Tracey's Study Strategies
Tips for Surviving the Academic Year
Tracey Kobayashi
50 Phelan Ave, NGYM
San Francisco, CA 94112
(415)452-7311
tkobayas@ccsf.edu
PE 9A: Fit or Fat
College & Career Ed
PE 50: Fitness Center
IM Me!
AIM - TKatCCSF
Yahoo - tkobico
ICQ - 155909399
These are my study survival tactics. Upon reading this, you will realize I'm no genius. However, many people often forget these common-sense rituals when the semester reaches the critical point of exam-cramming. Good Luck!
- First and foremost, know what kind of learner you are. If you're an aural learner, reading will only help you so much. If you don't know what kind of learner you are, use a variety of learning methods: reading; note-taking; discussion; using visual aids.
- Don't procrastinate and cram a full semester's worth of studying into the last few days before the final exam. Keep up in your classes and learn the base material so you can spend the last few weeks reviewing critical details.
- Study in short bouts, taking breaks every half hour or so to walk around, use the bathroom, or even vacuum the floor. Because of human attention span limits, study breaks aid concentration by diverting your attention from your work so it's easier to concentrate when you return to studying.
- Dedicate study time to studying. People are less efficient when they multi-task, so extraneous stimuli such as crying babies, televisions and jabbering friends increase learning time.
- If you have difficulty solving a particular problem, move on to something else or take a break. When you return to it later, you'll be able to tackle it from a fresh perspective.
- Speaking of different outlooks, study with one or more classmates. Sharing individual opinions and viewpoints enhances the learning process.
- Don't feel frustrated if you don't completely understand something. If everyone knew everything, we wouldn't be motivated to explore new views. See your studies as an opportunity to expand your knowledge and challenge your intellect.
- Do something physically active every day. I don't say this because I teach PE! I do, however, believe that spirit, mind and body work symbiotically. Activity alleviates bad stress by diverting attention from the stressors of school and work and giving the sympathetic response a physical outlet.
- Don't blow exams out of perspective. They are tools that test how much you learn, not evil entities that are out to get you. Approach your classes with a positive attitude toward learning, and good grades will follow.
- In opposition to the above, don't let your ideals completely interfere with promotion. I loathe people who use power to repress opinions contrary to their own, and I'm certainly no master of diplomacy, but I know the importance of tact. Sometimes it's better to hold your tongue. Not to say you should never challenge authority. Just choose your battles wisely.
No matter your course of study, you must communicate successfully to progress through school and career. Derek K. Miller is a writer and wordsmith with helpful tips for you to enhance your writing skills.