Description of study techniques and how to study better.

1. Writing Assignments
• Chapter 1
– Write a short paragraph about what your would like to
learn in the course
• Chapter 2
– Academic Biography – write a couple of paragraphs about
your academic preparedness for college. Best or worst
school experiences, anything about your schools you want
to share.
• Chapter 3
– Of the 4 main learning styles (Aural, Visual, Read/Write, or
Kinesthetic - write about what learning style you think you are and
how you study.

2. Being an Effective
Student Series
Marcus Simmons
Supportive Services Coordinator/Advisor –
Itawamba Community College

3. Being an Effective
Student Series
Note taking
Time Management &
Organizational Skills
Effective Study Skills
Taking Exams or Tests
Marcus Simmons
Supportive Services Coordinator/Advisor –
Itawamba Community College

4. Being an Effective
Student Series
This CD:
Effective
Study Skills
Marcus Simmons
Supportive Services Coordinator/Advisor –
Itawamba Community College

5. Effective Study Skills
and Tips
• Review – Do not study
• Set a specific time and place to review each day
• Use your textbook and SQ3R method (model
attached)
• Make note cards, study guides, and concept maps
• Turn notes and textbook annotations into study
guides
• Use spare minutes in the day to review and study
• If a commuter student – DO NOT leave for class
until your studying is completed
• Create Study groups
• Take advantage of all study groups, review sessions,
study guides, and instructor led study sessions
• Use your knowledge of how you learn and study best
to study and learn more effectively

6. SQ3R – Survey, Question,
Read, Recite, and Review
This is an excellent
method to use your notes
Or your textbook to
review and study for
tests in any class.

7. Survey
• The title, headings, and subheadings
• Captions under pictures, charts, graphs,
and maps
• Review questions or teacher made study
guides
• Introductory and concluding paragraphs
• Summary

8. Question
• Turn the title, headings, and subheadings into
questions
• Read the questions at the end of the chapters
or after each subheading
• Ask yourself. “What did my instructor say
about this chapter or heading?”
• Ask yourself, “What do I already know about
this subject?”
Note: if it is helpful to you, write these questions
for consideration.

9. Read
• Look for the answers to the questions
you first created
• Answer the questions at the end of the
chapters or headings
• Re-read the captions under the pictures,
graphs, etc.
• Note all of the underlines, italicized, bold
printed words, or phrases
• Study graphic aids
• Reduce your reading speed for difficult
sections
• Stop and re-read parts that are not clear
• Read only one section at a time and
“RECITE” (next step) before reading on
further

10. Recite
• Orally ask and answer questions or orally
paraphrase what you have just read
• Take notes from the text, but write them in
your own words
• Underline or highlight important points you
read
Special Note:
Triple your learning by: Seeing saying, and
hearing
Quadruple your learning by: Seeing, saying,
hearing, and writing

11. •
•
•
•
Review
DAY 1
– After you have read and recited the whole
chapter, write questions for all main point you
highlighted
– If you took notes while reciting, make questions
for those
DAY 2
– Page through the text and your notes to acquaint
yourself again with the material
– Orally recite and answer the question from
memory
– Make flashcards
– Develop mnemonic devices for recall later
DAYS 3, 4, and 5
– Alternate between flashcards and notes and
review
WEEKEND
– Create a study sheet for all of the material
covered
– Organize the materials

12. SQ3R form
Survey – Record important titles and subtitles in the section
Question – Write- Who, what, when, where, and why Questions for the topics
Read – Write answers to the questions above
Recite – Record any key facts from the questions above
Review – On paper write or re-write a summary of the information from the
section in your own words.

13. A.S.P.I.R.E System
•
•
•
•
•
•
A – Approach/Attitude/Arrange
– Make sure you approach your classes and studies with a positive attitude
S – Select/Survey/Scan
– Select a reasonable amount to study at one time
– Survey the headings, graphs, and pre/post questions
– Scan the text for key words
P – Piece together the parts
– Put aside your books and notes, and try to piece together all of the material orally or by
writing
I – Investigate/Inquire/Inspect
– Investigate alternative sources of information (internet or library)
– Inquire from professionals
– Inspect what you did not understand
R – Reexamine/Reflect/Relay
– Reexamine the material, reflect on what it means, and relay the information to a classmate
E – Evaluate/Examine/Explore
– Evaluate your grades on tests and assignments
– Examine the progress you are making
– Explore options; tutoring, the Success Center, the Writing Center, etc…

14. Flashcards
• Flashcards can be used in many
different ways:
– Use them in small packs of 10 or less
– Increase the level of difficulty
– Use small cards 3x5 are the best
•
•
•
•
•
Use as a note taking strategy
Use as a matching game
Use for a quick review
Use pictures or diagrams instead of words
http://www.flashcardmachine.com/2661717/w96a

15. INDEX Study System
• Similar to the Flashcard method, the
Index Study system is used for
short answer or essay answer
questions.
– Place the question on one side of the
card then write the answer completely
on the other side.

16. Memory Techniques
• Acronyms – An invented or real word with each letter
representing a word in a group that you need to
remember.
– MADS (Multiplication, Addition, Division, Subtraction)
• Acrostics – A sentence created in which the first letter
or each word is used to remember a word you need to
learn.
– Marcus And David Swim
Subtraction)
(Multiplication, Addition, Division,
• Image Name Technique – Associate a picture with
someone or something you need to remember.
– David Letterman (picture an man delivering a letter)

17. Conclusion
Try the other of this series:
• Time Management &
Organizational Skills
• Note Taking
• Taking Exams or Tests
Marcus Simmons
Supportive Services Coordinator/Advisor
Student Support Center – Room 123 E
mgsimmons@iccms.edu

18. Assignment
• Create an Acronym for something you
are currently studying – or
• Create an Acrostic for something you
are currently studying.

19. References
Developing your studying method. (n.d.) Certification Crazy. Retrieved January
6, 2006 from, http://www.certification-crazy.net/studyadvice%20method.htm
Doyle, B. (2004). Effective study techniques.
Retrieved January 6, 2006 from Arkansas State University web site:
http://www.clt.astate.edu/bdoyle/effective_studytechniques.htm
Ellis, D. (2006). Becoming a master student. (11th ed.). New York: Houghton
Mifflin Company.
Landsberger, J. (2005). The SQ3R reading method. Study Guides and Strategies.
Retrieved February 10, 2006 from, http://www.studygs.net/texred2/htm
Lorphevre, T. (2005). Core Skills Survival Guide. Retrieved February 10, 2006
from London South Bank University Core Skills Survival Guide web site:
www.lsbu.ac.uk/caxton
Note taking system. (n.d). Retrieved February 10, 2006 from California
Polytechnic State University web site:
http://www.sas.calpoly.edu/asc/ssl/html
Richards, R. (2002). Memory strategies for students. LDOnLine. Retrieved
October 4, 2005 from,
www.ldonline.org/ld_indepth/teaching_techniques/memory_strategies.htm
Seidman, A. (2005). Program justification. Learning Support Centers in Higher
Education. Retrieved February 2, 2006 from,
http://www.pvc.maricopa.edu/~lsche/resources/program_just.htm
Test taking and anxiety. (2001). Retrieved January 6, 2006 from Pennsylvania
State University Learning Center web site:
http://www.ulrc.psu.edu/studyskills/test_taking.html