Study Strategies: To Use or Not?

Study Strategies: To Use or Not?

When and where is a student most productive when using study strategies? Are these strategies helpful? I asked myself these questions! Knowing my intellectual proclivities and habits helps me to appropriate my time more effectively and to be more productive overall. After eighteen years of being out of school, I decided to enroll in college giving it a try. Although I was not a very good student, I have really enjoyed college. I have learned that I am a visual and auditory learner. Starting a project often proves the hardest part; starting early gets me over this high hurdle with plenty of time to develop my work. By using these three strategies: studying with a partner, taking notes, and trying flashcards new strategies, I will explain how they have helped me in becoming an A student.

The first study strategy is studying with a partner. My first semester in college a student said, "The most effective way to learn is to teach." Therefore, I use my children to study for an exam and to read my paper out loud. I explain what I have been studying to one of my children or read my essay paper out loud. I transfer the information from short- to long-term memory, and I will more clearly see what I understand and what I don't. By reading my essay papers to them helps me hear myself and also they will give me advice if sounds good but needs work. This first strategy has helped me to determine if my essay is concise and clear. I used this strategy in my TECA & CDEC classes. By partnering with another classmate I was able to make good grades and to get on the A honor roll.

The second study strategy, is taking good notes during lectures. This has been an extraordinary tool for me to review for a test and to write an essay. Therefore, I focus on the main ideas, themes, and concepts, taking down only those details, examples, illustrations, or formulas that will help me to remember the central points of the lecture. When I do not understand a section or part of a lecture, I write a question mark on the left-hand margin that indicates that I need to do further investigation on this section of my notes, either on my own or by asking my instructor during office hours. I review my notes each day after class and write on the left-hand margin to annotate my notes indicating key terms, concepts, dates, and any other important information that will help me review for exams or write an essay paper. This strategy gives me the chance to organize my thoughts. This strategy has proven to be successful in writing essays for English and Speech and helps me to feel more successful.

My third study strategy is flashcards. When making the cards I use a 4×4 index cards. On one side I write the word or question that I need to learn in class. On the other side I write the definition or answer for the question or word on the front of the card. This way I can separate