360 English Class

When someone says she's studying, what does she mean? I've often wondered.  I have students who claim to study, but when I ask what they do to study, I receive vague responses:

    "Oh, I reviewed my notes and looked over the handouts, the night before." 

    "I read all the chapters I was supposed to read over the past couple months."

    "Well, I meant to study, but I sat in front of the t.v. with my book open."

So, what is studying? I mean, what should it look like? Real studying, the kind of studying that contributes to life-long learning and understanding is a habit, something that you develop over a period of time. Real studying is not the last minute cram you do before that big biology test on frog parts. 

Real studying is:

*taking responsibility for yourself. In order to be successful, you will have to make some important decisions about your priorities and your time.  Time is a finite resource. 

*deciding what is a priority and acting accordingly. Do not let others or other interests compromise your values and your goals. Real friends will help you achieve your goals, not compromise them. Real friends agree with and support your values.

*discovering places and times in which you can be at your most productive.  Most people figure out right away whether they are morning larks, night owls, or someone in between. Find spaces that are quiet and distraction-free.  You may have to leave your house and go to the library for this.

*looking for ways to constantly challenge yourself and further your knowledge independently. 

*taking good notes. Very few high school students arrive in college with good note-taking habits. Look at the College of DuPage's website for study skills and note-taking tips. Take good notes now and you will have greater success in your classes.

*understanding the material. If you don't understand something, don't simply re-read the material. Look for new ways to comprehend it. Is there a video or lecture on-line that diagrams or explains the material in a different way? Is there a teacher you can consult for extra help? Is there a tutoring center? Can the teacher of the course spend some time with you before or after school to help you out?

*utilizing multiple ways of accessing the material.  Don't just read. Use class discussions, group work, and even conversation as ways to comprehend material.

*keeping and organizing a central location for all notes, both in your notebook and on your computer, if you have one. It does no good to have pieces of paper all over the place or multiple notebooks with notes from a lecture here and there.  Keep everything in one spot from the beginning.  Be consistent.

*devoting a short time at the end of each week to review assignments and notes. Evaluate your progress.  Keep a learning log even if your teacher does not require you to do so.

*reviewing and organizing your notes each day, especially for your more challenging classes. Devote thirty minutes each day to this, even and especially when you don't have homework. Research has shown that reviewing new material within 24 hours of hearing it increases your retention of that material by about 60%. This means that you will be 60% ahead of the game the next time you walk into class. If you want to significantly reduce the time necessary to prepare for exams, this is the way to do it.

*translating and transferring what you have learned into your own words and examples. Simply rewriting the teacher's definition does no good if you don't understand it. Paraphrase and rewrite examples. Make the material your own.

*marking what you do not understand in your notes and then seeking help from the teacher, a fellow student, the book, and/or a website.

*celebrating your new understandings and successes.