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Taking notes in class is one of the most effective ways to understand the material being
presented in class. Unless you have a photographic mind, you'll need to learn this important skill.
1. Come to class prepared. Always bring enough paper and a writing instrument of your
choice to class.
2. Start a new page for each new class. Also, put the date on the top of the first page. This
way you will know where the notes for each class begin, which will help you keep the
material organized. Consider keeping your notes organized in their own binder.
3. Don’t try to write down every word your teacher says. You will not be able to, even if
you can write very fast. More importantly, in trying to do so, you will miss the overall point
your teacher is trying to make.
4. Write down the big ideas. Listen for facts, connections, and main ideas. This may take a
while to get used to, because you will need to divide your attention between listening to the
teacher (or other students) and writing your notes. Don’t get frustrated. In time, this will
become easier.
5. Use abbreviations for commonly occurring names and words. You can develop your own
abbreviations, as long as you don’t forget what they stand for. For example, in a lecture on
Einstein, you might write his name out the first time, and then abbreviate it as "E" throughout
the rest of your notes. Long words such as government can become "govt." and federal can
become "fed." Develop your own system and stick to it, once it works.
6. Leave lots of room on the page. When writing, leave ample space between ideas. This is
like pausing before you begin a new sentence. Your notes will much easier to read, and
you’ll have space to add information later on, if needed. Don’t try to cram everything onto
one piece of paper.
7. Use diagrams and pictures where necessary. Sometimes it is helpful to draw pictures that
illustrate the connections between ideas, sequences, or events. Don’t be afraid to draw
pictures that will help you understand the material.
8. Write down corresponding page numbers from your textbook. Teachers often use the
textbook to refer to ideas you’re learning in class. Recording the page number of
corresponding ideas and homework assignments can come in handy later on.
9. Review your notes for accuracy. It’s a good idea to look over your notes sometime after
class for accuracy and completeness. Consider doing this just before doing your homework to
get yourself back in the mindset of the material.
10. Obtain notes for missed classes. Sometimes it’s necessary to miss class, but that
shouldn’t stop you from getting notes for it. Consider forming a partnership with another
student at the beginning of class on whom you can rely (and who can rely on you) for notes
when a class is missed. Your teacher may also be willing to share his or her notes with you.
You can improve your performance in classes by ensuring that homework is understood and completed.
1. Find an appropriate and consistent environment for study. This place should be quiet, and
have adequate lighting and a desk or writing surface. If possible, use this place as a study area
exclusively. Minimize distractions such as TV, stereo, telephone, etc.
2. Set up a routine. Set up a homework routine for the same time daily, if possible.
This will let your parents know that you have expectations with regards to homework. It will
also help you develop a habit of completing schoolwork at the same time and place daily.
3. Have your parents help prepare an area for work. Stock your homework center with the
appropriate
supplies, such as a dictionary, thesaurus,
textbooks, pencils, paper, calculators, etc.
4. Set little goals for yourself. Set short-range goals prior to beginning homework. For example,
"1) Review the concept of slope, 2) Complete the assigned math homework, and 3) Write a
thesis statement for my essay." Take short breaks between assignments for different classes.
5. Get organized and don’t procrastinate. Use of a daily planner and find someone to
demonstrate how to use it to organize assignments, extra curricular activities, and other
commitments. Keep a three-ring notebook for each subject taken.
6. Monitor your own progress. Touch base with your teacher and make sure you have
completed all the work. Try keeping your own grades in a notebook. Be aware of what needs
to be accomplished each night and check to see that it is done, if necessary. Avoid having your
parents or teachers having to hover over you throughout the year.
7. Confirm that your homework is or was done correctly. Don’t wait until class starts, go
ask your teacher for help well before class so that you and your teacher can discuss your
answers appropriately.
If you were to prepare for a test the way you might prepare for a big game, you’d probably make a game plan. OK, so the test probably isn’t nearly as much fun as a game, but your goal is the same; develop a plan to win.
Before
the Exam: *
1. Prepare for the exam by studying for the type of exam given. If it is a multiple
choice exam, create flash cards that help you memorize the material. If you must
write an essay; create outlines that help you see the relationships in the material.
2. Don’t wait until the night of the exam. Studies show that reviewing the material on a daily
or every other day bases will help you retain the information better. Waiting to study 2-3
weeks of material the night before an exam can develop anxiety. Plus, you won’t have the
opportunity to talk to your teacher about concepts or terms that you’re unclear about.
“Cramming” usually does not help with your long term memory.
3. Take advantage of the teacher’s tutoring or study
sessions. Getting one on one
instruction
can make a world
of difference and going to study sessions may help narrow down the
information to be
tested. Proper preparation may help reduce anxiety.
4. Get a good night’s rest prior to the test day. Also, eat a healthy breakfast or lunch on
the day of the exam (don’t over-eat!).
* See
Strategies for Success: Study Hints
When
You Begin:
1. Take a deep breath to relax. Anxiety may reduce your confidence and be an
obstacle to doing your best.
2. Preview the whole test briefly before you begin. This will help get you
warmed up to take the exam and allow you to note the way the exam is organized.
3. Find out how much time you have to take the test and how much each section is worth.
Allocate your time accordingly. Don’t spend the whole test on a section that is worth say only
10 points if the exam is worth 120 points.
4. Read the
directions for each section.
During
the Test:
1. Always read the directions before you work on a section. By reading the directions, it will
allow you to make clear decision on what to do and how to do them. Look for key words such
as “and”, “or”, “explain”; a lot of times these words are used to add a second or third part to
the question. Failing to read directions can cause you to completely misjudge what the test is
asking.
