Learning Tips and Study Habits

"SQ3R is a five-step reading strategy similar to PQRST and KWL table. The name is an abbreviation of the five steps of the strategy: Survey (or Skim), Question, Read, Recite (or Recall) and Review.

1. Survey (2 minute): Before beginning reading look through the whole chapter. See what the headings are-the major ones and the subheadings; hierarchical structures seem to be particularly easy for our brains to latch onto-check for introductory and summary paragraphs, references, etc. Resist reading at this point, but see if you can identify 3 to 6 major ideas in the chapter.
2. Question (usually less than 30 seconds): Ask yourself what this chapter is about: What is the question that this chapter is trying to answer? Or-along the curiosity lines-What question do I have that this chapter might help answer? Repeat this process with each subsection of the chapter, as well, turning each heading into a question. (As a variation of this technique, you can write the important question down; this is called SQW3R)
3. Read (at your own pace): Read one section at a time looking for the answer to the question proposed by the heading. This is active reading and requires concentration so find yourself a place and time where you can concentrate.
4. Recite/write (about a minute): Say to yourself out loud or write down a key phrase that sums up the major point of the section and answers the question. It is important to use your own words, not just copy a phrase from the book. Research shows that we remember our own (active) connections better than ones given to us (passive), indeed that our own hierarchies are generally better than the best prefab hierarchies.
5. Review (less than 5 minutes): After repeating steps 2-4 for each section you have a list of key phrases that provides a sort of outline for the chapter. Test yourself by covering up the key phrases and seeing if you can recall them. Do this right after you finish reading the chapter. If you can't recall one of your major points, that's a section you need to reread.

The Review part is usually meant to be an ongoing process. Flash cards, notes or other material made during one of the above 5 steps, can be used to review for a few minutes every day for several days.

The SQ3R method is a comprehension method originally created as a study skill strategy for college students. However, with direct teaching and practice, the SQ3R method works with students starting in the early elementary levels as well. Early elementary teachers can introduce the SQ3R method to students by teaching students to survey the material they are going to read, make predictions based on the survey, and read to answer questions they have created prior to reading. The students demonstrate the recitation process when they respond and react to the predictions and questions posed. Once the students enter the upper elementary grades, approximately 4th grade, and have begun to read longer and more complex texts, all of the steps for the SQ3R method can be introduced and practiced. Consistently using the SQ3R method will become an effective study strategy for students.

In order to fully develop an understanding of the SQ3R method, students need to have an understanding of text structures and be able to generate main ideas. When teaching the SQ3R method teachers need to take time to carefully introduce, teach, model, and provide practice of each step. After an ample amount of time teaching and practicing the steps of the SQ3R method, students should practice applying the SQ3R skills to various types and lengths of texts. "

To get an A+ in class when you are a C, you work very, very hard and get all A+'s from here on end.

Unfortunately, if the professor grades on the average of all your work, your C status might prevent you from becoming an A student, particularly if you are near the end-of-term. Talk to the professor.

Often, C status is an indication of inability to meet the demands of the work. This could be due to not being prepared to do the work, being overloaded with coursework, or not being committed to doing the work, possibly due to the tendency to party, drink, do drugs, etc.

If the latter is true, and you really want an A, you have some hard decisions to make. Talk to your Counselor. School is not a party. School is a job, and your job is to work at school and do well enough to be recognized by potential employers.

Sorry for the preaching, but it is true. The first two "inabilities" applied to me, though I knew many to which the third "inability", partying, brought them down. Now I pay for it by not having a degree. Even though I am a successful engineer, some things are out of my grasp because of the lack of the degree.

Note: You have to concentrate on what you are doing, for example if you ask a question about grades, please make sure you don't put it in the 'Programming' category.

Mnemonics don't improve memory, they help you to use what you have more efficiently. They are a trick to help you remember things faster.

Mostly your own brain! I don't mean you're stupid -- your brain just gets distracted and keeps you from doing the work you need to do!

If you'd like a list, here's a few things that happen inside your brain:

• Environmental distraction - trying to study or work in a noisy place, or a place with a lot of distracting things to look at, or a place with too many things going on
• Physical distraction - trying to study or work while you are doing other things, like texting, phoning, listening to music, playing video games, paying attention to the internet, or talking to anyone
• Mental distraction - your brain wants to think about anything besides boring school work! Thinking about anything else distracts you from the work.
• Entertainment distraction - you're playing while you should be studying or working. You need a set time to study or do schoolwork, and no excuses to avoid it.

Here are some reasons:

• anything you study makes you smarter!
• the world will always need someone to stop criminals
• studying how criminals think and behave helps you understand how everyone thinks and behaves
• studying ways to break the law helps you understand the law better