Top ten tips for teachers
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Successful
students aren't just "smart;" they employ
a variety of strategies to learn new information effectively.
Using the following list of study tips will help you
to succeed in this class (as well as in many other
classes). You will probably not need to use all of
these, but take your pick; be prepared to put in some
time and effort, and happy studying! |
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3. Take detailed
notes: try paraphrasing (taking notes in your own words).
Don't just copy what is on the board -- take copious notes
on what was discussed, what slides were seen, what you learned
from a video, etc. Leave room to add information from other
sources (such as the textbook) later.
4.
Recopy your notes: many students are convinced that this
is the most effective technique. At the very least, go over
your notes nightly and use a magic marker to highlight the
most important points.
5. Read the textbook:
especially the parts that I emphasize. Mark in your book
(this does not decrease the resale value of your book...only
tearing out pages does!). I suggest reading the book 3 times
(!):
a. Scan it once briefly
before the topic is discussed in class so that you know
a little bit about the topic.
b.
Read it in detail after the topic is discussed in class
and highlight in marker pen all important parts (these portions
can also be transferred to your notes).
c. Before the exam,
re-read the highlighted portions of the text. This is easy
now that they are highlighted.
6. Use flash cards:
these are cards which list a key work on the front and the
definition, process, or concept explained on the back. They
are great at test preparation time, and can even be studied
in the car!
7. Allow ample time
to study: this avoids having to cram lots of information
the night before an exam. For each one hour in class, at
least three hours outside of class is usually needed --
more if science is difficult for you.
8. Earn extra credit:
take full advantage of opportunities do extra credit assignments.
Extra credit points will be added onto your point total
at the end of the semester, and may allow you to just get
that next highest grade.
9. See a tutor: available
free of charge at the tutoring center (located on the ground
floor of the library). Tutors have been selected from past
classes based on their academic performance and their ability
to explain concepts to others. Many of our tutors are considering
teaching as a career and are there to help you.
10.
Here's the best one: join a study group. Recent educational
studies document the effectiveness of study groups. They
work because you have to explain concepts to someone else.
If you don't know it, you can't explain it (it's as simple
as that). I recommend meeting once a week to go over notes
and to quiz each other. There is no doubt about it: THEY
REALLY WORK!
11.
(We know, it's more than 10, but I couldn't resist adding
just one more) Have fun and remember that life exists beyond
institute!
