How to study more effectively at a college level

1. Study Skills
Student Success Center
Gannon University

2. Study Plan
• Write down assignments
• Set times to study
• Take breaks

3. Environment
• Where’s the best place to study?
• Get the best conditions you can
• Have the proper lighting
• Organize information

4. Study Methods
• High energy – study more difficult
material or least interesting
• No procrastinating – get to work
• If concentration lost take a break
• Master the vocabulary of the subject

5. Study Methods
• Know your learning style
• Key information – highlight or rewrite
• Note cards
• Mind mapping
• Talk out loud
• Quizzing yourself

6. Learning style
• Visual – use of sight
– Charts, graphs, rewrite notes, pictures
– Visualize concepts and ideas
– Pictures spelling words
– Test yourself by looking at main ideas
and write the details or answers

7. Learning style
• Auditory – use of hearing
– Sit in the front of class
– Discussion groups – hear ideas and concepts
– Repeats information out loud
– Look at main ideas and repeat back
information
– Easily distracted by noise

8. Learning style
• Tactile – use of touch
– Rewrite notes
– Use note cards – organize main ideas
– Study with pen/pencil in hand
– Draw pictures/diagrams
– Organization can be a challenge
• Kinesthetic – use of body
– Walking around helps in memorizing

9. Why take notes?
• You will be an active listener
• History class discussions
• Written information on what to study
• Visual Aid
• Helps one study

10. Note-taking Strategies
• Attend class – come prepared
• Date notes
• Include everything in notes
– Charts, diagrams, etc…
• Use as much paper as needed
• Rewrite notes
• Keep things simple
• Write own notes out of book
• REVIEW

11. Note-taking Techniques
• Outline Format
I.
A.
1.
2.
• Cornell Format
– Questions on left side of page and
answers on right side
• Mapping

12. Note-taking Techniques
• Outline Format
– I. Major headings
• A. Subheading
– 1. description
– 2. description
• B. Subheading
**Can be hard to use in class especially if teaching is not
talking in outline format. Redo notes after class and use
this format.**

13. Note-taking Techniques
• Cornell Format
– The right side is used for questions that
summarize information on the left side
Questions – left side
i.e. Section “A”
Notes– right side
i.e. Section “B”

14. Note-taking Techniques
• Mapping – especially helpful to visual learner
MAIN IDEA
(Four parts of …)
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3Part 4

15. Resources
• Study Skills Assessment
– http://www.studygs.net/attmot4.htm
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