Tips to Help You be a Successful Student
Reading your textbook
The best way to read your textbook (yes, you need to read) is not to read it as you would read a novel, but begin by skimming or pre-reading the chapter. Look over the section headings, charts and tables to organize the information in your mind.
Reading alone is not studying, rather it is a form of passive learning. To be most efficient, you want to turn reading into a form of active learning. To do this, perform the following steps:
1. Stop after each paragraph and ask yourself what you have just read.
2. Put the information into your own words by saying them aloud or writing them
down.
3. DO NOT HIGHLIGHT EXTENSIVELY. As you are reading, write key notes in
the book's margin or on "post-its" if there is not enough space in the margin.
Lecture Notes
The most efficient way to takes notes during lecture, is not to simply write down every word. BEFORE coming to the lecture, read the material in the text and look over the notes (Power Point & outline) to be presented that day. This will allow you to take better notes, as you will have been introduced to the concepts and ideas. Try the following approach when taking notes:
1. Focus on the key ideas and write those down.
2. Listen to the lecture and as you understand the point being made, describe in
your own words. Be sure to include diagrams, illustrations etc, or at least make
note of the figure numbers so that you can later refer to them in the book.
3. Leave three inches on the left hand of you page so you can additional notes
after class. It is ideal to go over your notes with the aid of your textbook
BEFORE the next lecture.
4. For those of you that find it helpful, you may voice record the lectures.
It is my experience that students often find that they understand the topic as it is being delivered to them during the lecture. However, this understanding is not deep enough to turn around and perform well on an exam. The exams are written in such a way that you will sometimes have to combine information from two sources to arrive at the answer. Other questions require that you take the information and apply it to a new situation to come the correct conclusion. Another way to say this, is memorizing the material is not enough to do well on the exams; you will need to understand the ideas and concepts using your critical thinking skills.
When studying your lecture notes, try to figure out the what and why of the subject. When you are comfortable with these, try to figure out the details of what is happening, or the how of the subject. Having a thorough understanding of the material will allow you to relate it to what you already know, which enables you to apply it to a new situation. You'll be surprised at how material will "make sense" when you do this.
Try to teach yourself the material by making diagrams or tables. These can be illustrations from the text, the lecture, or your own original work. Studying with a friend or group of friends can also be very beneficial. You never learn something like you do when you have to teach it. If you can explain how a concept goes from A to B to C, you've mastered the material. By asking each other questions, you will reinforce the material in your mind as you are attempting to answer and explain the material to your classmates.
Cramming all the material you will be presented, is not going to work. It is best if you can do a little bit of studying on a daily basis. Daily studying and rehearsal helps get information into long-term memory.
Laboratory
Believe it or not, but lab is not a waste of time. You will often find that the lab overlaps with the lecture, presenting the same material to you in another framework. If you come to lab prepared ahead of time, with an understanding of what you will be doing that day, you will have to spend LESS time studying on your own. Before attending lab ask yourself the following questions:
"What can I expect to learn from this activity?"
" How will I be doing this experiment?"
" What do I expect the results of this experiment to be?"
Remember, I am here to help you learn the material, but you have to meet me half way. Be aware that there are tutors available to you free of charge in the CSS building. A word to the wise...don't wait too long to get help. Daily, active learning is the most efficient and effective way to learn. Your time is valuable, so don't waste it by not properly preparing for this and all of your courses. Be sure to attend ALL class meetings - lecture and lab. Most importantly have fun!
Reading your textbook
The best way to read your textbook (yes, you need to read) is not to read it as you would read a novel, but begin by skimming or pre-reading the chapter. Look over the section headings, charts and tables to organize the information in your mind.
Reading alone is not studying, rather it is a form of passive learning. To be most efficient, you want to turn reading into a form of active learning. To do this, perform the following steps:
1. Stop after each paragraph and ask yourself what you have just read.
2. Put the information into your own words by saying them aloud or writing them
down.
3. DO NOT HIGHLIGHT EXTENSIVELY. As you are reading, write key notes in
the book's margin or on "post-its" if there is not enough space in the margin.
Lecture Notes
The most efficient way to takes notes during lecture, is not to simply write down every word. BEFORE coming to the lecture, read the material in the text and look over the notes (Power Point & outline) to be presented that day. This will allow you to take better notes, as you will have been introduced to the concepts and ideas. Try the following approach when taking notes:
1. Focus on the key ideas and write those down.
2. Listen to the lecture and as you understand the point being made, describe in
your own words. Be sure to include diagrams, illustrations etc, or at least make
note of the figure numbers so that you can later refer to them in the book.
3. Leave three inches on the left hand of you page so you can additional notes
after class. It is ideal to go over your notes with the aid of your textbook
BEFORE the next lecture.
4. For those of you that find it helpful, you may voice record the lectures.
It is my experience that students often find that they understand the topic as it is being delivered to them during the lecture. However, this understanding is not deep enough to turn around and perform well on an exam. The exams are written in such a way that you will sometimes have to combine information from two sources to arrive at the answer. Other questions require that you take the information and apply it to a new situation to come the correct conclusion. Another way to say this, is memorizing the material is not enough to do well on the exams; you will need to understand the ideas and concepts using your critical thinking skills.
When studying your lecture notes, try to figure out the what and why of the subject. When you are comfortable with these, try to figure out the details of what is happening, or the how of the subject. Having a thorough understanding of the material will allow you to relate it to what you already know, which enables you to apply it to a new situation. You'll be surprised at how material will "make sense" when you do this.
Try to teach yourself the material by making diagrams or tables. These can be illustrations from the text, the lecture, or your own original work. Studying with a friend or group of friends can also be very beneficial. You never learn something like you do when you have to teach it. If you can explain how a concept goes from A to B to C, you've mastered the material. By asking each other questions, you will reinforce the material in your mind as you are attempting to answer and explain the material to your classmates.
Cramming all the material you will be presented, is not going to work. It is best if you can do a little bit of studying on a daily basis. Daily studying and rehearsal helps get information into long-term memory.
Laboratory
Believe it or not, but lab is not a waste of time. You will often find that the lab overlaps with the lecture, presenting the same material to you in another framework. If you come to lab prepared ahead of time, with an understanding of what you will be doing that day, you will have to spend LESS time studying on your own. Before attending lab ask yourself the following questions:
"What can I expect to learn from this activity?"
" How will I be doing this experiment?"
" What do I expect the results of this experiment to be?"
Remember, I am here to help you learn the material, but you have to meet me half way. Be aware that there are tutors available to you free of charge in the CSS building. A word to the wise...don't wait too long to get help. Daily, active learning is the most efficient and effective way to learn. Your time is valuable, so don't waste it by not properly preparing for this and all of your courses. Be sure to attend ALL class meetings - lecture and lab. Most importantly have fun!