Keys to College Studying: Becoming a Lifelong Learner

by Carter, Carol; Bishop, Joyce; Kravits, Sarah Lyman

• ISBN13: 9780130304810
• ISBN10: 0130304816
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2002-01-01
• Publisher: Allyn & Bacon

Summary

For Study Skills and College Preparation courses. This new text, for 21st century students, presents a comprehensive treatment of study skills. This text has an innovative focus on lifelong learning and on how these skills will serve students in their careers. Keys to College Studying emphasizes personal learning styles and critical thinking. This coverage is unique to the study skills market.

Table of Contents

Preface	xi
Acknowledgments	xiii
PART I KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND PREPARATION	1	(116)
Where the Future Begins
Lifelong Learning	3	(22)
Reaching Your Potential in the Twenty-First Century
How Do You Become a Lifelong Learner?	4	(4)
Know Why Lifelong Learning Is Important	4	(1)
Develop and Maintain Flexibility	5	(2)
View Organizations as Learning Centers	7	(1)
How Do You Become a Strategic Learner?	8	(4)
Develop Strategic Skills and Attitudes	10	(1)
Examine Obstacles to Strategic Learning	11	(1)
How Can You Get Ready to Study?	12	(7)
Get Motivated	12	(1)
Make a Commitment	13	(1)
Be Responsible	14	(1)
Build Self-Esteem	14	(2)
Build Teamwork Skills	16	(1)
Embrace Change	17	(2)
Study Skills in Action	19	(6)
Learning Styles and Self-Awareness	25	(24)
Knowing Who You are and How You Learn
Is There One Best Way to Learn?	26	(1)
What Are the Benefits of Knowing Your Learning Style?	26	(3)
Study Benefits	27	(1)
Classroom Benefits	27	(2)
How Can You Discover Your Learning Style?	29	(10)
Multiple Intelligence Theory	30	(1)
Personality Spectrum	31	(1)
Using the Assessments	31	(6)
Perspective on Learning Style	37	(2)
How Will Knowing Your Learning Style Help You in Your Career?	39	(2)
Study Skills in Action	41	(8)
Goal Setting and Time Management	49	(32)
Mapping Your Course and Reducing Stress
How Do You Set and Achieve Goals?	50	(5)
Placing Goals in Time	50	(2)
Linking Goals with Values	52	(1)
Different Kinds of Goals	53	(2)
What Are Your Priorities?	55	(1)
How Can You Manage Your Time?	55	(9)
Building a Schedule	56	(4)
Taking Responsibility for How You Spend Your Time	60	(1)
Planning Strategically	61	(2)
Being Flexible	63	(1)
Why Is Procrastination a Problem?	64	(1)
How Can You Reduce Stress?	65	(8)
Goal: Stress Management and Mental Health	66	(1)
Goal: Physical Health	67	(2)
Goal: Use Your School's Resource Network to Reduce Stress	69	(4)
Study Skills in Action	73	(8)
Critical Thinking	81	(36)
Tapping the Power of Your Mind
What Is Critical Thinking?	82	(7)
Defining Critical Thinking	82	(1)
The Path of Critical Thinking	82	(2)
The Value of Critical Thinking	84	(1)
Learning How Your Mind Works	85	(4)
How Mind Actions Build Thinking Processes	89	(1)
How Does Critical Thinking Help You Solve Problems?	89	(3)
How Do You Construct and Evaluate Arguments?	92	(4)
Constructing an Argument	94	(1)
Evaluating an Argument	95	(1)
How Do You Think Logically?	96	(6)
Distinguishing Fact From Opinion	96	(4)
Identifying and Evaluating Assumptions	100	(2)
What Is Media Literacy?	102	(3)
Study Skills in Action	105	(6)
Skill Building, Chapters 1-4	111	(6)
PART II READING, REMEMBERING, AND UNDERSTANDING	117	(114)
Making Meaning from What You Learn
Reading Comprehension, Vocabulary, and Speed	119	(28)
Reading Faster and Understanding More
What Will Help You Understand What You Read?	120	(1)
How Can You Set the Stage for Reading?	121	(6)
Take an Active Approach to Difficult Texts	122	(1)
Choose the Right Setting	123	(1)
Define Your Purpose for Reading	123	(4)
