Study Skills for Every. Body. (And… Brain!) ?

So, school is in session and it is time to STUDY! Eeek! ?

First, don’t panic. Remember, academic learning is like any skill or sport: it requires active, frequent practice in ways that work for you and it can improve!

? Here are Four Tips that May Help:

1. Know What You Are Doing WHEN

• Research shows keeping it simple and writing it down (or typing) helps:
• Go through every syllabi! Write or type out dates: weekly/monthly/semester.
  • White board
  • Outlook/Google Calendar
  • Planners
  • Planning apps (see Resources)

2. Information IN

• Determine how you learn BEST:
  • Hearing it? Seeing It? Hands on?
  • The truth: you need ALL THREE
    • Take even limited notes in class for eyes/hands
    • Re-listen to recorded lectures
    • Get your hands on it!
      • Use note cards to flip through
      • Draw pictures or diagrams
      • Practice hands on skills on your own
• Attend class as much as you can. Really.
  • Learning happens in small ways that isn’t just about course content
  • Even passive-learning is OK on “off’ days just by being there
  • Allows for “real time” questions.
• Engage in ACTIVE Learning
  • Cornell has a great resource for this!

3. Outside of Class/Study TIME. Find YOUR  jam.

• Do you need other people around or total silence?
  • Try both! People studying around you can help! (It’s called “body doubling”).
  • Avoid areas where you sleep
  • Turn OFF phones or apps when you really need to focus
• Headphones? Yes or No?
  • Noise cancelling or ear plugs for NO noise
  • Check out White, Brown or Pink Noise
  • Music?
    • With or without lyrics for studying? Try both!

4. Making it STICK

• Active learning
• QUIZZING yourself is one of the best ways to learn and re-learn
• Take advantage of tutoring or group studying
• Learn it and review it again before a test or quiz
• Don’t cram. Really.
  • Small bits of info with less minutes over more days is BETTER than more minutes all in one chunk.

Resources that Help!

• DCTC’s Center for Student Success
• General Study Skills Tips from Education Corner
• Augsburg University Study Apps for All Students

For more information, contact:

Melissa Fletcher
Director, Educational Access and Disability Resources
melissa.fletcher@dctc.edu
651-423-8469