College Skills

Brainstorming sessions

Begin with an eight-minute brainstorm. For eight minutes, write down everything you think you want in your life. Write as fast as you can, and write whatever comes into your head. Leave no thought out. Don't worry about accuracy. The object of a brainstorm is to generate as many ideas as possible Read out loud the three long-term goals you selected in Part 1. Choose one of them. Then brainstorm a list of goals you might achieve in the next one to five years that would lead to the accomplishment of that one long-term goal. These are midterm goals. Spend eight minutes on this brainstorm. Go for quantity. Review your list of midterm goals and select one. In another eight-minute brainstorm, generate a list of short-term goals—those you can accomplish in a year or less that will lead to the attainment of that midterm goal. Write down everything that comes to mind. Do not evaluate or judge these ideas yet. For now, the more ideas you write down, the better

A study check list is the same thing as a review sheet. True False

False

Because web content usually is free, information from a web source need not be documented as thoroughly as that from print sources and the same concern for plagiarism need not be demonstrated. True False

False

Do not waste time on pre-writing in an essay question, as it only slows you down. True False

False

If something is in print or online it has been thoroughly researched and vetted. True False

False

Let's get it straight! There is only one way to highlight a text assignment. True False

False

Mind mapping organizes information (lecture) in a sequential, linear way. True False

False

Over learning material for short answer or completion test is a waste of time and energy. True False

False

People who favor processing information by reflective observation prefer to jump in and start doing things immediately. True False

False

Since Power Points are usually created by the lecturer, they provide no benefit towards your own study notes. True False

False

The Learning Styles Inventory is a test, best taken slowly and carefully. True False

False

The serious student will always wait until she has at least two hours available before doing the reading assignment or reviewing notes. True False

False

Using a dictionary while reading will only slow you down and interrupt your learning. True False

False

When you find your memory techniques fail you, this can predict your future inability to succeed. You should abort your efforts in these cases. True False

False

When you schedule conference time with an instructor it then becomes the instructor's responsibility to ask all the questions and guide the appointment. True False

False

While taking notes, you should mentally debate the speaker in order to engage with the speaker and the message. True False

False

Cornell Format for note-taking

Format your paper Take notes, leave the cue column blank Condense your notes in the cue column Write a summary Use the cue column to recite

To multiply the benefits of working in study groups, consider adding people of diverse backgrounds. True False

True

When an essay question asks you to enumerate, you should list the main parts in a meaningful order. True False

True

Whether it is writing a term paper or participating in an online course, the Power Process: "I create it all" is all about taking responsibility. True False

True

The First Step technique involves telling the truth. challenging yourself. willingness to change. all of the above.

all of the above.

Purpose of Discovery Wheel

an opportunity to tell the truth to yourself about the kind of student you are and the kind of student you want to become.

A technique for staying focused as you read includes avoiding marathon study sessions by taking short breaks. refraining from writing in your book. blocking out mental pictures that occur while reading. letting your mind wander.

avoiding marathon study sessions by taking short breaks.

According to your textbook, the truth about test scores is that they are a measure of your ability to be well-accomplished in a course. how well you do on a particular test. what you have learned in a course. your intelligence.

how well you do on a particular test.

The Power Process: "I create it all" is about making others responsible for your welfare and success. blaming yourself. feeling powerful and knowing you can change your behavior and responses. a process that only works well when things are going your way and great.

feeling powerful and knowing you can change your behavior and responses.

Techniques for overcoming math anxiety include all of the following except connecting the importance of math to your life. ignoring your mental pictures about math. changing your self-talk about math. practicing stress management techniques.

ignoring your mental pictures about math.

Master Student uses critical thinking...

in the early stages of planning and problem solving

Mind mapping helps you in the note taking process because it involves both left brain and right brain functions. helps you concentrate on the words. helps you see if you are really a left brain thinker. show you how much artistic intelligence you have.

involves both left brain and right brain functions.

During a lecture, if you hear something you disagree with, you should think about the disagreement internally for the rest of the class so you don't forget it. plan a way to interrupt the instructor to ask a question about it. note your disagreement and continue to focus on the rest of the lecture. assume the instructor is wrong and therefore ignore the rest of the material.

note your disagreement and continue to focus on the rest of the lecture.

Effective note taking consists of three parts: questioning, highlighting, and reviewing abbreviating, drawing, and summarizing observing, recording, and reviewing abbreviating, recording, and participating

observing, recording, and reviewing

An important test-taking technique is to pay attention to verbal directions given as a test is distributed. answer the most difficult questions first. stay with a question until you can answer it. ignore any tension you are feeling.

pay attention to verbal directions given as a test is distributed.

The best approach to open-book tests is to rely only on the textbook. focus only on the notes taken in class, especially formulas. relax and get more sleep since all the material will be at hand. prepare thoroughly by flagging any key information and highlighting relevant section in your readings and your notes.

prepare thoroughly by flagging any key information and highlighting relevant section in your readings and your notes.

