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Study Skills Handouts and Information

This section includes:

  • Reading Your Textbooks Effectively and Efficiently
  • Taking Lecture and Class Notes
  • Where to Study/How to Study

Reading Your Textbooks Effectively and Efficiently

Many college students discover that there is significantly more to read in college than there was in high school. Students frequently remark that they don't have enough time to read through all of their assignments during the week. However, many students have bad habits and suffer from reading myths. This page is designed to help you understand reading as an active activity and help you become a more efficient and effective reader.

The documents on this page are provided for downloading in Microsoft Word and/or Microsoft Excel format. You will need to have Microsoft Office 97/98, or later, to read and print them.

Reading Myths

Some common reading myths:

  • Read every word.
  • One reading is sufficient.
  • Don't skip passages.
  • Machines improve speed.
  • A faster rate means less comprehension.

The following documents explain in more detail some misconceptions about reading:

How to Read Your Texts: The SQ3R Method of Reading

One commonly used approach to reading, which works well for texts, is the Survey, Question, Read, Review and Recite (SQ3R) Method. The main steps are as follows:

  • Survey - before you read, scan the titles, headings, pictures and chapter summaries
  • Question - actively ask yourself questions as you read such as, what are the key topics in this section/chapter?
  • Read - read for comprehension, locate concepts and facts, record and reduce information to notes/summaries
  • Review - practice and rehearse the main concepts, reflect on key learnings, anticipate exam questions
  • Recite - transfer information to long term memory

For more information on how to use the SQ3R method and other reading techniques, download one of the handouts below:

Where to Read

Where you read is a very important aspect of how you read. Be sure that you read in a place that is quiet, has good lighting and allows you to stay alert. For more suggestions, download the following handout:

Miniversity Course

Improving Reading Speed and Comprehension Speed Reading

  • 4 sessions; offered early each term

Contact Collis Miniversity for more information.

Taking Lecture and Class Notes

Information presented in class often contains the most important course information and the material most likely to be included on exams. Yet, students frequently do not realize the importance of notetaking and listening. The following handouts provide tips on how to recall more information from your lectures through active listening and purposeful notetaking. In addition, lecture notes can be a critical tool for preparing for exams. Suggestions are provided for how to use your notes regularly to review.

The documents on this page are provided for downloading in Microsoft Word and/or Microsoft Excel format. You will need to have Microsoft Office 97/98, or later, to read and print them.

Listening

Listening is an essential learning tool, however, human beings are poor listeners. Research reveals that individuals only recall 50% of what they hear and that 20-30% is incorrect. The following documents outline ways to improve your listening habits and retain more information from class.

Taking Notes

While many students view notetaking as an activity conducted simply in lecture, solid notetaking skills require preparation and practice as well. Your class notes can serve as an important tool for reviewing for exams and distilling key concepts. The following handouts provide suggestions on ways to take good notes and use them well. The key is to use a system:

  • review regularly
  • recite (repeating key concepts from class)
  • reflect (connecting class ideas to other notes and readings)

Note Taking Handouts

  • Taking Lecture Notes (26K Word)
  • The Cornell Note Taking System (21K Word)
  • Taking Notes for Others (22K Word)

Where To Study / How To Study

The documents on this page are provided for downloading in Microsoft Word and/or Microsoft Excel format. You will need to have Microsoft Office 97/98, or later, to read and print them.

Where to Study

Although studying in a residence hall is convenient, it is often a poor place to learn. Your room has a variety of distractions including Blitzmail, Snood, your bed, video games, friends down the hall.

If you want to improve your concentration and efficiency as a student, locate a place to study that is just that - a place where you go to work on academics. The campus is full of good spots to study. Experiment with what works best for you. The handout below provides a list of common study spots on campus and includes rankings of noise level, cleanliness, and availability.

How to Study

Many students are surprised at the differences in studying for college courses versus how they studied in high school. College midterms and exams which require knowledge and application of concepts rather than simple memorization of facts. Students frequently discover they need to adapt their study habits to the college setting. Here are some tips for getting started:

  • Study in chunks: 20-50 minute time periods followed by a brief break (5-10 minutes) is the most effective way to study
  • Use daylight hours: an hour of studying during the day is worth two at night! Do the work that requires the most concentration (typically reading) earliest in the day.
  • Rank your three classes and be sure to spend time on your most challenging class everyday and early in the day.
  • Study actively: ask yourself questions, review your notes regularly, discuss key concepts with peers and course professor

The following documents provide additional strategies for general academic success and for specific subject areas including the sciences and writing.

Concentration and Memory

In order to combat forgetting, students should review course materials regularly and actively. The following worksheets provide specific strategies for staying motivated, improving your memory, and active review.

Last Updated: 9/3/09