Study Skills Matter

Many students do poorly in school because they lack efficient study skills.  Homework is overlooked or goes missing -- test dates are forgotten -- studying for tests is limited to a cursory glance at notes, which are often incomplete.  Homework-related issues become major sources of conflict at home.

Yet successful study skills are no secret, and good students who know how to

• Manage their time and balance homework and study with other activities
• Organize their school materials so they have what they need when they need it and don't waste time shuffling through piles of folders and papers.
• Take good notes in class that are clear and complete.
• Create study guides that help them monitor their learning.
• Take tests with confidence and skill.

General Study Tips for Students

• Make learning (and home work) a focal point of each day.
• Have a specific time and place to study, and keep to the schedule.
• Don't leave studying for tests until the last minute: cramming is not learning.
• Recognize that re-reading notes is not the same as learning them.
• Know that memorization does not necessarily equate to learning.
• Be an active learner: establish goals and set purposes.
• Be an active learner: develop study guides (double-column notes) and study cards.
• Organize three-ring binders by class and color-code folder.
• Use mnemonics to memorize: ROY G BIV (colors of rainbow).
• Use highlighters and post-it notes.
• Complete most difficult assignments first.
• Turn off the phone, the iPod, the TV.
• Don't be embarrassed to admit if you don't understand something and get help.