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STUDY ENVIRONMENT / ACTIVE READING
Let’s face it - being a high school student isn’t easy. Balancing
school, friends, family, sports, etc… can be a real challenge! At this
point, we are a month into the new school year and some of you may be
feeling pressure to juggle all of your responsibilities successfully.
That is why each month, in this section STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS, we will
be highlighting strategies to help you, the student, make the most of
your high school experience.
We are going to first talk about where you study…
CREATE A STUDY ENVIRONMENT
• Set a place.
• Set a time.
• Set breaks.
True, learning takes time. You need a consistent approach: a specific
place, a routine time, and scheduled breaks.
The Place
Choose a place that is quiet and has few distractions. Keep your study
tools – pencils, pens, paper, dictionary, ruler – nearby, so you can
find them when you need them. Make sure your study space has good
lighting, so your eyes won’t become strained. If music helps you study,
make sure the volume is low and doesn’t distract you.
The Time
Make a study appointment with yourself. Select a time in the day when
you are at your best – alert, fresh, relaxed, and of course awake. Stick
to the same time each day, as often as you can. When you begin to study,
look at the homework you have for that day. Plan how you will complete
it.
Note to working students: Make studying a priority. Arrange your work
schedule around your study schedule. If that isn’t possible, try to
arrange a study period at school.
Breaks
Short breaks refresh your mind. Schedule your first break before you
begin to study. It will give you something to work toward. On your
break, change your scenery: take a walk, go outside, breath deeply.
Studies have shown that your physical well being affects your mental
well-being.
Homework Hints
Here are three ways that you can tackle your homework. Discover which
one works best for you!
Short and Easy: Complete the shortest and easiest assignments first.
This may give you a boost of confidence for the longer and more
difficult tasks.
Full energy approach: Complete the longer and harder assignments first –
while you have more energy to tackle them.
The swing: Alternate between difficult and easy assignments. By doing
this, you give yourself a mental break.
Copyright© 2000 by the ICPAC
READ ACTIVELY:
Before you read, preview the material in the chapter. Read any
introductions or chapter summaries.
Have a purpose when you read. You may want to think of a question that
you are trying to answer in each section of the material. Do not move
ahead in the chapter till you can answer your question.
Ask yourself “Am I getting it?” If not, go back and find the place
where you last understood the material and reread.
Focus on the main idea and any supporting information.
Take notes as you read. Try making an outline of the material by
organizing the main ideas and each supporting detail.
In your own words, write a brief summary of the main ideas. Or, draw a
diagram illustrating the relationship between the main ideas.
SQ3R:
Another easy way to remember how to read ACTIVELY is by using the
acronym SQ3R that stands for Survey, Question, Read, Recite, Review.
Why? This method is proven to help you use your time efficiently so that
you get the most out of your reading – it’s not always about spending
more time reading, it’s also about learning to read more effectively.
Here’s how it works:
Survey:
• Get an idea of the chapter by reviewing the highlights
• Read the title, headings, and subheadings
• Take note of words that are italicized or bold
• Look at charts, pictures, graphs, and other visual material
• Read captions
• Read the very beginning and end of the chapter
Question:
• Turn the title, headings, and subheadings into questions
• Rewrite the questions at the end of the chapter or after each
subheading in your own words
Read:
• Read one section at a time, actively, looking for an answer to your
question for that section.
• Pay attention to bold and italicized text that authors use to make
important points.
• Be sure to review everything in the section, including tables, graphs,
illustrations, as these features can communicate an idea more powerfully
than written text.
Recite:
• At the end of each section, look up from the text and in your own
words recite an answer to your question for that section. Then write
down your answer.
• Be sure to provide examples that support it.
• Now repeat Question, Read, Recite for each section of the chapter or
assigned reading.
Review:
• After completing each chapter or reading assignment, review your
notes.
• Identify the main points of the reading by looking for the most
important idea in each section.
• Recite or write a brief summary of the chapter or reading assignment.
WOW – I know it sounds like a lot of work but I wouldn’t recommend it if
I didn’t know that is a tried a true method that works! So give it a try
next time you sit down to study – you’ll see there is something to be
said for SQ3R after all!
Copyright © 2003 College Board |
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