Convert titles, headings and subheadings into questions. Attempting to answer those questions may help focus your reading.
Review; don’t memorize what you have read. Be sure you can explain and summarize the major points.
After 20 minutes, take a short break: Research has shown that students learn the most during the first and last ten minutes of any study session.
Break it into smaller parts, if it seems overwhelming; break it into smaller parts.
“Students learn 10% of what they read, 20% of what they hear, 30% of what they see, 50% of what they see and hear, 70% of what is discussed with others, 80% of what they experience personally and 95% of what they teach someone else.”
Develop a timed plan when testing.
Multiple Choice: If two of the choices on a multiple-choice questions are similar or opposite, one of them is probably the correct answer.
Look for key words in True/False questions. Statements with always, never, every, all and none are usually false. Statements with usually, often, sometimes, most and many in them are usually true.
Study by predicting exam questions. Develop a list of main topics and turn then into questions, then answer them.
Repetition is the key to memorization.
Be an effective listener by focusing on content not delivery, remaining open-minded about a lecture topic and by noting the pattern used by the speaker in organizing your notes.
Combat procrastination by breaking large tasks into smaller ones.
Set up a reward system for completing your work (coffee break, movie, a new DVD or CD) to help you accomplish your short-term goals.
Habits take two weeks to create and two weeks to break. Complete a task one at a time, on time, and gain confidence in doing so.
Divide a piece of paper in two. Write the questions on the left side and the answers on the right side. Cover the answers with a blank piece of paper and write the answers again. Do this until all of the answers are correct.
When writing, consider the following: Find a subject you care about. Do not ramble and keep it simple. If you have the guts, cut. Sound like yourself and say what you mean to say.