Study Skills

Adapted by John Walton from Study Skills for Secondary Students

Virginia Beach City Public Schools

Managing Your Study Time

Preparing to Study

•          Establish a study schedule

•          Prepare a place to study

•          Keep study materials together

•          Eliminate distractions

Self-Help Techniques

•          Maintain good attendance

•          Bring text and materials to class

•          Write down assignments

•          Write down class web site

•          Use class web site regularly

•          Ask for help when you do not understand

•          Believe you can improve

•          Learn to concentrate

Approaching Homework

•          Set priorities

•          Divide long term assignments into subtasks and schedule subtasks

•          Complete assignments on time

•          Avoid cramming

•          Review class notes and study questions daily

Actions in Class

Listening and Participating

•          Stay alert

•          Follow listening etiquette

•          Focus on what is being said

•          Answer to yourself questions that are addressed to others

•          Ask questions whenever anything is unclear

•          Use class time wisely

Note Taking

•          Write legible note

•          Use internet outlines as a guide

•          Copy and define key words and terms written on the board

•          Use teacher cues to guide note-taking

•          Paraphrase

•          Use abbreviations and symbols

•          Record details of assignments and due dates

•           Read and revise notes after class

•          Clear up any questions you may have the next day

Reading Skills

Prereading

•          Schedule enough time

•          Preview chapter questions

•          Preview internet study questions

Reading

•          Survey the text heading for an overview

•          Use the internet outline as a guide

•          Question the text by making each heading a question

•          Read to answer the questions

•          Use a dictionary when necessary

•          Recite, in your own words, the material just read

•          Take notes recording key words, dates, and names

•          Identify unfamiliar concepts and terms

•          Make an outline and summarize

•          Create and answer your own questions

•          Answer the internet study questions

Writing Skills

Preparing to Write

•          Determine the purpose of the assignment

•          Determine the audience

•          Divide the assignment into small tasks

•          Have necessary books and materials available

•          Collect and evaluate information

•          Have a focused topic

Writing the Paper

•          Organize and plan for the paper

•          Review APA format

•          Write multiple drafts

•          Edit for spelling, punctuation, grammar, and accuracy

•          Obtain teacher and/or peer feedback on preliminary drafts

•          Submit a neat, legible final draft typed as specified in the assignment

Test Taking Skills

Reviewing Content

•          Determine what the test will cover

•          Know the importance of the test

•          Look over class notes, study questions and any quizzes

•          Scan chapter reviews and summaries

•          List items to be memorized on index cards

•          Make up sample questions

•          Know and prepare for the test format: true and false and short answer questions

Taking the Test

•          Read over the entire test before beginning

•          Read the directions carefully

•          Take time to understand the questions or problems

•          Budget your time wisely

•          Write key words and phrases next to questions as an aid to writing the answer

•          Answer the easy questions first

•          Proof read your answers prior to handing in your test paper