S-4 Study Skills Workshop
Now Try This
1.Keep track of how you spend your time for a week. Rate each activity on a scale from
1 (not important) to 5 (very important). Are there any activities that you need to
reduce or eliminate in order to have enough time to study this term?
2.List three ways that you learn best according to your learning style. How can you use
this information when setting up your study schedule?
3.Download the Weekly Planner Formfrom http://www.cengage.com/math/tussy and complete
your schedule. If you prefer, you may set up a schedule in Google Calendar
(calendar.google.com), http://www.rememberthemilk.com, your cell, or your email system.
Many of these have the ability to set up useful reminders and to-do lists in addition to a
weekly schedule.
4.List three ways in which you are most often distracted. What can you do to avoid these
distractions during your scheduled study times?Now that you understand the
importance of attending class, how will you
make time to study what you have learned
while attending? Much like learning to play the
piano, math skills are best learned by
practicing a little every day.
Make the Time. In general, 2 hours of
independent study time is recommended for
every hour in the classroom. If you are in class
3 hours per week, plan on 6 hours per week for reviewing
your notes and completing your homework. It is best to schedule this time over the
length of a week rather than to try to cram everything into one or two marathon study
days.
Prioritize and Make a Calendar. Because daily practice is so important in learning
math, it is a good idea to set up a calendar that lists all of your time commitments, as well
as the time you will need to set aside for studying and doing your homework. Consider
how you spend your time each week and prioritize your tasks by importance. During the
school term, you may need to reduce or even eliminate certain nonessential tasks in order
to meet your goals for the term.
Maximize Your Study Efforts. Using the information you learned from determining
your learning style, set up your blocks of study time so that you get the most out of these
sessions. Do you study best in groups or do you need to study alone to get anything done?
Do you learn best when you schedule your study time in 30-minute time blocks or do you
need at least an hour before the information kicks in? Consider your learning style to set
up a schedule that truly suits your needs.
Avoid Distractions. Between texting and social networking, we have so many
opportunities for distraction and procrastination. On top of these, there are the distractions
of TV, video games, and friends stopping by to hang out. Once you have set your schedule,
honor your study times by turning off any electronic devices and letting your voicemail
take messages for you. After this time, you can reward yourself by returning phone calls
and messages or spending time with friends after the pressure of studying has been lifted.3 Manage Your Time
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