Study Skills

Neatness Counts

If your 4s look like 9s, it could be a problem. Be sure that your writing is legible and that you erase your mistakes. For machine-scored tests, fill in the spaces carefully

Organization Skills 4

Keep a "To Do" list. Write down things you need to do. Then decide what you need to get done right away and what can wait until later.

Taking notes from textbooks 2

Keep textbook notes separate from class notes. Usse a separate notebook or a separate section in your loose-leaf notebook.

Note Taking Skills 3

Keep your ntoes organized. They will be as important as the textbook.

Study Skills 6

Know your learning style and study in a way that best matches it.

During the test 4

Leave the most time for questions that have the highest point value or require a lot of writing.

During the test 7

Leave time to check over your answers.

I'm Done!

Not so fast-when you complete the last item on the test, remember that you're not done yet. First, check the clock and go back to review your answers, making sure that you didn't make any careless mistakes (such as putting the right answer in the wrong place or skipping a question). Spend the last remaining minutes going over the hardest problems before you turn in your test.

Study Skills 16

After each study session, try to recall the main points and as many details as possible.

During the test 3

Answer the easiest questions first.

Have a Positive Attitude

Approach the big test as you'd approach a giant jigsaw puzzle. It might be tough, but you can do it! A positive attitude goes a long way toward success.

Study Skills 15

Ask questions if your're not sure about something. Asking questions is one of the most effective ways we learn!

Test Taking Skills 1

Ask what type of test you'll be taking (essay, multiple choice, true/false, matching, etc.). It's likely that test questions will be similar to homework you have done.

Sudy Skills 3

Avoid distractions like the TV and try to ignor the telephone. Your friends can leave a message!

Stress Management Skills 4

Avoid drugs and alcohol. They do not reduce stress-they hide it.

Time Management Skills 5

Be aware of things that distract you or waste your time, and keep them to a minimum.

Taking notes in class 2

Be prepared to keep your notes neat and organized. Use a separate spiral-bound notebook for each subject, or use dividers in your loose-leaf notebook to make separate sections for each subject.

Before the test 1

Be sure to find out the following details ahead of time. what material the test will cover, what type of test it will be (multiple choice, true false, short answer, essay), how the test will be graded, how much the test wil count toward the final grade

Test Time

Before the test begins, make sure you have everything you'll need-scratch paper, extra pencils, your calculator (if you're allowed to use it). Understand how the test is scored: Do youlose points for incorrect answers? Or is it better to make guesses when you're not sure of the answer? Read the instructions! You want to make sure you are marking answers correctly.

Taking notes in class 3

Begin each note taking session at the top of a fresh page. Start by writing down the date.

Time Management Skills 3

Break your workload down into manageable chunks.

The Night Before

Cramming doesn't work. If you've followed a study plan, the night before the test you should do a quick review and get to bed early. Remember, your brain and body need sleep to function well, so don't stay up late!

Organization Skills 2

Create a planner to keep track of homework assignments, tests, and projects. Write in your planner every day so it becomes a habit!

Before the test 8

Create your own study aids. Make and outline from your notes of just the main ideas, make a timeline of important dates or the order of events, make flashcards for studying vocabulary or events and important dates, make up your own quiz or test based on your notes and have a friend, parent or sibling test you.

Time Management Skills 2

Decide what you want to accomplish and how lojng you will spend on each subject or assignment.

Study Skills 13

Determine your best study time and plan to study at that time every day.

The Morning of the Test

Did you know that you think better when you have a full stomach? So don't skip breakfast the morning of the test. Get to school early and do a ten-minute power study right before the test, so your brain is turned on and tuned up.

Before the test 9

Do any practive exams or study sheets provided by the teacher. These will help you focus your study session and give you confidence.

Taking notes in class 4

Do not try to write down everything the teacher says, but do try to record as many facts and ideas as you can. Mark important facts or main ideas with an asterisk or star or underline them.

During the test 5

Do only what you are required to do. Don't waste time doing things that you will not recieve credit for, such as copying test questions onto your paper.

Test Taking Skills 2

Don't cram. It's OK to spend extra time studying but don't try to learn everything in one night.

Test Taking Skills 4

Don't panic. If a question is too hard, skip it and come back later.

Time Management Skills 4

Don't procrastinate (that's a big word that means putting things off).

Stress Management Skills 1

Don't sweat the small stuff. Prioritize your activities and focus on the most important ones.

Before the test 4

Don't wait until the last minute to study! Short daily study sessions are better than one long session the night before a test.

Stress Management Skills 2

Exercise. It takes your mind off things that are bothering you.

Study Skills 1

Find your own quiet place where you can concentrate on your homework.

Note Taking Skills 1

Focus on the main ideas. Don't try to write down everything the teacher says.

Study Skills 11

Focus on the quality of your study time. It's much more important than the quality.