How Do You Build a Better Vocabulary?	127	(6)
Analyze Word Parts	128	(1)
Use a Dictionary	129	(1)
Learn Common Foreign Words and Phrases	130	(1)
Use Memory Aids to Ensure Recall	130	(2)
Learn Specialized Vocabulary	132	(1)
How Can You Become Comfortable Reading American English?	133	(2)
Understanding American Slang	133	(1)
Understanding Commonly Used Initials	133	(2)
How Can You Increase Your Reading Speed?	135	(5)
Test Your Speed and Comprehension	135	(3)
Problems and Solutions for Slower Readers	138	(2)
Study Skills in Action	140	(7)
Mastering Content	147	(30)
Studying Textbooks, Technical Documents, and Literature
How Can SQ3R Help You Own What You Read?	148	(7)
Survey	149	(1)
Question	150	(1)
Read	151	(2)
Recite	153	(1)
Review	154	(1)
How Can You Respond Critically to What You Read?	155	(5)
Use SQ3R to ``Taste'' Reading Material	156	(1)
Ask Questions Based on the Mind Actions	156	(1)
Engage Critical-Thinking Processes	157	(2)
Be Media Literate	159	(1)
Seek Understanding	159	(1)
What Special Approaches Should You Take to Reading Literature?	160	(6)
Understanding Literary Elements	160	(5)
Using Critical Thinking to Evaluate Literature	165	(1)
How Will Reading Skills Help You in Your Career?	166	(3)
Strategies for Effective Reading at Work	166	(1)
Finding Sources of Work-Related Information	166	(3)
Study Skills in Action	169	(8)
Reading Visual Aids	177	(20)
Obtaining Data Through Visual Sources
What Are Visual Aids and How Are They Used?	178	(1)
How Do You Read a Table?	179	(3)
What Do Charts Show?	182	(4)
Understanding Pie Charts	182	(1)
Understanding Bar and Column Charts	182	(4)
Understanding Line Charts	186	(1)
What Are Other Types of Visual Aids?	186	(1)
How Do You Use Critical Thinking to Evaluate Visual Aids?	187	(3)
Study Skills in Action	190	(7)
Listening and Memory	197	(34)
Taking in and Remembering Information
How Can You Become a Better Listener?	198	(8)
Know the Stages of Listening	200	(1)
Manage Listening Challenges	201	(3)
Become an Active Listener	204	(1)
Make Strategic Use of Tape Recorders	205	(1)
How Does Memory Work?	206	(1)
How Can You Improve Your Memory?	207	(7)
Use Specific Memory Strategies	208	(5)
Use Critical Thinking	213	(1)
How Can You Use Mnemonic Devices to Boost Memory Power?	214	(5)
Create Visual Images and Associations	215	(2)
Create Acronyms	217	(1)
Use Songs or Rhymes	218	(1)
Study Skills in Action	219	(6)
Skill Building, Chapters 5-8	225	(6)
PART III NOTES, RESEARCH, AND WRITING	231	(90)
Interpreting and Expressing Ideas
Taking Lecture Notes	233	(26)
Recording the Ideas of Others
How Does Taking Notes Help You?	234	(1)
How Can You Make the Most of Class Notes?	235	(7)
Prepare to Take Class Notes	235	(1)
Record Information During Class	236	(3)
Review and Revise Your Notes	239	(3)
What Note-Taking System Should You Use?	242	(6)
Taking Notes in Outline Form	242	(2)
Using the Cornell Note-Taking System	244	(1)
Creating a Think Link	245	(2)
Other Visual Note-Taking Strategies	247	(1)
How Can You Write Faster When Taking Notes?	248	(3)
Study Skills in Action	251	(8)
Doing Library and Internet Research	259	(28)
Tapping into the World of Information
How Can You Make the Most of Your Library?	260	(3)
Start with a Road Map	260	(1)
Learn How to Conduct an Information Search	261	(2)
How Do You Use a Search Strategy to Conduct Research?	263	(8)
Use General Reference Works	263	(1)
Search Specialized Reference Works	264	(1)
Browse Through Books on Your Subject	265	(2)
Use Periodical Indexes to Search for Periodicals	267	(1)
Ask the Librarian	268	(1)
Use Critical Thinking to Evaluate Every Source	269	(2)
How Can You Do Research on the Internet?	271	(8)
The Basics	271	(1)
Search Directories and Search Engines	272	(2)
