Successful Study Guide
I've always wanted to be a writer in some fashion and now I am... be it blogging, hubs or writing a couple of story or poems for fun
Study Buddy
This is a 'generic' study guide, for all forms of academia (homework, class, tests etc) as well as grades. I also have included Supplies for your convenience, or maybe you just forgot something in the back to school Rush, whatever the case may be, I'm here for ya and will try to include a bit of everything.
I'm pretty sure its safe to say, everyone studies in a different way. Some may use index cards to learn spelling (we did in Kintergarden) or the definitions to words, as well as remembering their argument for the debate team. Some do well working with another reading off a question for the other to answer, others maybe like to blast the music to drown out distractions & interruptions. I'm sure some just might make 'tapes' or MP3 files with their notes included on a tape or cd of what they need to learn for a test & that way studying won't be as painful, but weather that really works or not, its up to you to test I am not liable
I would also love to hear your ideas & tips you may later just find them in the list!
Even if you are on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there.
~Will Rogers
26 Study Tips to "NAIL IT"
Some of these tips I had saved from a student planner and others are my own.
This is really old school but in case of an emergency & there's a power outage the night or 2 before the big test.. prepare yourself ahead of time with a couple of these
Altoids tin Candle better to have a few of these just in case if you have coleman lanterns & the batteries run out. Also if you are studying for a history test... then you will know & can write about what it like to write by candle light
- If you do not know the answer to a true or false question, mark it true
- The questions that state a reason (since, because) usually tend to be false
- Qualifying words, such as usually, some, probably, & often; frequently tend to make a question true
- Break difficult assignments into smaller more manageable tasks
- Before answering test questions, budget how much time you will need to finish each section. Then start with the easiest section.
(*) In a way yes. I used to read a question & if I couldn't answer it at that time I'd either makea a note of it, make a mark near it or go back & look for it later. This way you don't lose time looking through the whole thing. Answer the questios you can right away. Then use the rest of the tie to answer questions, & whatever other parts there are to a test.
- * If you have to write an essay or answer the question in a written form, ANSWER the question with part of the question in it.
(There should be print outs I've included on here, If you do not see one then Please check out /www.squidoo.com/creative-writing-101"> my Creative Writing 10 lens
- When Answering questions on a test, & not sure about them. Rely on your first impression. The First answer that cones to mind is often correct.
*i'd agree as even on goofy pop culture trivia tests my first impression is usually right, but I don't seem to listen
- Set prioities by making up a "to-do' list of assignments.
- Homework... have something for each subject? Do it from whatever is easiest to the hardest. SO you won't be spending your whole night at your desk (or dinner table) or you can do the easiest, then save hardest for 2nd to last & save your favorite (more likely the easiest lol) for last as a 'treat'
- To improve readin gcomprehension, remember "SQ 5R" ~
Survey Question
Read
Record
Recite
Repeat
Review
- Select answers that are longer and more descriptive, for true answers usually contain more detail
- Formulate your own answer to a test question before reading the options. Then eliminate unlikely answers first.
- When writing an essay answer, paraphrase thhe original question to form your introductory statements and support your main idea with clear details
- Use a student planner to keep track of your assianments (& prioritize them)
- Set a specific time of the day to study in the same quiet place each day
- Plan ahead by working a little bit each day on long-term assignments
- Do not let yourself get distracted, keep the tv or radio off while studying.
(I used to actually listen to the radio while I studied, I found it relaxing & could drown out other noises)
- Leave all your work ready to be picked up easily in the morning.
(better idea, make sure its already in your bag in the morning, if you don't use some sort of book bag, double check all your books are together)
- Taking notes in class? Make sure they're in your own words
(or if you are able, highlight in the book)
- Keep all material, including a notebook or 2 in your study space.
- Does an assignment seem difficult? Read the directions aloud. If you still can't seem to get it read it to someone else.
- When taking a test, ignore everyoneelse in the class; Everyone works at a different pace.
- Always do your homework right away. Studies show that your best work is done right after your classes.
- Keep a positive attitude while taking a test. Coach yourself to think through& not panic over the more difficult questions
- healthy students need 6-8 hours of sleep and regular exercise
- The More senses (taste, hear, touch, smell, see you are able to use in studying the better (& more likely faster) You will absorb the inforation.
(think Chemistry class all the ones you use, or in a cooking class, maybe some sort of craft/design class.)
- Tips from Mead Five Star
Recommended binder
Bare essentials
Binder,Loose leaf paper to fill binder & Dividers to seperate the sections for each class or so you can not only section it off per class but sub divide it to notes, Classwork, & Homework evens reports/essays etc
Class notebook
Sometimes its best to have more than one notebook for class notes, homework and a separate one for your studies (say for additional information) Especially if your teacher may take them from you.
I had one that would check them out after a week or month.
Some teachers will sometimes want a 3 or more 'subject' notebook for just their class to cover the various areas of the subject and it's subtopics.
