on notes to help clarify meanings, reveal relationships, establish continuity, and strengthen memory. • Recite-Cover the note taking column with a sheet of paper and recall answers to your questions or key ideas without looking. • Reflect-What is the significance of these facts? How can I apply this learning? How does this learning fit with what I already know? How can I extend this learning? • Review-Spend at least ten minutes reviewing your notes in order to prepare for the exam or the next class period. • Summary-After class summarize your notes in one or two sentences.

10. Study Habit #3: Study Effectively • Study every night for 1-2 hours even if you do not have homework—study notes, read a book, or get ahead on assignments. • Meet with a teacher after school to reassess or get extra help. • Study environment should be quiet without distractions. You want to study in a similar environment as you will be tested.

11. Study Habit #4: Test Taking Before the Test: • Know the test: What types of questions will be used: essay, short answer, multiple choice…? • Verify information: Can you use notes on the test? What material will the unit cover? • Study Effectively: This does NOT mean cram the night before. Review your notes and look for headings in the book. Make flash cards to help you study. • Develop a plan—pace yourself.

12. Study Habit #4: Test Taking During the test • Scan and Review: scan each section briefly and read ALL the directions. • Pace yourself. • Use Strategies: mouth questions to understand, process of elimination, etc.

13. Study Habit #4: Test Taking After the test • Reflect on your experience: What do you think you did well on? What should you do differently next time? • Analyze your result: are you pleased with the outcome? • Consult your teacher: follow up with your teacher if you are not happy with your performance or if you have questions.

14. Final Thoughts… • Balance is key. • You must stay personally healthy to better deal with life and its challenges. • Care for your brain—study even if you don’t have to. • Read through your notes every night. The more you read it the better you will remember it.

15. Sources: • AVID.org • CollegeBoard.org • Schoolguides.org • Time-Management-Guide.com • 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens by Steven Covey