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Instead
of stressing over the inevitable act of
studying, develop some knock-out information-retention
strategies, courtesy of folks in-the-know!
Kiss
Your Study-Habit Worries Goodbye
By
Krista Michelle Arrigo
May 2002
The
CollegeBound Network NewsClick -- Graduation
day is almost here but, before you walk
down that aisle, there's just one more thing
you've got to endure: final exams. But in
order to pass 'em, you've got to put in
some study time.
"Study an hour a day for each class,"
says Shati Gerald, the assistant coordinator
for the student tutorial center in the ACCESS
Program at Norfolk State University, Norfolk,
VA. If you do so throughout the semester,
you'll better prepare yourself for those
dreadful finals. Gerald is totally against
cramming. If you wait until the last minute,
chances are you'll stay up all night studying
and you'll be too tired to remember anything,
she explains. She also advises you don't
" study right before a test because,
as she puts it, "you'll go blank."
But,
if the problem is getting
all the vital 4-1-1, and then studying,
Gerald offers her six super study strategies:
1.
Hit "Record"
The
key to good studying habits starts with
good note-taking skills, Gerald insists.
So, if you're not a great note-taker, in
addition to jotting down key points, she
suggests taking a tape recorder to class
with you. "Tape the professor and then
put [what they say] into your own words
to better understand the material,"
she says.
2.
Gather in Groups
"Form study groups and meet at least
two or three times a week," Gerald
advises. This meeting-of-the-minds will
allow you to compare notes to help review
relevant test material. Afterwards, says
Gerald, "test your study partner[s]."
And, have them do the same with you. How
can you go wrong with your buddies pitching
in to help you retain key knowledge?!
3.
Turn to a Tutor
No, this isn't a sign of weakness, but one
of strength and intelligence. To
boost your grades up a letter or two, Gerald
suggests getting help in your weakest subjects.
"Get
some extra help from a tutor on a one-on-one
basis," she says. A tutor can sometimes
provide insider tips on how to solve a problem
or suggest an easy way to remember something.
4.
Skip Ahead
Besides reading daily assignments, Gerald
also recommends reading the chapters ahead
of time. "Knowing information in advance
will help you excel." And remember,
the mission to this study method is not
to memorize the material, but to become
familar with it and understand it.
5.
Study With Serenity
When sitting down to study, Gerald recommends
retreating to a quiet and comfortable place,
to help you concentrate and fully absorb
the material. Some savvy spots might include
the library (they oftentimes have study
rooms within the main library) or a vacant
classroom (you'd be surprised what studying
in a classroom setting minus students will
do for your grades... believe me, it works!).
6.
Speak Aloud
To
remember things more easily, Gerald recommends
reading things out loud and then repeating
them constantly. This is where retention
sets in. And if you like the way you sound,
that's an even cooler incentive to sound
off!
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