College Study Skills Becoming a Strategic Learner

by Van Blerkom, Dianna L.

• ISBN13: 9780534645403
• ISBN10: 0534645402
• Edition: 5th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-03-30
• Publisher: Wadsworth Publishing

Summary

This comprehensive text/workbook strives to get the student involved with the learning process and helps the student learn how to learn. Students are exposed to different strategies and are encouraged to find the strategies that complement their own learning styles. Chapters such as getting ready to learn, setting goals, organizing text information and preparing for essay exams are examples of material that will help students adjust to the new environment of college learning. All chapters provide useful self-assessment tools and examples to help students become more active learners.

Table of Contents

Activities Contents	xix
To the Instructor	xxv
To the Student	xxxiii
Getting Ready to Learn	1	(28)
Characteristics of Successful Students	2	(1)
Becoming an Active Learner	2	(1)
Becoming a Strategic Learner	3	(1)
Use Learning Styles to Enhance Performance	3	(11)
What Are Learning Styles?	6	(1)
Characteristics of Learning Modalities	7	(5)
Why Your Learning Style Is Important	12	(2)
Get Motivated to Learn	14	(6)
Factors That Influence Motivation	15	(1)
Strategies to Increase Motivation	16	(1)
Getting Your Money's Worth	17	(1)
Work Hard to Get Your Money's Worth	17	(1)
Increase Your Level of Interaction	18	(1)
Why Are You in College?	19	(1)
Make the Transition to Learn	20	(5)
Balancing School, Home, and Work Responsibilities	20	(1)
Accepting New Responsibilities	21	(1)
Improving Your Academic Standing	21	(1)
Avoiding Plagiarism	22	(1)
Managing Stress	22	(1)
Decision Making And Problem Solving	23	(2)
Make the Most of Your College Resources	25	(2)
Getting to Know the Turf	25	(1)
Student Support Services	26	(1)
Your College Library	26	(1)
Your Professors	26	(1)
Your College Advisor	26	(1)
Summary	27	(1)
Review Questions	28	(1)
Goal Setting	29	(22)
What Are Goals?	30	(5)
Characteristics of Goals	31	(2)
Long- and Short-Term Goals	33	(1)
Academic and Personal Goals	33	(1)
Goal Setting Improves Performance	34	(1)
Setting Goals for the New Semester	35	(7)
Be Open to Change	35	(3)
Set Priorities for the First Three Weeks	38	(1)
Plan for Early Success	38	(1)
Plan Rewards	38	(1)
Consider Consequences	39	(1)
Learn How to Calculate Your GPA	40	(1)
Revise Your Goals Periodically	41	(1)
Writing Effective Goal Statements	42	(7)
Use the Five-Step Approach	42	(3)
Develop an Action Plan	45	(4)
Summary	49	(1)
Review Questions	49	(2)
Time Management	51	(38)
Analyze Your Use of Time	52	(16)
Why Is Time Management Important?	52	(1)
How Do You Use Your Time Now?	53	(7)
Identify Time Available For Study	60	(3)
Identify Time Needed For Study	63	(3)
Establish a New Time Plan	66	(1)
Reevaluate Your Time Plan	67	(1)
Organize Your Study Time	68	(8)
Create a Semester Assignment Calendar	68	(2)
Prepare Weekly Task Lists	70	(1)
Use Daily ``To Do'' Lists	70	(3)
Set Up Your Study Schedule	73	(3)
Managing Multiple Projects	76	(3)
Why Multiple Projects Cause Problems	76	(1)
How to Manage Multiple Projects	76	(3)
Use Time-Management Strategies to Stay Motivated	79	(3)
Study in One-Hour Blocks	79	(1)
Take Breaks	79	(1)
Tackle Difficult Assignments First	79	(2)
Switch Subjects	81	(1)
Break Tasks Down	81	(1)
Work Ahead	81	(1)
Plan Rewards	81	(1)
Reduce Your Procrastination	82	(4)
Main Causes of Procrastination	82	(1)
Other Reasons Why Students Procrastinate	82	(2)
Strategies for Overcoming Procrastination	84	(2)
Summary	86	(1)
Review Questions	86	(3)
Memory and Learning	89	(28)
Understanding Memory Processes	90	(5)
Information Processing Model	91	(4)
