Page 224 - Keys To Community College Success

student PROFILE

Alexis Zendejas

BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY, PROVO, UTAH

About me: class and my ability to understand the material. Then I spend the
I am a Native American woman rest of my time studying my materials. I make and use a lot of flash
from Omaha, Nebraska. I am the cards (my studying salvation!) for subjects where repetitive learn-
seventh of eight children. Grow- ing is required to grasp the words and their meanings. I make sure
ing up in a big family was a lot of fun as well as challenging; my to apply what I’ve learned after memorizing from flash cards. For
personal goal was to keep up with my older brothers and sisters example, I would make flash cards for Spanish, then speak the
educationally and mentally. I plan to major in business marketing vocabulary words in my day-to-day speech. I work hard to focus
with a minor in American history. After completing my under- and not let myself get distracted during my study time. I do take
graduate degree, I hope to earn a joint juris doctorate (law degree) short 10-minute breaks to get a drink of water, listen to a song, or
and master’s of business administration (MBA). move around.

What I focus on: What will help me in the workplace:

When I started high school, I didn’t have to work that hard to do One of my sisters works in a law firm and I see that she has to do
well. That all changed junior year when I took three advanced a lot of research. It’s easy to imagine that all a lawyer does is work
placement classes and three honors classes. I had to apply myself in a courtroom pleading the case to a judge or showcase evidence
beyond just completing my assigned homework. to persuade a grand jury, but I see her spending more time gather-
Here is how I approach studying: I give myself a short break ing information than anything else. I know that the study skills I
after my day of classes, setting a time to return to my studies. practice will come in handy during my intended career whenever
When I go back, I start by reading my notes from my classes for I need to learn and focus.
about 15 minutes or sometimes a bit longer, depending on the

Step 4: Create study sheets. This step puts your master notes in their shortest, most
manageable (and portable) form. A study sheet is a one-page synthesis of all key points
on one theme, topic, or process. Use critical thinking skills to organize information into
themes or topics that you will need to know on an exam.
Step 5: Review and review again. To ensure learning and prepare for exams, review
your condensed notes, study sheets, and critical thinking questions until you know
every topic cold. Try to vary your review methods, focusing on active involvement.
Recite the material to yourself, have a Q and A session with a study partner, create and
take a practice test. Another helpful technique is to summarize your notes in writing
from memory after you review them. This will give you a fairly good indication of your
ability to recall the information on a test.

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