Memory strategies

Some useful strategies include:

1. Putting the information to music. Try singing it.
2. Using colour. Colour code information, or use different highlighter pens for different purposes.
3. Walking to new places as you try to remember something.
4. Linking the information to other things that are relevant to you.
5. Working with the information: write it out, say it, draw it, colour it in, discuss it, argue against it, summarise it, organise it into the best order.
6. Numbering the different aspects.
7. Organising the information into a smaller number of pieces, each with its own heading, name or label.
8. Finding out something else about it.
9. Remembering things in groups of three or five items.
10. Using several of these approaches for the same item.

Activity
Select something that you find difficult to remember. Choose at least two ways of remembering this from the ‘useful memory strategies’ list. If this works, you have gained a memory strategy. If not, try again with different strategies. Note which ones work best for you.

Reflection

• What use would it be for you to improve your memory?
• What could you do to improve your own memory?

Palgrave: Study Skills as before.

Independent study

Self management

In general, you are expected to organise and manage your own study more as you get older. You will have more responsibility for your own success.

Taking control

Advice and guidance is always available, but it is up to you to use it. Use the lesson well,  ask for help if you need if, but be specific about what you don't understand. This indicates  your teacher that you have broken the problem down – that you have shown resilience, and you know exactly what your issue is.

Interdependence and sharing

In the future, both at university and in the work place, people skills will be important to your success. In particular, collaborative working is important.

You can start this now.  Form subject study group - use the rooms in the Learning Centre. You will have a responsibility to share the graft of researching issues and topics. You then need to share your results.

Sometimes this means working on your bit, sometimes it means working on the same complicated bits as others so you can work out how something works together in a group discussion.

Knowing the essentials

Manage your deadlines. If you miss them you may be penalised, at university you will be!  Then it can mean resitting or resubmitting papers in the holiday, at additional cost.  He it means delayed feedback and delays in class progress.

Finding resources and support

You will be recommended books, equipment and sources of support. Look for blogs run by your subject, not just from this school, other schools have fantastice resources too. Don't spend ages searching for quick fixes though!

Keeping going

When you work on your own, it is important for you to stay focused and to maintain your own motivation. It is quite natural for motivation to change over time. This is not something to worry about - but it does require action. Most people find that it is useful to have the support of other people for this.

How to get good marks

Although there is no magic formula to get good marks, there are steps you should take to increase your chances.

Read questions very carefully

They contain the twists the assignment must address. You will only get high marks if you address that bit of the question. 

Find out the conventions

Each subject works to a set of conventions or 'rules' - often this is the unwritten code.  If you struggle to understand these, get model answers to see what a good one looks like (WAGOLL). Discuss these with other students and your teacher.

Structure your writing

Make sure you follow the conventions for answering questions in your subject. 

Make sure that markers can follow your reasoning and can see how each example or bit of information adds to that line of reasoning.

Give evidence and a few good examples

Avoid opinions and feelings unless these are supported with evidence.  Choose a few good examples that illustrate the point, explain this carefully.

Reference your work

Make references to source materials within your own work. List of all references at the end of the work.

Proof-read

Proof your work for typing errors - spell check and grammar check are not infallible! 

Using feedback

Feedback is your main form of support from tutors. It is your best guide about what to do to improve your marks and your work more generally.

In the short term:
1. Read all feedback carefully - avoid the temptation to throw it away if your mark was bad or if you have finished the topic.

2. Put the feedback away for a day or two and then go through it again.

3. Make sense of what is said. Work out why your tutors gave you the feedback they did. If you really don’t understand it, make an appointment to discuss it - they will appreciate the enterprise.

4. Make a list of all the good points.

5. Identify the one or two main areas for improvement that will have the most impact on your marks.

6. Make a clear plan for how you will make use of feedback.

In the longer term:

1. Keep your feedback in one folder.

2. When you have several pieces of feedback, read through them and jot down a list of the main points that are made on each.

3. Look out for recurring themes. These are things which are either gaining or losing you marks regularly.

4. Make sure you recognise your strengths so that you do not lose these.

5. Identify one or two areas for improvement. If you do not know how to address these on your own or with a study skills book, speak to your tutor or to student support staff.