Why You Need Memory Strategies	95	(1)
Retrieval and Forgetting	95	(1)
General Memory Strategies	96	(2)
Spaced Practice	96	(1)
Break Tasks Down	97	(1)
Repetition	97	(1)
Overlearning	98	(1)
Specific Memory Strategies	98	(17)
Rehearsal Strategies	99	(1)
Elaboration Strategies	100	(8)
Organizational Strategies	108	(4)
Comprehension Monitoring Strategies	112	(1)
Affective and Motivational Strategies	113	(2)
Summary	115	(1)
Review Questions	115	(2)
Taking Lecture Notes	117	(30)
Why Take Lecture Notes?	118	(2)
Promotes Active Listening	119	(1)
Provides an Accurate Record of Information	119	(1)
Helps You Organize the Information	119	(1)
Provides Additional Repetition	120	(1)
How to Take Lecture Notes	120	(4)
Evaluate Your Note-Taking Skills	120	(1)
Prepare Before Taking Notes	121	(1)
Become an Active Listener	122	(2)
Use an Effective Note-Taking System	124	(12)
Three Note-Taking Systems	126	(6)
What to Include in Your Notes	132	(4)
How to Edit Your Notes	136	(5)
Fill in the Gaps	136	(1)
Check for Accuracy	136	(1)
Clarify Meaning	137	(1)
Rewrite to Improve Organization	138	(2)
Develop Recall Questions	140	(1)
How to Review Your Notes	141	(2)
When and Why You Should Review	142	(1)
Three Ways to Review	142	(1)
Summary	143	(1)
Review Questions	144	(3)
Improving Concentration	147	(22)
What is Concentration?	148	(5)
Three Levels of Concentration	149	(1)
The Concentration Cycle	150	(1)
Types of Concentration	151	(2)
Causes of Poor Concentration	153	(4)
Concentration Problems During Lecture Classes	154	(1)
Concentration Problems When You Read Your Text	155	(1)
Concentration Problems When You Study for Exams	156	(1)
Strategies for Improving Concentration	157	(9)
Use Motivational and Organizational Strategies	157	(1)
Create a Positive Learning Environment	158	(1)
Deal with Internal Distractions	159	(2)
Use Active Learning Strategies	161	(2)
Match Your Learning Style to the Task	163	(1)
Monitor Your Concentration	164	(2)
Benefits of Improved Concentration	166	(1)
Summary	166	(1)
Review Questions	167	(2)
Reading Your Textbook	169	(22)
General Strategies for Reading College Textbooks	170	(4)
Buy Your Textbook Early	171	(1)
Preview Your Textbooks	172	(1)
Read the Chapter Before the Lecture	173	(1)
Read Ten Pages at a Time	173	(1)
Monitor Your Comprehension	174	(1)
Become a Critical Reader	174	(3)
What Is Critical Reading?	174	(1)
Understanding Critical Reading Skills	175	(2)
Use a Text Reading/Study System	177	(12)
The P2R Reading/Study System	177	(3)
The SQ3R Reading/Study System	180	(6)
The S-RUN-R Reading/Study System	186	(3)
Summary	189	(1)
Review Questions	190	(1)
Marking Your Textbook	191	(28)
Why Should You Mark Your Text?	192	(1)
Promotes Active Reading	193	(1)
Condenses the Material	193	(1)
Increases Comprehension	193	(1)
Serves as a Comprehension Monitoring System	193	(1)
How Should You Mark Your Text?	193	(6)
Highlight	194	(1)
Underline	195	(1)
Make Marginal Notes	195	(1)
Avoid Complex Marking Systems	196	(3)
What Should You Mark?	199	(3)
Mark Headings	199	(1)
Mark Main Ideas	199	(2)
Focus on Supporting Details	201	(1)
How Much Should You Mark?	202	(4)
Avoid Undermarking	203	(1)
Avoid Overmarking	203	(3)
How to Review Your Text Marking	206	(3)
Re-mark Your Text	206	(1)
Take Notes on Your Marking	207	(1)
Predict Questions	208	(1)
How to Evaluate Your Text Marking	209	(7)
Be Sure Your Marking Makes Sense	210	(3)
Get Feedback on Your Marking	213	(1)
Test Your Marking After an Exam	213	(3)
Summary	216	(1)
Review Questions	216	(3)
Organizing Text Information	219	(30)
Why You Need to Organize Text Information	220	(8)
Some Texts Lack Subheadings	221	(2)
Some Texts Include Details Under Multiple Headings	223	(1)
