2. SQ3R Reading Strategy

SQ3R reading strategy is a five step plan to improve your study skills. SQ3R stands for:

Survey - Observe the layout of the chapter and get an idea of how it is constructed. Focus on the titles, subtitles, and graphics. This should give you a mental note of the overall layout.

Question - Write down some questions that address the chapter titles. The questions should be answered with the information from the text.

Read - Begin to do the actual reading. This will give you a deeper understanding of the text. While reading, keep in mind the questions you have to answer and look out for the answers. Write down additional sample questions if you feel need to.

Recite - When you reach the end of a particular passage, quiz yourself on the questions you’ve written down. This will show you if you know the material well enough and if you understood what you have read.

Review - For best results, try to review the material the next day. Go back to the same questions and try to answer them without reading through the material again. If you find yourself struggling to answer the questions, go back through all of the steps above.

I have tried this strategy and I found it very helpful. However, it is quit time consuming so I do recommend that you give yourself plenty of time to go through it. On the positive side I did find myself learning a lot more than I usually did when I used to just read through a text.

9. Time Management

Within the first few days of starting college, many of us students realise that managing our time is one of the most challenging and difficult aspects of being in college. With so much to do and keep track of, it seems that there just isn't enough hours in the day. We then find ourselves falling behind on some tasks more than others. Time management can truly guide students to a successful and task full week. The first step of time management is to analyse how you actually spend your time so you can determine what changes you want to make. I made a timetable for my entire week to acknowledge what I needed to change.

Some time management strategies that I used are:

• Prioritise- avoid time wasting
• Be specific- make the tasks specific as possible
• Break the task into bite-size chunks
• Use all available time
• Structure the environment- identify a place you are happy with and  can actually get work done with little distractions
• Establish a routine

Many people mistake time tracking for time management. But, keeping track of how you spend your time isn’t time management. Time management is about making changes to the way you spend your time. However, we need to keep in mind that no matter how organised we are, there will always only be 24 hours in a day and 168 in a week. Even though sometimes it doesn’t seem to be enough we just need to be wise with how we spend our time.

Remember a balance of having fun, studying and taking breaks is vital!

10. Effective Revision/ Exam Techniques

We have all had to do some sort of exam at some stage in our lives. There are many of us that leave the revision to the very last minute. We get stressed out and always say ‘next time I’ll do it differently’, but how many of us stick to that?

In order to have effective revision it is handy to set out goals. This should give motivation to revise! Making a timetable for revision is a key component to effective revision. However, this doesn’t work if you only decide to start studying the night before. Give yourself plenty of time. This will in turn cut down your stress levels by far.

Try some different techniques to see which suits you. Using a variety will keep up your interest and let your brain learn in different ways, although it’s probably better to avoid new techniques too close to the exam.

Remember your aim is to get to grips with important aspects of your subjects. Try to divide the materials into topics, themes or ideas that you can learn separately before linking them together.

I personally find that it helps when I get someone else to help me. It can get boring, but as the saying goes – practice makes perfect!

For the exam itself make sure you bring everything that you need. Nothing is more stressful than forgetting to bring a pen that works! Make sure you give yourself plenty of time before the exam starts to compile yourself and your thought.

For more information on effective revision and exam techniques visit some of these sites:

• http://www.palgrave.com/skills4study/studyskills/exams/revision.asp
• http://www.palgrave.com/skills4study/studyskills/exams/techniques.asp
• http://www.happychild.org.uk/acc/tpr/features/0210exam.htm

Good luck everyone!

1. Effective Note Taking

Don't make it stressful!

Note taking is one of those things that do not come naturally to people. It’s a skill that needs to be learnt and unfortunately note taking isn’t always thought in schools. One of the reasons people have trouble taking effective notes is that they don’t really know what the notes are for. Notes are there to help you study better and more quickly.

There are different ways for effective note taking. What I did to find the best way of note taking for me was testing  different type of note taking and once I found the best technique that works for me I applied it to all of my lectures.
I find mind mapping very useful. It’s a great way to visualise all of that important information that you need for an exam. Here’s a video that shows you exactly what mind mapping is and how it works.

Some great tips for note taking:

• Be organised - make sure you have all that you need before going to the lecture
• Make your notes colourful - notes don't have to be boring
• Use pictures and symbols - some find it easier to remember drawing rather than writing
• Don't take down every word that's said
• Don't write full sentences
• Concentrate on the main idea
• Have separate folders for each subject for your notes

Remember guys different things work for different people. Make sure you find your own technique.

4. Effective Presentations

Every time I hear the word presentation, panic sets in! The fact is that for most people getting up and presenting in front of an audience can be a terrifying and even phobic experience. There are several key components that make an effective presentation. It's very important to be prepared and organised before any presentation.

Here is a list of some key things to keep in mind when preparing for a presentation:

·    Know your subject matter – the ability to present a subject with confidence directly affects your audience’s impressions and will help keep their attention.

·    Know your audience – a small amount of research into the makeup of your audience will have great benefits on presentation day.

·    Know yourself (and your limits) – don’t be something that you’re not. Doing a presentation is nerve wrecking itself, but trying to act like someone that you’re not is a potion for disaster!

·    Keep eye contact with the audience – never single out a member of the audience.

·    Add video, audio, pictures and colour to your presentation - make it attractive

·    Show your interest to the topic

·    Don’t forget to smile – it takes fewer muscles in the face to smile than it does to frown!

Here is a video that, in my opinion, makes presenting less terrifying!   

                                                           

Every time you have to present you have the opportunity to make a powerful and memorable impact, so take that opportunity and make the most of it! I really hope that some of these tips will guide you to your successful presentation.