Motivation and Learning Strategies for College Success : A Self-management Approach

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246 CHAPTER 10

Step 5: Allocate Time for Each Study Strategy in a Weekly Schedule

Remember the discussion of massed versus distributed practice in

chapter 2. Although mass practice may be effective in learning a large

amount of information in a short time, it is a poor method of learn-

ing if retention of information is the goal. Think about the examina-

tions on which you used massed practice. How much of the content

did you remember a few days after the examination?

For each exam you take, consider how much time each of the study

strategies you plan to use will take and then identify time in your weekly

schedule for each of the strategies. For example, in some cases you may

need 1 or 2 days to prepare for short quizzes or exams, whereas for

more detailed exams, you may need a week or more to prepare.

Step 6: Modify the Plan as Necessary

The fact that you developed a study plan does not mean you always

will follow it as planned. Students constantly make changes in their

initial plans, because of an underestimation or overestimation of time

needed to study different content. Many different factors influence the

need for change, such as: the unavailability of certain study material,

the inability to study because of interruptions and distractions, or the

realization that you need to review certain material that you do not

understand or cannot recall.

The following student reaction illustrates that learning any new

strategy takes time. How would you respond to the question asked in

the last sentence?

Student Reflections

I have read the chapter on test preparation and I am trying to implement

the strategy of generating and answering questions for my next exam

vocabulary words, and generating some questions that I think will be

on the exam. I think I am doing everything possible to prepare for the

questions. My instructor makes it sound like test preparation is easy

when it is not. I am never sure what an instructor will ask on an exam.

Everything seems important to me! How do I deal with this situation?

in anthropology. I am outlining the required chapters, studying the

exam. Why don’t I feel confident? There are so many possible questions

that could be on the exam. I don’t know if I am generating enough

AN EXAMPLE OF A STUDY PLAN

Figure 10.2 presents a study plan developed by a student in a child

development course. As you review the procedures, think about how

you could develop your own plans for exams in different courses.