Monica Said:

Study Skills?

We Answered:

It depends what kind of stuff i'm studying. If I have to remember big lists or vocabulary type of words, I just make flash cards, or write the word on one half of a piece of paper and the description on the other half, and then just keep going over it while covering one side or the other until I have most of them down.

Sometimes when I keep confusing two concepts or idealogies, I find a really dumb acronym or visual or try to think of other words that one the word sounds like to help me distinguish it from the other idea (Roy G. Biv--you know, colors of the rainbow...as a well known example) ---this might sound really stupid but it really works for me! It's called mnemonics, and it's a way to help you remember abstract things. Google it.

Mostly though, I just make study sheets. I re-read the material, go over quizzes and written assignments and jot down everything that seems important. Then I go over it again and again until I know it all. Usually I only have to go over it once, maybe twice because once I've written it down it sticks in my head. I just make sure I clearly understand all the concepts, and if I don't I find the professor and ask for clarification before the test.

Another thing that helps too if you have a lot of books to read, and you start doing this at the beginning of the term..is to make notes in the margins while you're reading. Highlighting and underlining is overrated, in my opinion. Every time you read something important, or that you don't understand, or that makes you think about something else, underline it and then write whatever it is you think in the margins. That way later when you're studying you can just flip through the book and look for pages that you've hopefully marked. Putting those little tape flags in books helps too.

Reginald Said:

Study skills!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!?

We Answered:

You need to make sure you get good rest at night. But one great way to be able to retain information is by giving yourself only a 10 minute break every 60 minutes...get some water, a protein snack maybe here and there to keep your sugar balance (which will help your nerves and thought processes).

Also, be sure that you avoid having distractions all around, like the TV, radio, etc.

If you memorize things you might mix yourself up because you're not really understanding the material. That's why focussing and giving yourself the timely few minute breaks relaxes your brain and helps you process the material.

Have someone do little quizzes on your...such as asking you pertinent questions to see if you are able to understand and remember the main points.

And don't wait until the last minute because cramming will stress you out and won't give you enough time to let things sink in.

One more point...after every week's worth of class, try to do a little review of everything you studied for that week....make little notes of main points or methods (depending on your course), and give yourself a little quiz to see if you understand the material.

You'll do just fine....you just mainly need to remember to breathe and relax.