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

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252  CHAPTER 10

TABLE 10.2

Procedures for Developing a Study Plan (Continued)

Procedures Examples

2. Organize and separate the
   content into parts

“I have identified six different types of

problems I need to learn how to solve in

chemistry. I’ll work on the problems in three

different study sessions.”

3. Identify specific study strategies “I decide which study strategy is most helpful
   for the different content I must learn. For ex-
   ample, I prefer to use representations for
   more complex material and note cards for
   factual content.”


4. Estimate the amount of time
   needed for each strategy

“During my first term in college I

underestimated I underestimated how much

time I needed to review course content.

I now begin to study for exams much earlier

because I can’t review a large amount of

content in a day or two.”

5. Allocate time for each study
   strategy in a weekly schedule

“I try to schedule time during the day and

evening when I have an exam so I have time

to complete my other assignments.”

6. Modify the plan as needed “I never realized how many unexpected
   events occur that interfere with my study
   time. I review my study plan each night and
   make needed changes.”

Key Points

1. The primary activity during study is to predict and answer
   potential exam questions.


2. A student needs to prepare for different levels of questions on an exam.


3. A study plan should be developed for each exam.


4. Different types of study strategies should be included in a study
   plan, especially elaboration and organizational strategies.


5. Representations can be a useful method for generating test questions.


6. Time management is an important factor in implementing the
   activities in a study plan.


7. A student should focus on review material (i.e., note cards,
   representations, questions, and answers) during the last day(s)
   before an exam, rather than rereading books and notes.

Follow-up Activities

1. Use the Self-management Process to Improve Exam Preparation

Complete the following self-study during a period of 2 to 3 weeks.

Your report should include each of the following processes and should