Roadblocks to effective reading

-Finding enough time to keep up with your reading -Making choices about what to read once you find the time -Getting interrupted by other people while you're reading -Remembering the main ideas from what you read

The key to cramming is repetition. True False

True

Research notes are unique in that they will always resemble the notes you take in class. use source cards (for the bibliography) and information cards (for content). will reflect the course lecture content. must be done using a computer program.

use source cards (for the bibliography) and information cards (for content).

A reason that tape recorders can be used effectively in lecture is because you can use them in place of taking notes. focus more on what is being said. use them when the instructor speaks fast. tape record without the instructor's knowledge.

use them when the instructor speaks fast.

The VAK system incorporates three styles or sensory modes of learning that include versatile, automatic, knowledgeable. visual, auditory, kinesthetic. visual, auxiliary, kinesthetic. verbal, auditory, kinesthetic.

visual, auditory, kinesthetic.

When taking notes for an online course it is helpful to print everything and read it later. skip the notes because everything is on the computer and always available. concentrate only on the teacher's email messages. write Discovery and Intention Statements to capture key insights.

write Discovery and Intention Statements to capture key insights.

If you encounter unfamiliar words while reading, it helps to skip over the words and continue reading so you can finish the assignment. write the words and their sentences on 3 x 5 cards and look them up. ask your instructor later what the words mean. stop and sound out the words slowly.

write the words and their sentences on 3 x 5 cards and look them up.

The Power Process: "Notice your pictures and let them go" suggests that you can notice which mental pictures are getting in your way, then, gently, let them leave your mind and go away. one effective way to deal with pictures is to simply ignore them. letting these pictures run (and ruin) your life is unavoidable. once a picture goes away, it will not return.

you can notice which mental pictures are getting in your way, then, gently, let them leave your mind and go away.

The way or ways you put information into your memory can effect how well you remember the lesson. True False

True

Which of the following might be on a check list prepared well before an exam? Exam dates Reading assignments Ideas and definitions Various exam to-do related items All of these

All of these

Among the roadblocks to effective reading of school material is/are time scheduling. deciding what you have to read. avoiding interruptions. All of these.

All of these.

Multiple intelligences can help you achieve success in which of the following area(s)? Academics Careers Relationships All of these.

All of these.

Understanding learning styles can enable you to become a flexible learner. enable you to excel in many types of courses. learn from instructors with many different styles of teaching. All of these.

All of these.

Working in study groups

Choose a focus for your group Look for dedicated students Hold a planning session Do a trial run Assign roles Cycle through learning styles Teach each other Test one another Compare notes Create wall-size mind maps or concept maps to summarize a textbook or series of lectures. Monitor effectiveness Ask about extending the focus of your group

Which of the following does not describe the First Step technique? Telling the truth about who you are and what you want. Recognizing what is working and what isn't working in your life. Acknowledging your positive qualities. Criticizing the way things have been.

Criticizing the way things have been.

Power Process

Discover what you want Ideas are tools Be here now Love your problems Notice your pictures and let them go I create it all Detach Embrace the new Employ your word Risk being a fool Persist

Which is true of Gardner's ideas concerning multiple intelligences? As individuals we can develop skills in only one of the intelligences. Each of us has all of the intelligences to some degree. The nine intelligences are helpful only in a school environment. Of the nine intelligences, only four are used in a school setting.

Each of us has all of the intelligences to some degree.

The four modes of learning are associated with four questions, including all of the following except Mode 1: Why? Mode 2: What? Mode 3: How? Mode 4: When?

Mode 4: When?

Muscle Reading

PHASE 1: Before you read Step 1: Preview Step 2: Outline Step 3: Question PHASE 2: While you read Step 4: Focus Step 5: Flag Answers PHASE 3:After you read Step 6: Recite Step 7: Review Step 8: Review again

First Step Technique

Tell the truth about who you are and what you want. End of discussion

The four A's of taking meeting notes are Attendance, Agenda, Agreements, and Actions. True False

True

A good test taking strategy is to keep exams in perspective and not give them power they do not have. True False

True

A way to read difficult material is to pretend you understand it and then explain it to someone else (or even to yourself). True False

True

An ingredient to success is for students to connect their learning style to school, their major and future career(s). True False

True

Attitudes are powerful because they create behavior. True False

True

Because the effectiveness of a review begins to drop after an hour or so, a good strategy is to plan on giving yourself short rests. True False

True

Before recording a lecture you should obtain the professor's permission. True False

True

Bloom's Taxonomy is basically a list of different goals for learning. True False

True

Certain learning styles may lend themselves to specific study strategies that a student can use to foster success in a course. True False

True

Giving a study group member a different responsibility in preparing question types for each meeting will give members a chance to explore new learning styles. True False

True

On the job you can turn any text into a to-do list. True False

True

The Discovery Wheel is a picture of how you view your strengths and weaknesses as a student today. True False

True

Multiple Intelligence

Verbal/Linguistic intelligence mathematical/logical intelligence visual/spatial intelligence bodily/kinesthetic intelligence musical/rhythmic intelligence intrapersonal intelligence interpersonal intelligence naturalist intelligence

The Cornell format of note taking consists of symbols, abbreviations, and concepts. a cue column, a notes section, and a summary. outlines, key words, and definitions. first-level, second-level, and third-level headings.

a cue column, a notes section, and a summary.

