Page 214 - Keys To Community College Success

get practical

ANSWER YOUR JOURNALISTS’ QUESTIONS

Complete the following on paper or in digital format.
Think about a study session you’ve had in the past that you believe did not prepare you well for a test, and recall
what strategies you used—if any. Now, plan a study session that will take place within the next seven days—one that
will help you learn something important to know for one of your current courses. Answer the questions below to
create your session:

1. When will you study, and for how long?
2. Where will you study?
3. Who will you study with, if anyone?

4. What will you study?
5. Why is this material important to know?
6. How will you study it—what strategy (or strategies) do you plan to use?

7. How do you think the journalists’ questions, and this structure, would have helped you get more out of your
previous study session?
8. Final step—put this plan to work. Name the date you will use it.

Use learning preference strategies
Thinking about any learning preference self-assessments you have completed in this
course, identify your strongest areas and locate study techniques applicable for each.
For example, if you scored highly in bodily-kinesthetic learning, try reciting material
aloud while standing or listening to it on an MP3 player while walking.
Be open to trying something new—even if it sounds a little odd to begin with. The
Multiple Intelligences table in this chapter (see page 177) suggests MI-related memory
strategies. Try ones that relate to your strengths—or, if you want to
develop in areas that are more challenging for you, try strategies
that relate to those intelligences.

Use the information
In the days after you learn something new, try to use the informa-
tion in every way you can. Apply it to new situations and link it to
problems. Explain the material to a classmate. Test your knowledge
to make sure the material is in long-term memory. “Don’t confuse
recognizing information with being able to recall it,” says learning
expert Adam Robinson. “Be sure you can recall the information
without looking at your notes for clues. And don’t move on until
you have created some sort of sense-memory hook for calling it
back up when you need it.” 10

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