Likely you will also need a pencil case.
Pencils, Sharpener (unless you use a mechanical) highlighters and white out (tape. The tape kind is neater and doesn't make a mess like the others do)
Pencil pouches can be used for other things as well. Cosmetic cases, travel storage and so on.
I highly suggest using the tape whiteout instead of liquid as that can make your papers messy plus the tape covers easier, and is faster.
Basic Binder
Studying
Studying
Your input
The Most Important Thing
*Keep Calm
*Trust your instincts
*Plenty of rest
*Have some munchies water & sports drink near by
*Top Twelve Dorm Shopping Mistakes
Assignment books - & Planners
assignment books
write down your Homework/project
-assignment
-what page(s) to do and what the work is supose to be done and
-when its due.
You can also makes notes on something you did not understand with the assignment as well.
I've also seen some of the assignment books have where you keep track of your attendance as well as grades and a few other handy pages like conversions etc. But these are usually something you need to look for, in the store so you can skim through the pages and see if it is to your liking as well as uses.
Study Ideas - & Miscellany school supplies info
Where I note that using a certain item in a color like pens, pencils, markers & index card, this is a way to associate & organize your thoughts.
A certain color ink (say in history class) can be for a certain year, a certain color index card could be a certain topic in the class like say Blue would be U.S. History, Green for world events, & so on
Text books
Reference cards like those by quickstudy
marking Tabs Can be used as dividers, the ones I think of most are the Avery brand which can also be written on as well.
Video when available look up on You tube & other sites like it for instructional videos on the subject you are studying. The best way to study is to use as many of your senses as you can. (Write it, Say it, See it, hear it)
Audio this you can do yourself. Do you have a digital (or tape) audio recorder?
Then you are good. Besides reading your notes over & over etc Read them into the voice recorder, (this works with pretty much anything)
Then while you are asleep, listen to the 'tape' (or upload the digital copy to your MP3 player) while you are sleeping
For the first video, you can also check out the 'interactive notebook" in the featured lenses
Ultimate Book report
Need help with writing your bookreport? Here I have a format (that can also be used as an outline) to follow & organize your notes for a book report? well here ya go! Just copy & paste the info you need into a word (or other word prossessor) file.
You can use one of the print-outs on here or you can see if there's anything you can use on my Creative Writing 101 page.
From here down to the first dotted line, is required feilds for Book Reports, after that anything else that says General should be in your report. There's also sections you can use for different types of genres. If there's anything on a report (or you child's report) that is needed please let me know so I can include it here.
Book Title_______________________________ by Author________________________
Publisher _________________________ Illustrator/Photographer _________________
Copyright date_________________ Number of Pages __________
Length of Time read Start date _______ Finished________
Type of Literature (Genre):
o Non-Fiction
[]Biography (autobio) [] Sports [] History []How-to []Informational/essay
o Fiction
[]Realistic Fiction [] Poetry []Historical []Fantasy []Sci-Fi []Horror [] Mystery / Crime
[] Folk Tales/Mythology []Romance []Thriller []Action/Adventure []Western {}Other______
General Overview of the Topic
WHO- Main Characters (& favorite)
What-
Setting- Where_______________________
When (story Dates) ______________________ ___________________________
Era- Bronze Age, Ming Dynasty, Renissace World War 2 etc) _______________________________________
did the story take place___________________________________
Why
How
Tone & Style
Point of View- First person or omniscient
Did the beginning grab you? (as in chapters 1-5)
Favorite Part of book _____________________________________________________
Book Evaluation (Like-loved) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Would you recommend to a friend? Yes No
Please explain Why or Why not? (at least a 5 line paragraph)
NEW Vocabulary- 3-5 words from book &define (esp. use those you had to look up)
Non-Fiction Topic _________________________________________
Summary of the Book - (Beginning middle & end)
5 Facts about the topic you found interesting
Write down Page number & describe two illustrations/photos from the book
1. Pages { } Description___________________
2. Pages { } Description___________________
Fiction
What were the main plot points
Main Conflict & Resolution
Story symbolism/message (lesson or central idea) -
Blurb- explains story without giving much away (found on back of the book or in book jacket)
Mystery/Crime-
Character Names
Description
Main Character
Minor Character
Suspect #1
Suspect #2
Main Problem (mystery in the story)
Secondary problem (if any)
Important Events
CLUES
Discovered by
Suspects
What were some of the clues to help solve the mystery & How was the mystery solved?
Were you surprised who did it?
Red Herrings? (distractions for person trying to solve mystery)
Informational Book-
What type of information is this book about?
Did you find the book interesting?
Write some interesting facts you learned
Auto/Biography
Subject's (full) name- (& Include a picture of the person)
Early Life
Date & Place of Birth
Family- Mother _______________ Father _________________&
Siblings ##___ & Names
Life Events- Early Life
School/College
Public Life
Adult life
Important Events (note at least 2)
Death date/Place & cause
How people felt about person at time of death.