Non-Web Resources	274	(2)
Be a Critical Researcher	276	(3)
Study Skills in Action	279	(8)
Effective Writing	287	(34)
Communicating Your Message Through the Written Word
Why Does Good Writing Matter?	288	(1)
What Are the Elements of Effective Writing?	289	(2)
Writing Purpose	290	(1)
Knowing Your Audience	290	(1)
What Is the Writing Process?	291	(17)
Planning	291	(4)
Drafting	295	(6)
Revising	301	(3)
Editing	304	(4)
Study Skills in Action	308	(6)
Skill Building, Chapters 9-11	314	(7)
PART IV TESTING, TECHNOLOGY, AND COMPETENCY	321	(104)
Creating Your Future
Test Taking	323	(24)
Developing a Winning Strategy for Test Success
How Can Preparation Help Improve Test Scores?	324	(6)
Identify Test Type and Material Covered	324	(1)
Choose Study Materials	325	(1)
Create an Organized Study Plan and Schedule	325	(1)
Prepare Through Careful Review	326	(2)
Take a Pretest	328	(1)
Prepare Physically	329	(1)
Make the Most of Last-Minute Studying	329	(1)
How Can You Conquer Test Anxiety?	330	(2)
Prepare Effectively	330	(1)
Build a Positive Attitude	330	(1)
Test Anxiety and the Returning Student	331	(1)
How Can Studying with Others Help You Succeed?	332	(2)
Strategies for Study Group Success	333	(1)
Benefits of Working with Others	334	(1)
What General Strategies Can Help You Succeed on Tests?	334	(4)
Write Down Key Facts	334	(1)
Begin with an Overview of the Exam	335	(1)
Read Test Directions	335	(1)
Work from Easy to Hard	335	(1)
Watch the Clock	336	(1)
Master the Art of Intelligent Guessing	336	(1)
Follow Directions on Machine-Scored Tests	336	(1)
Use Critical Thinking to Avoid Errors	337	(1)
How Can You Learn From Test Mistakes?	338	(2)
Study Skills in Action	340	(7)
Showing What You Know	347	(26)
Taking Objective, Essay, and Oral Examinations
How Can You Master Objective Tests?	348	(5)
Multiple-Choice Questions	348	(2)
True-or-False Questions	350	(1)
Matching Questions	351	(1)
Fill-in-the-Blank Questions	352	(1)
How Can You Master Essay Questions?	353	(7)
Strategies for Answering Essay Questions	353	(2)
Why Good Writing Matters	355	(3)
The Writing Process During an Essay Test	358	(2)
How Can You Master Oral Exams?	360	(5)
Preparation Strategies	361	(1)
Practice Your Presentation	362	(1)
Be Prepared for Questions	362	(1)
Handling Your Nerves During an Exam	363	(2)
Study Skills in Action	365	(8)
Quantitative Learning	373	(26)
Becoming Comfortable with Math, Science, and Technology
Why Do You Need to be Able to Think Quantitatively?	374	(1)
How Can You Master Math Basics?	375	(9)
The Classroom	375	(1)
The Textbook	376	(1)
Studying and Homework	376	(1)
Word Problems	376	(8)
How Can You Overcome Math Anxiety?	384	(2)
What Techniques Will Improve Your Performance on Math Tests?	386	(1)
What Do Learning Math and Learning Science Have in Common?	387	(1)
What Basic Should You Know About Computers?	388	(4)
Word Processing	389	(1)
Databases and Spreadsheets	389	(1)
The Internet	389
E-mail	390	(1)
Study Skills in Action	392	(7)
Moving Ahead	399	(26)
Making Today's Study Skills the Foundation for Tomorrow's Success
Why Is College Just the Beginning of Lifelong Learning?	400	(1)
How Can You Adjust to Change?	401	(3)
Maintain Flexibility	401	(2)
Adjust Your Goals	403	(1)
What Will Help You Handle Success and Failure?	404	(5)
Dealing with Failure	404	(3)
Dealing with Success	407	(1)
Redefining Failure and Success: Learning Disabilities	407	(2)
How Can You Live Your Mission?	409	(4)
Live with Integrity	409	(1)
Create Personal Change	410	(1)
Broaden Your Perspective	411	(1)
Aim for Your Personal Best	411	(2)
Study Skills in Action	413	(6)
Skill Building, Chapters 12-15	419	(6)
Answer Key	425	(6)
Endnotes	431	(4)
Index	435	(7)
Other Titles of Interest	442