Taking notes from textbooks 3

Get a general idea of what the reading is about. read the introduction, headings and subheadings, and any paragraphs that summarize the content and look at any illustrations or graphs and charts and read the captions.

Before the test 10

Get help from the teacher if you do no understand something.

Study Skills 12

Get into the habit of studying every day

Test Taking Skills 3

Get plenty of rest the night before a test.

Taking notes from textbooks 4

Go back and read the chapter or section carefully. Look for the main ideas.

Taking notes from textbooks 6

If you do copy directly from the textbook, use quotation marks to indicate that it is a direct quotation. Take care to copy the quotation exactly.

Organization Skills 3

Organize your notes and homework assignments by subject in separate notebooks and folders.

Taking notes from textbooks 1

Organize your paper the same as for class notes. put the date at the top of the page, write down the name of the book and the chapter or section you will be taking notes from, leave space in the left margin or between ideas for your own comments or questions.

Time Management Skills 1

Plan ahead and stick to a schedule.

Study Skills 10

Plan to spend more time (not less) on the subjects that are harder for you.

Study Skills 4

Play quiet backround music. It might help you stay focused.

Taking notes in class 7

Read over your notes as soon as you can after class. If there is anything you don't understand, ask the teacher at the next class.

During the test 2

Read the entire test through before starting. This will help you pace yourself.

During the test 1

Read the instructions carefully. Ask the teacher if you are unsure about anything.

Study Skills 8

Relate what you're studying to things you already know. This helps you remember information more easily.

Before the test 6

Repetition is key! Read and reread your class notes and the relevant chapters in the text book.

Note Taking Skills 4

Review your notes every day. This will make things easier to remember when it's time to study for the test.

Study Skills 17

Reward yourself when you're dont. Plan a fun activity or just relax.

After the test 2

Save tests for later review for end-of-term tests.

Manage Your Time

Scan through the test quickly before starting. Answering the easy questions first can be a time saver and confidence builder. Plus, it saves more time in the end for you to focus on the hard stuff.

Before the test 5

Set a goal for each study period. If you are being tested on three chapters, set up four study sessions, one for each chapter and one for a review of the mail ideas in all three chapters.

Taking notes in class 1

Sit close to the front of the class to minimize distractions.

Study Skills 2

Sit in a comfortable chair (not too comfortable, though or you could end up asleep).

Study Skills 9

Start with the most difficult tasks or assignments to focus maximum brain power on the toughies. Then move on to the easier tasks.

Before the test 3

Study at a time when you are alert and not hungry or sleepy

Study Skills 5

Study with a friend or a group of friends. Compare notes and ask each other questions.

Taking notes from textbooks 7

Summarize the main ideas at the end of your notes and circle them.

Stress Management Skills 3

Take care of yourself. Eat right and get enough sleep.

Study Skills 7

Take short but frequent breaks.

Multiple-Choice Questions

The process of elimination can help you choose the correct answer in a multiple-choice question. Start by crossing off the answers the couldn't be right. Then spend your time focusing on the possible correct choices before selecting your answer.

Make a Plan

The week before the test, ask your teacher what the test is going to cover. Is it from the textbook only? Class notes? Can you use your calculator? If you've been absent, talk to friends about material you may have missed. Make a list of the most important topics to be covered and use that as a guide when you study. Circle items that you know will require extra time. Be sure to plan extra time to study the most challenging topics.

Study Skills 14

Think of homework as practive, not work. It takes practive to get better at sports or music or cheerleading. School is the same.

I'm Stuck!

Those tricky problems can knock you off balance. Don't get worried or frustrated. Reread the question to make sure you understand it, and then try to solve it the best way you know how. If you're still stuck, circle it and move on. You can come back to it later. What if you have no idea about the answer? Review your options and make the best guess you can, but only if you don't lose points for wrong answers.

Taking notes from textbooks 5

Try not to copy information directly from the textbook into your ntoes. Instead, summarize the information in your own words. This will help you to concentrate and learn.

Organization Skills 1

Use outlines, charts, or flashcards to help you organize and learn new material. You'll be reviewing the material as you make these tools. And, you'll have them to use later when it's time to study for tests.

Taking notes in class 5

Use short sentences and phrases and easily remembered abbreviations and symbols. Some commonly used abbreviations and symbols are: cf (compare), ie (that is), eg (for example), w/ (with), w/o (without), & + (and), = (equals,is)

Note Taking Skills 2

Use your own words.

After the test 1

When the test is returned, read the teacher's comments carefully and try to learn from your mistakes.

Before the test 7

While you are reviewing your notes, cover them periodically and summarize them out loud. Pretend that you are explaining the material to someone else.

During the test 6

Write clearly

Taking notes in class 6

Write clearly, and leave lots of blank space in the left margin or between ideas in case you need to add information later.

Before the test 2

study in a place that is free of distractions. Have ready all the things you will need, such as paper, pens, or a calculator.