Tips For Success In College

How to Manage Your Time

• Develop a schedule-classes, study, work, leisure

• Prioritize your time – determine what is most important, prioritize and act

• Don’t procrastinate – do the most difficult and pressing task first

• Plan for uninterrupted time so you can concentrate

How to Comprehend Textbooks

• Survey the material first, reading title, subheads, illustrations, summary and questions

• Read the assignment, stopping after every paragraph or section to ask yourself what that section was about -  Say it out loud - Re-read that section if you can’t answer

How to Build Your Vocabulary

• While reading, try to guess the meanings of unfamiliar words, based on their usage in the sentence

• Use vocabulary cards:

-      Write the word you wish to learn on a 3x5 card

-      On the back of the card write a short definition    and a sentence containing the word

-      Carry the cards with you and review them daily. It takes a number of contacts with a word to make it your own

How to Take Notes

• Focus on the key points, rather than trying to write down every word the instructor says

• Add the details, diagrams, and examples that assist in better understanding the main points

• Use pen rather then pencil, it is easier to read

• Leave spaces between ideas-for easier reading as well as filling in ideas you may have missed

• Place the date at the top of your notes

• Use abbreviations

• Revise and review your notes as soon after class as possible

How to Remember

• Decide which information is important to remember

-      Highlight or underline important information in your texts

-      Take notes from lectures and films

• Organize information into categories

• Make information meaningful by associating it with what you already know

• Space periods of time for study-don’t do it all in one long session

How to Prepare for Tests

• Ask the instructor what materials will be covered on the tests (textbook chapters, lecture notes, handouts, previous exams, etc)

• Begin reviewing a week in advance-allot some time each day

• Organize review sessions so that there is enough time to cover everything

• Form objective tests from questions from notes and textbook markings

• For essay exams identify topics that may be included and write down all the key points about each topic

• Tips for taking tests:

-      Arrive on time

-      Pre-read the exam

-      Plan your time

-      Read directions carefully

-      Answer easy questions first, but leave nothing blank

-      Leave time after you are finished to go over the exam

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