2. Ask your instructor to explain directions you don’t understand. It is also important to
mention that if a question is unclear; ask your instructor to clarify if they can.
3. Divide and conquer! Answer the easy questions first to build confidence. This will also allow
you to rack up as many points as possible right from the start. However, always be sure to
mark the questions you don’t answer right away so you can go back to them.
4. Pace yourself. Check the time to make sure you’re pacing yourself appropriately.
5. When in doubt, guess. You at least have a chance that you might guess correctly. “Never”
leave a question unanswered even if you have to guess, it might be correct or earn you at least
a few points. An unanswered question will be a “zero”.
6. Don’t let others distract you. Focus only on your own exam. If others are writing and
you aren’t, don’t panic. If others finish before you do, try not to get nervous.
7. Use any extra time to first make sure you’ve answered all the questions. Then, go
over the more difficult questions and read them a second time. Read essays
carefully for accuracy first and grammar second.
8. Don’t change your initial answer unless you have a good reason to do so;
research indicates that 3 out of 4 times a first choice was probably correct.
1. Don’t be absent from class. Attendance is very important because it allows
you to stay on top of assignments, information, lectures, activities, exams, projects, etc…
2. Be attentive while is class. Get good night rests and eating healthy helps. Ask questions
and participating in class will keep the lesson more interesting than just being passive.
3. Be prepared before going to class. Have all necessary materials for class such as;
pencils/pens, paper, folders, texts, and assignments.
4. Do the class work that is assigned to you. Keeping up with daily reading and work
assignments will prevent you from falling behind and having to constantly be catching up.
Quizzes or pop quizzes may spring up any time. By doing the work it will keep you on your
toes in the event the teacher asks you a question or an opinion about the subject matter.
5. Write it all down during lecture. Take good notes (never recopy), make note cards, and
write down questions and ask them as soon as possible. If you “doodle” in your notes, it’s
alright, the picture might remind you of a concept during an exam.
6. Attend study sessions if they are offered. Either class sessions or classmate sessions. You
may have forgotten something or you may have a question that someone at the session can
answer.
7. Communicate with your teacher. For what ever reason you’re not sure of a concept,
assignment, lesson, etc…; go talk to your teacher. Schedule a time to meet for tutoring,
teachers are happy to meet your needs if you’re sincere and independently responsible for
your studies.
8. Manage your time. For example, even though an assignment was not given in class take
some time (10 min., 20 min., 30 min., etc...) to review what you went over that day. This
will generate questions that you can ask the teacher the next day and/or make you more
familiar with the material so that studying for the test will not be a totally new experience.
Don't procrastinate and get assignments done, study for the test early; if you have any
questions ask them now.
9. Know the vocabulary in order to speak the topic. A lot of times, certain subjects are
like (or are) a foreign language. In order to speak the language to have to know the terms.
Daily review, relating personal experiences or the use of analogies can help.
10. Try teaching others. Sometimes you learn if you teach it. While studying for a quiz
or test; literally try teaching the topic to a friend or family member. “Discuss” with them
what you've learned and even try asking them questions. Review the answers with them
while looking at your notes or text. In other words, you be the teacher. This can help reduce
anxiety or embarrassment because you’ve been in the class and have all the answers in front
of you.
11. Study “nearly” every day. Don’t wait
until the “night of”. By looking over
the material
on a daily bases, you can remember items better, ask
questions prior to an exam, and not
have to cram the material the night before the exam.
12. Only study items that you don’t understand. There is really no need to study items or
concepts that you’re already familiar with. It takes extra time and can give you a false
sense of security that you know all the information. Concentrate on what you don’t know.
Young people are developing emotionally, intellectually, and physically. Parents can help their child be successful students by encouraging them in the following suggested ways:
1. Create a quiet space for homework to be completed. A place free from disruption and
fully stocked with supplies (pencils, pens, paper, stapler, tape, calculator, etc.) is ideal.
2. Communicate with your child. Ask about their homework, and what large projects and tests
are upcoming. Also, stay in touch with school. Attend parent-teacher conferences, ask for
periodical updates on your child’s progress by contacting the school or educator, be involved
with activities at the school.
3. Keep a family routine. Address such concerning times as dinner, homework, and TV.
4. Remember that intrinsic motivation leads to greater creativity. Allow your child to try a
variety of activities (clubs, sports, activities) in order to find their true interests.
5. Encourage your child to keep trying when faced with a challenge. Remind your child that
teachers and counselors are available to provide extra help both academically or emotionally.
6. Tell your child to seek help if they need it. Teachers are happy to meet student request for
tutoring or mentoring. Often, a one-on-one meeting can make a world of difference in
learning due to the individual attention. Teachers can set up times for tutoring (ie. just before
an exam) in accordance to the students schedule for more flexibility.
7. Encourage your child to read. If your child wants to improve their scores on standardized
tests, reading helps. The best way to improve reading comprehension and vocabulary is to
read a lot.
8. Help your child to set realistic goals and work toward them systematically. Also, no
matter what the goal (making a sports team, improving academic grades, or learning a new
skill) remind children that the journey is as important as attaining the goal.
9. Help with their understanding. Be there to assist them with their homework or studying. If
the subject is unclear, ask your child to explain the topic, communicate with the teacher
(phone, email, notes) to help understand the concept, or even use online internet resources.
10. Praise your adolescent for their contributions to family, school, and community. This
conveys a belief in their accomplishments and helps to build a positive self-image.
References
Guides and suggestive information for students, teachers,
and parents. Retrieved on
How parent
can help their middle or high school child. Retrieved on