Excerpts

PREFACE STUDY SKILLS FOR LIFE Daniel B., an undergraduate student we know, was recently offered a summer internship in the global investment banking division of one of the country's largest financial institutions. Although the corporate recruiters thought he was highly qualified, Daniel doubted his own ability, worrying that as a liberal-arts major he lacked the basic knowledge and skills to succeed in a business setting. He had never worked with spreadsheets, graphed financial data, or spoken the specialized language of his business colleagues. While he was familiar with classic novels through his college literature courses, he knew little about capital markets and derivatives. He was so filled with self-doubt that he nearly rejected the internship offer. The company recruiters were well aware of Daniel's knowledge "deficits" when they offered him the position. However, from talking with references listed on his resume and with Daniel himself during the interview, they realized that he had a quick mind, superior critical-thinking and study skills, and a willingness to learn, all of which were reflected in excellent grades. They were convinced that he would be able to master everything he needed to know for the internship, especially since the program included a week of intensive training classes designed to get everyone up to speed. After a few weeks of hard work, Daniel acquired the skills he needed-and was now moving ahead of many of the other interns in his ability to analyze and apply complex business concepts to unique problem-solving situations. This true story defines the importance of having solid study and critical-thinking skills in the 21st century. It also illustrates the mission of the first edition of Keys To College Studying: Becoming a Lifelong Learner. Like Daniel, you may find yourself doubting your specific knowledge and skills when, for example, you change majors, get a new boss, or change careers. However, the study skills and critical-thinking skills that you learn in this book will help you succeed in college as they prepare you for the challenge of continuous learning throughout your career and life. Your Study-Skills Tool Bag: What's Important in This Book This text contains some essential elements that help you achieve diverse goals: STRATEGIES FOR SELF-MANAGEMENT.Before you can be a successful learner, you need to set the stage for learning in a way that maximizes your abilities. Part I helps you develop self-management through learning styles, self-awareness, goal setting, and time management. It also provides strategies for helping you become a critical thinker. Critical thinking will allow you to take your study skills to a higher level of achievement. CORE STUDY SKILLS FOR SCHOOL, WORK, AND LIFE.The text focuses on skills that will take you successfully through your classes-and beyond. Each skill is presented in comprehensive terms, showing you what you need to know in order to succeed in school as well as how you will use the skill in the working world and in your personal life. These skills include reading, listening, taking notes, memory, library and internet research, vocabulary building, writing, test taking, math and technology skills, and many more. TESTING-FOCUSED EXERCISES.At the end of each chapter and each part, a variety of exercises appear that are designed to reinforce knowledge and build test-taking skills. Included are: Multiple-choice, true/false, fill-in-the-blank, and matching questions A vocabulary-building exercise featuring challenging words from the current media Strategic thinking and teamwork exercises A Real-Life Approach to the Needs of Real-Life Students Keys to College Studyingacknowledges who you are right now and the stresses and pressures you may face. Acknowledging that each student is in a unique life situation, the text