Accomplishments
Quote
Personal information & Interesting Facts & Trivia
Date Page Number Important information Questions I have
In my Opinion
Why were they important
how is it the world different because the person lived?
The most interesting things about this person
3 adjectives that describe this person
-
General End (all reports)
*Important Reference sources & pages
it is also a good idea to include a
Timeline (best used for Biographies, Historyreports & mystery/crime novels )
You can make a 'BOX' line or a 'string' line timeline. (Here are a couple of examples of what I mean)
Sample of Box line ~*~ Sample of a 'String' timeline
Here are samples of a few Types I can think of.
Horizontal 6 event ~*~ Vertical p to 9 events ~*~ from iWorks ~*~ ~*~ Bubble Line ~*~
~*~ Vertical Line timeline ~*~ Display/Photo timeline ~*~ Graph Timeline ~*~ Timeline 'Tree' ~*~
I think that last one makes it all the different types I can think of in ways to do it. So pick one you like the way it looks best (or maybe you can make a hybrid of 2 or 3.) Good luck
just remember if you think of another way, use that being creative is the best way to get those A's for Awesome!
For the College Bound - College Comparison chart
Dissertation Outline proposal - Check my Creative writing 101 for more
if I do not have what you need on here, please check out the other pages below on Creative writing 101, No Bummer Season Reader, etc. I may have what you are looking for on there
Term Paper Guidelines
Term Paper Guidelines
(taken from my Creative writing 101 lens)
Topic Selection
Choose a topic for the paper.
Submit your topic idea on a piece of paper in the form of a question.Once you have chosen the topic, it may be modified but not changed completely. Do some preliminatry reserach first to be sure if there is enough of information on your topic (or too much?) Are there enough quality sources available., are you able to answer thequestion you have posed. Can the topic question be interpreted in more the the one way or merely require you to jsut recite the facts?
Initial bibliography at least _______substantional and varied sources of information.
Thi sis to be typed in whatever format specified. This may expand more as your research develops. At no time should you have fewer than _________reseources.
Annotated bibliography & notes
Complete & annotated bibliography for each source you use as well as taking notes electronically (like a word document) For each source you need to include the bibliographical information. The notece should show the evidence of the material you engaged yourself with by paraphrasing, labeling highlighting and including margin notes.
Outline
l. Thesis statement (the answer to your question)
...a. Main idea
.............1 \
.............2 Developing idea
.............3 /
b.Main idea
1 \
2 Developing idea
3 /
. Main idea
1 \
2 Developing idea
3 /
Rough Draft- first draft of the final paper mistakes noted on this are to be corrected for the final paper Number of pages___________
Final Paper This should be the utmost best quality of all your work NO MISTAKES whatsoever in spelling grammar or research.
other notes & questions to guide you
Search stage
What are the possibilities
What do I think
Why
Test Stage 1 How sound is the reasoning
What needs to be known
what evidence is relevant
are the likely consequences acceptable
the the objections answerable
does the solution stand the test of consistency
Test stage 2 Is proper respect for human beings evident
are rights resepcted and responsibilities observed
How would I like to be treated this way
would it be acceptable for everyone to do this or be treated this way
test stage 3 IS the solution realistic
are adequesdt resources available
does this solution expect too much of people
Thesis Proposal & Essay Oultline
Theseis proposal
Thesis Topic
Name of the University
Course persued
Batch Number
Roll Number
Name of the Dept.
Name of Surpervisor or Professor
Introduction of the Topic (2 lines)
Background of the Thesis (3 lines)
The Process of Justifying the Topic
Colclusion of the topic
The various chapters and parts the thesis are divided into
{The basic Requirements for the research work}
Acknowledgements
Report Card
Romby on January 05, 2015:
Articles like this really grease the shafts of knldweoge.
Kim (author) from Yonkers, NY on August 14, 2012:
@Deadicated LM: Thank you. I was never the best studier to me it was watch tv listen to radio & do homework all at once, & I'd study right before bed in hopes it would stick better. lol but to me the more senses you are able to use in studying something, the bestter your chances in doing well!
Deadicated LM on August 13, 2012:
Cool Lens Kim; I know I'll put the information to good use, there's always something to learn when you're a NYC Tour Guide.
Kim (author) from Yonkers, NY on January 31, 2012:
@LabKittyDesign: THANK YOU!! I'll post yours to my featured lenses (if I haven't already)
If you are intrested you can also include my Epic Ballad of Poetry (as I've been told its a great resource, Plus i also have some creative writing stuff on there) I also have a Reading lens that might have some odds & ends on it. (looking on suggestions for the Classic Books Shakespear, Catcherin the rye & that type stuff. WOuld love input thank you again!
LabKittyDesign on January 30, 2012:
Added you as a related lens on our tips for college lens. Cheers!