Attitudes

a settled way of thinking or feeling about someone or something, typically one that is reflected in a person's behavior

For better search results online, you should: use specific key words. search within a site. add a "wild card character" such as the asterisk. all of the above.

all of the above

You can develop all 4 modes of learning to ideally become equally strong in all 4 modes. become more reflective. learn to limit abstract thinking in certain courses. all of the above.

become more reflective.

Information literacy can include: a) generating an appropriate topic. b) developing main and supporting questions. c) utilizing Wikipedia as your primary source. both a and b.

both a and b

The final phase of Muscle Reading can be assisted by using e-books to create instant summaries. copying passages and pasting them into a word processing file. none of the above. both a and b.

both a and b.

Bloom's levels of thinking include remembering. contemplating. applying. both a and c.

both a and c.

Working in teams is important on the job. Strategies can include: scheduling carefully. leaving the stopping time open-ended. ending each meeting with a to-do list. both a and c.

both a and c.

If you miss a class, you are out of luck. can call a study partner. can email the course instructor. both b and c.

both b and c.

Once you have discovered your strongest multiple intelligences, you should ignore the weaker intelligences. can compare and contrast them with the VAK. can use them to increase your options for success. should keep them hidden.

can use them to increase your options for success.

When using Cornell notes to study, you should: cover the right-hand side of your notes with a blank sheet of paper. leave the summary section blank, mentally filling in the summary. condense your notes in the right-hand side. all of the above.

cover the right-hand side of your notes with a blank sheet of paper.

A study checklist works in helping you review material by using complete descriptions and formulas. reviewing all math problems in detail. acting as a review sheet. creating a to-do list for each item to study.

creating a to-do list for each item to study.

Cheating lowers your self-concept because it sends you the message that you are not smart enough to make it on your own. you fear being caught and this fear increases your stress level. cheating on tests can make it easier to violate your integrity again. final exam week should be fun and free of worry.

it sends you the message that you are not smart enough to make it on your own.

The purpose of reviewing materials is to strengthen the amygdala. keep the neural pathways that constitute memory open. reduce interference. pry out questions for later review.

keep the neural pathways that constitute memory open.

Metacognition is planning about planning. predicting about predicting. learning about learning. knowing without knowing.

learning about learning.

As part of the preview process, you should skip any summary statement until just before the test time. look for familiar concepts, facts, or ideas. memorize what you preview. avoid asking yourself any questions.

look for familiar concepts, facts, or ideas.

When highlighting it is important to: skip over boldface works because they are already emphasized. make decisions about what you want to remember from a text. make sure you highlight as much as possible so you don't leave anything unnoticed. follow the universal law of reading.

make decisions about what you want to remember from a text.

Note-taking techniques (Reading/Lectures): not every technique works for the same subject so know what techniques work for different subjects

mind mapping, Cornell Form, outline

The purpose of the Discovery Wheel in Becoming a Master Student is to see if you like college life. focus on your negative learning habits. provide a picture of how you see yourself as a student. test you on your ability to follow directions.

provide a picture of how you see yourself as a student.

A strategy for holding a mini-review of a paragraph is to recite, in your own words, what you have just read. take some time and write yourself short notes on the reading. read only the first sentence of each paragraph. create an outline for the entire chapter.

recite, in your own words, what you have just read.

Techniques to use before you take a test include all of the following except conducting daily, weekly, and major reviews. relying only on previous exams for review. creating review tools like flash cards. taking a practice test, whether from a reserve file in the library or online resource.

relying only on previous exams for review.

Bloom's Taxonomy

remembering, understanding, applying, analyzing, evaluating, creating

When taking a test the best way to begin is to read the directions quickly. ignore any verbal directions. ask yourself: "Did I study enough for this test?" scan the whole test immediately.

scan the whole test immediately.

An effective method for keeping your notes well organized is to write on both sides of the paper. take notes using key transition words and phrases. make editorial comments so that you can remember your feelings on hearing the information. use shorthand notation.

take notes using key transition words and phrases.

Perceiving and processing include: taking in new experiences. perceiving by feeling (abstract conceptualization). processing experiences in the same way as everyone else. all of the above.

taking in new experiences.

Active readers use books as sleeping aids. always sub-vocalize while reading. think critically about the ideas in what they read. do not need to practice Muscle Reading to understand the text.

think critically about the ideas in what they read.

Use underlining to single out about 30 percent of the chapter's main points. show your teacher (and friends) that you read the assignment. to make anything you found interesting stand out. to create signals for later review sessions.

to create signals for later review sessions.

The Cornell format of note taking includes a cue column that is used for the summary statement. for standard abbreviations that do not need explanation. for pictures and diagrams. to list potential questions or key words generated from the note column.

to list potential questions or key words generated from the note column.