Study and Learning Strategies for Student Success Dave Mackay, University of Waterloo October 15, 20

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Study and Learning StrategiesforStudent
SuccessDave Mackay, University of
WaterlooOctober 15, 2008
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Agenda

• Improving memory/recall
• Managing time
• Reading skills
• Note-taking strategies
• Test preparation and writing

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Improving Intake Recall

• The 50 - 10 Rule
• Review according to the curve of forgetting

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Curve of Forgetting
10 MIN
5 MIN
100
2-4 MIN
Day1 Day 2 Day 7
Day 30
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Intake and Recall contd...

• Visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learning
• Information in vs. information out
• Avoid working on similar material or tasks for
  more than an hour at a time

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Time Management

• Write down all of your assignment and test dates
  on a full term calendar
• Keep track of your time for one week
• Dont sacrifice sleep!

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Adults Sleep Histogram
R.E.M.
Awake Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3 Stage 4


1 2 3 4 5 6
7 8 Hours of
Consecutive Sleep
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Overcoming Procrastination

• Plan a clear, comfortable schedule in advance
• First minute motivation Smallest achievable
  chunks Rewards
• Take advantage of high and low energy times

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Circadian Rhythms

• 8am - 12pm High
• 12pm - 4pm Med
• 4pm - 6pm Low
• 6pm - 10pm Med
• After 10pm Rest

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Setting Priorities
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Text Reading

• Start with an overview
• (introduction, summary, titles, subtitles,
  tables, charts, graphs, bold print)
• Always read with a specific purpose or a question
  in mind
• Whenever possible, read before class

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Date Chapter/topic PAGE
Main Point
What is it? Where do I find it? How do I use
it? What is it? What is its importance?
Main Point
Summary-------------------------------------------
---------------------------------.
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Preparing for Writing Exams

• Worry

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Four Rules for Writing Exams

• Be Prepared
• Be Physically Healthy
• Be Mentally Healthy
• Do not take in new material the night before

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Intellectual Preparation

• Dont cram! (Massed vs. Spaced learning)
• Study by doing

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Study Note

• According to Harris, meter defines a poems
  cadence while enhancing its balance and beauty.

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Multiple Choice Question 1

• According to Harris, meter contributes to a
  poems
• a) aesthetic impact
• b) allegorical meaning
• c) rational appeal
• d) ambiguity
• e) none of the above.

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Multiple Choice Question 2

• According to Harris meter is
• a) the way that a poem is arranged on a page
• b) the beat of the poem
• c) the way that poem relates to other poems
• d) the lines of a poem that rhyme with each
• other.

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Do I know my stuff?

• Can I say it in my own words?
• Can I give an example?
• Can I explain it to someone who doesnt
  understand it?

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Answering questions

• Circle or underline key words
• Think of an answer before looking at the options
• Big picture, little picture and common sense

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Study Skills Resources

• www.adm.uwaterloo.ca/infocs
• Teachers, Guidance Counsellors, Classmates
• Find alternate textbooks for difficult courses
• Study skills books and manuals at bookstores