Study Skills - Helping You Make the Grade

Congratulations! You've been accepted into the school of your choice, and succeeded in getting a seat in the classes you need. Your books and supplies are purchased and ready. Now, as you review the syllabus for each of your classes, you may be wondering how in the world you'll ever get all the work done and turned in on time. Relax. A few easy-to-implement ideas will get you where you want to go. And, it's simple to set up. Before going any further, ask yourself if you need to get organized with a study plan, or are study skills where you need to focus your attention? What's the difference? Well, a study plan will help you know when to get started on an assignment, so it's ready by its due date. Study skills are the techniques you need to get assignments turned in on time, and be ready for tests without wasting your valuable time and energy. The rest of this article will deal with both of these topics individually. If you don't need the organization info, feel free to scroll on down to the section on study skills. Your Study Plan-Organization is the Key This simple plan requires four items: a planning calendar, a pencil, the syllabus from each of your classes, and any other standing appointments you may have. Once you have these items: Go through each syllabus, and highlight all due dates. Using a pencil, (so corrections and rescheduled events are easy to deal with) write each item on its appropriate day on your calendar. List all other standing appoints on their respective days. The following step will be easy if you've already worked your way through a semester or two. If this is your first semester, don't worry. After your first assignment, you'll have a better idea of timing. Look at each of your assignments, determine how long it will take you to accomplish each one, (don't forget the reading assignments, and research required to write those papers) and count backwards on your calendar. The day you land on is the day you will begin working on that particular assignment. Of course, depending on your course-load, you may want to allow more time and schedule earlier start dates. Study Skills Once you've gotten your semester organized, a few study skills may be just what you need to make the most of your brand new study plan. The following five suggestions will go a long way in helping you get the most from your classes. Follow the syllabus directions exactly. Spend time making sure you understand what the professor wants, and don't deviate from it. Get to know your books. The text can be a valuable source. Take a little time to check out the appendix, index, and glossary, along with any other study aids the editor included. Use a good note-taking system. There are lots of good ways to take notes, and Cornell Notes is one of the best. It's easy to learn and extremely functional. Join a study group. Having others to bounce ideas off of, and compare notes with, is invaluable. If a group doesn't exist, start one! Create a study space. This doesn't have to be large or elaborate. A chair in the corner of a quiet room works just fine. You want to establish one location that tells your brain, "Now is the time to put everything else aside, and focus only on your studies."