Some Material Is Better Organized with Graphic Displays	223	(5)
When to Take Text Notes	228	(1)
As You Read the Chapter	229	(1)
After the Lecture	229	(1)
When You Prepare for the Exam	229	(1)
How to Take Text Notes	229	(14)
Take Written Notes	230	(6)
Create Concept Maps	236	(5)
Create Charts	241	(2)
How to Review Your Text Notes	243	(3)
Recite Your Notes	243	(1)
Replicate Your Notes	244	(1)
Add Recall Questions	244	(2)
Summary	246	(1)
Review Questions	246	(3)
Preparing for Exams	249	(30)
Gather Information Before You Study	250	(3)
Learn About the Exam	250	(1)
Levels of Questions	251	(2)
Learn About Yourself	253	(1)
Use the Five-Day Study Plan	253	(6)
Increase Your Study Time	254	(1)
Space Your Study	254	(1)
Divide the Material	254	(2)
Plan Active Study Tasks	256	(3)
Monitor Your Learning	259	(1)
Use Active Study Strategies	259	(16)
Condense Your Text and Notes	260	(2)
Prepare Word Cards	262	(2)
Make Question Cards	264	(3)
Create Study Sheets	267	(4)
Make Self-Tests	271	(3)
Use Recitation Strategies	274	(1)
Evaluate Your Preparation	275	(1)
Evaluate as You Prepare	275	(1)
Evaluate After You Complete Your Plan	275	(1)
Evaluate After the Exam	275	(1)
Summary	276	(1)
Review Questions	277	(2)
Taking Objective Tests	279	(30)
Reduce Test Anxiety	280	(5)
What Is Test Anxiety?	281	(1)
What Causes Test Anxiety?	281	(1)
Is Test Anxiety Normal?	282	(1)
Coping with Test Anxiety	282	(3)
General Test-Taking Strategies	285	(7)
Follow Directions	285	(1)
Budget Your Time	286	(2)
Work Logically Through the Exam	288	(1)
Guess Strategically	289	(3)
Specific Test-Taking Strategies	292	(12)
Strategies for Multiple-Choice Tests	292	(5)
Strategies for True-False Tests	297	(2)
Strategies for Matching Tests	299	(3)
Strategies for Math Tests	302	(2)
Learning From Exams	304	(1)
Evaluate Your Preparation	304	(1)
Learn From Your Mistakes	304	(1)
Get Help Before the Next Exam	304	(1)
Summary	305	(1)
Review Questions	306	(3)
Preparing for Essay Tests	309	(24)
Predict Questions	310	(6)
Predict Extra Questions	311	(1)
Predict the Right Kinds of Questions	311	(1)
Predict Challenging Questions	311	(5)
Plan the Answers	316	(8)
Gather Information	316	(3)
Organize Information	319	(1)
Outline Your Answer	320	(4)
Practice the Answers	324	(5)
Practice Your Outline	324	(1)
Use Mnemonics to Aid Recall	325	(1)
Write Out Some Answers	326	(3)
Summary	329	(1)
Review Questions	330	(3)
Taking Essay Tests	333	(24)
How to Take an Essay Test	334	(9)
Read the Directions Carefully	334	(1)
Plan Before You Write	335	(3)
Write Your Answer	338	(5)
Factors That Influence Your Grade	343	(5)
Content	343	(2)
Organization	345	(2)
Format	347	(1)
Mechanics	347	(1)
Neatness	348	(1)
Strategies for Gaining More Points	348	(3)
Use the Exam as a Resource	349	(1)
Always Write Something	349	(1)
Leave Extra Space	349	(1)
What If You Run Out of Time?	350	(1)
Learning From Exams	351	(3)
What Can You Learn?	352	(1)
How to Evaluate Your Answer	352	(1)
Rewrite Your Answers for Comparison	352	(2)
Summary	354	(1)
Review Questions	354	(3)
Preparing for Final Exams	357	(28)
What are Final Exams?	358	(1)
How to Prepare for Final Exams	359	(11)
Manage Your Time Efficiently	360	(1)
Make Academics Your Top Priority	361	(2)
Set Priorities for Exams	363	(4)
Attend All Classes	367	(1)
Reduce Anxiety	367	(1)
Use Active Study Strategies	368	(1)
Stay Motivated	368	(1)
Work Hard During Each Exam	368	(1)
Monitor Your Progress	369	(1)
How to Set Up a Final Exam Plan	370	(6)
Make a Final Exam Plan	370	(1)
Set Up a Final Exam Planning Calendar	371	(5)
How to Prepare for Comprehensive Finals	376	(5)
Preparing for 25 Percent Comprehensive Finals	379	(1)
Preparing for Other Comprehensive Finals	380	(1)
Summary	381	(1)
Review Questions	382	(3)
Index	385