Adapted from the Study Skills Handbook, by Stella Cottrell:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/Study-Skills-Handbook-Palgrave/dp/0230573053/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1292054289&sr=8-1

Effective Study Strategies

We can all improve the conditions for learning by being aware of some of the ways the brain works. The brain works best when:

• it is rested
  it is hydrated
• it is unstressed
• it is stimulated
• it has seen something several times

General tips

It is possible to gain better marks by studying more effectively rather than for longer. Most of this resource looks at ways of studying in more effective ways. To study effectively, you can:

• Identify what is really needed
  Study assignment titles carefully. Work out exactly what is required for assignments. Time spent in preparation is well spent.
• Work strategically
  Set yourself clear goals and work towards these.
• Make the material meaningful
  Looking for 'the meaning' or how things work, rather than focusing on remembering information. If you develop your understanding of the subject, it will help you to take in new material more easily.
• Look for links
  Be active in searching out links between different aspects of the programme. Look also for links between what you are learning and the wider world. This helps to develop understanding and memory.
• Form study groups
  Work with other students so that you share ideas and gain mutual support.
• Set yourself SMART-F targets
  Targets should be:
  • strategic : they assist you to achieve your goals
  • measurable: you can tell when you have completed them
  • achievable: you are likely to succeed in meeting them
  • realistic: they fit the circumstances
  • time-bound: you have a set time to meet
  
  
  
  • flexible: you can adapt them if the circumstances change
• Look for short-cuts
  Use short-cuts that do not compromise your studies. For example:
  • use abbreviations in your notes
  • write assignments straight onto a computer rather than writing them typing them up
  • focus your notes around themes and questions rather than making long notes
• Use a word or time limit to focus your energies
• Take care of yourself

Adapted from the Study Skills Handbook, by Stella Cottrell:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Study-Skills-Handbook-Palgrave/dp/0230573053/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1292054289&sr=8-1

R E V I S I O N

Revise actively - mindmap; key points; and identify issues for analysis.

• Don't forget that the best scores in examinations are delivered by students who de-code the examination command words. 
• Make sure that you answer all parts of the questions, implicit and explicit.
• When asked for an opinion, ensure that you have pointed out the strengths and weaknesses on both sides AND expressed your opinion AND justified this (n.b. without re-stating your analysis)

Different Reading Styles

To become an efficient reader, you need to know how to select and use the reading style that is consistent with your purpose for reading. 

There are three important reading styles you should learn to use. Knowing when and how to use these three reading styles will make you a more efficient learner.

1.  Study Reading is the reading style used by flexible readers when their purpose is to read difficult material at a high level of comprehension. When using the Study Reading style, you will read at a rate that is slower than your normal reading rate.

You should take notes as you go, and record confusions to check later.


2.  Skimming is the reading style used to quickly obtain a general idea about the reading material. The Skimming style is most useful when you have to read a large amount of material in a short amount of time.

When using the Skimming style, you should identify the main ideas in each paragraph and ignore the details in supportive sentences - often this means reading the start and end of paragraphs and the introduction and conclusion to chapters.


3.  Scanning is the reading style used by flexible readers when their purpose is to quickly locate a specific piece of information within reading material. The piece of information to be located may be contained in a list of names, words, numbers, short statements, and sometimes even in a paragraph.

Since you know exactly what you are looking for, move your eyes quickly over the reading material until you locate the specific piece of information you need to find.

Now you try something new:

1. Before you begin your next essay / reading assignment identify your purpose for reading. 
2. Decide if you are:

• reading for a high level of comprehension, 
• trying to get a general idea about what you are reading, or  
• looking for specific information. 

    3.  Then use the reading style that is appropriate for your reading purpose.

Stolen and adapted from:  http://www.how-to-study.com/study-skills/en/studying/33/becoming-a-flexible-reader/

Active Listening in Class

It is important for you to be an active listener in class. Although many teachers are trying to reduce the lecturing element of their lessons, you still need to listen in parts of lessons.

It is important to do something to keep you engaged during these times - just hearing what your teachers say is not the same as listening to what they say - listening is a cognitive act that requires you to pay attention and think about, and mentally process what you hear.

Here are some things you should do to be a  efficient listener in class:

Preparation

• Be cognitively ready to listen when you come to classes - make sure you complete all assigned work and readings - it is amaking how much more engaged you become!
• Review your notes from previous class sessions. 
• Think about what you know about the topic that will be covered in class that session.

Emotionally ready

• Be emotionally ready to listen when you come to your class. 
• Your attitude is important.Be committed to learning all that you can.
• Your teacher should tell you what the purpose of the lecture is, listen with for this purpose.  

Active Listening

Dull Teaching...

• Efficient listening means actively listening. You can think faster than your teacher can speak. Use this to your advantage by evaluating what is being said and trying to anticipate what will be said next. 
• Take written notes. You cannot write faster than your teacher can speak so this requires you to make decisions about what to write - focus on key points, concepts, principles and examples - you can review these later.
• Meet the Challenge - don't give up and stop listening when you find the information being presented difficult to understand - listen even more carefully.
• Ask questions - but be curteous when doing so, try not to interupt at will!
• Triumph Over the Environment - classroom may too noisy, too hot, too cold, too bright, or too dark. 

 Lifted and then adapted from http: //www.how-to-study.com/