Page 219 - Keys to College Success

Where you live, find times to study when distractions are at a minimum. Explore
your campus to find outdoor locations that are secluded enough to allow you to
focus. An empty classroom is another great option. If you know a classroom will
be unused for a period of time, it can provide a quiet space with room to spread
out materials.

Who
Some students prefer to study alone, and some in pairs or groups. Many mix it up,
doing some kinds of studying (such as first reading) alone, and others (such as problem
sets) with one or more people. Some find that they prefer to study certain subjects
alone and others with a group. Even students who prefer to study alone might risk
1 7 working with others from time to time to see what reward can result.
CHAPTER CHAPTER hang out with a group of friends you can see anytime, even if it compromises your
One final part of who is dealing with who might be distracting. Do you want to
ability to do well in an important course? Tell your friends why studying is important
to you. Friends who truly care about you are likely to support your goals.

What and Why: Evaluating Study Materials
There is no need to study every word and bit of information. Engage your analytical
thinking skills: Decide what is important to study by examining why you need to know
it. Here’s how:

Choose materials to study. Put away materials or notes you know you do not
need to review. Looking at the notes, textbooks, and other materials left, determine
what chapters or sections are important to know and why. Thinking about the
“why” can increase your focus. If like Chandra you have a sense that your notes are
missing key points, review them with a classmate who can help you fill in the gaps.

Prioritize materials. Determine what you need the most work on and put it first,
then save easier materials for later. Almost every student has more steam at the begin-
ning of a study session than at the end; plus, fatigue or an interruption may prevent you
from covering everything.

Set specific goals. Look at what you need to cover and the time you have available,
and decide what you will accomplish—for example, you will read a certain textbook
chapter, review three sets of class notes, and create a study sheet. Make a list so you can
check things off as you go.

How: Using Study Strategies

Now that you have figured out the when, where, who, what, and why of studying,
focus on the how—the strategies that will anchor the information you need in your
brain. You may already use several of them. Try as many as you can, and keep what
works. Key 7.8 shows all of the strategies that follow.

Take notes on readings
Taking notes on a reading assignment helps you learn the material, because you are
repeating information in writing and thinking critically about it as you decide what is
important to include in your notes. Before you start, identify what goal you want your
notes to achieve. Are you looking for the basic topics from a chapter? An in-depth
understanding of a particular concept? Then choose a note-taking system, and keep
your goal in mind as you work.

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