Study Hints for Students

ISU Physics Teacher Education Program

Carl J. Wenning, Instructor

MANAGING YOUR TIME:

1. Prepare a semester schedule with all tests and due dates.
2. Prepare a weekly calendar with specific times for study.
3. Include in the above time for study between classes.
4. Avoid scheduling study/work when you will not do it.
5. Follow the schedule; resist the urge to skip.
6. Do the most difficult activities when you are most alert.
7. Schedule short (15 minute) study breaks.
8. Alternate types of work: reading, problems, review, etc.
9. Spread out study; think of work as a series of small tasks.
10. Perform weekly review of all materials.
11. Avoid the fear-procrastination-guilt-more fear cycle. Take on a "do it now" attitude; fear vanishes; work gets done.
12. Seek help as you need it; such help can save valuable time and help you avoid damaging, negative attitudes.
13. Get plenty of sleep; be alert in class; sit near front.

TAKING LECTURE NOTES:

Before:

1. Check syllabus for topic and/or chapter in text.
2. Read and outline the chapter before going to class.
3. Review previous text and lecture notes.

During:

1. Copy what is on the board.
2. Be alert for clues to important-items (i.e. repeats).
3. Avoid being late or packing up early; the lecturer may give an important introduction or summary.
4. Keep legible notes and use an outline form.
5. Be brief. Don't copy lecturer's words verbatim.

After:

1. Check lecture notes against text. If material wasn't covered in the lecture, find out why.
2. Review notes as soon as possible. Do they make sense?
3. Ask questions if you don't understand or notes vague.
4. Clarify notes by writing summaries.

MANAGING TEXTUAL MATERIALS -- THE SQ3R METHOD:

1. Survey current chapter for organization and topics.
2. Question what you are about to read; develop a clear focus.
3. Read the text to answer your questions.
4. Recite what you've just read. Do it paragraph by paragraph.
5. Review the text on a timely basis -- at least once a week.

STUDYING COURSE CONTENT -- THE MURDER METHOD:

1. set Mood for studying
2. read for Understanding
3. Digest readings thoroughly
4. Recall what has been learned and correcting that recall
5. Expand knowledge through self questioning
6. Review performance on tests to learn from mistakes

PREPARING FOR, TAKING, AND FOLLOWING UP ON TESTS:

1. Prepare early and avoid "cramming." Review all homework.
2. Study for at least one hour daily in a quiet setting.
3. Work with a serious study group; quiz each other regularly.
4. Organize all notes into topic or concept; compare with your text. Determine what instructor considers important.
5. Review entire text and all notes. Strive to achieve a good understanding; avoid memorization for its own sake.
6. Place more emphasis on class notes than text. The text is the background; the lecture is the focus.
7. When taking multiple-choice tests consider the following:

• a) Budget your time
• b) leave the most difficult questions for last
• c) predict answer before looking at responses
• d) cross out all clearly wrong answers
• e) if two or more responses are similar, see what makes them different; and
• f) answer all questions even if you must guess.

1. Check your test responses against answer key and appeal questions if you think you have a case .
   

Work in a course can be likened to the flight of an airplane. If you cruise at altitude (study regularly), the amount of work required is reasonable; if you are constantly landing and taking off (periodically cramming), it requires more fuel and the odds of a crash (failure) increase.

Return to Planning for Effective Teaching