Preparation

Schedule time for your homework or studying. Then find a quiet place with

• No distractions.
• No music, radio or television.
• Good overhead lighting.
• A firm chair and desk or table.

Listen to the teachers' instructions carefully so you will know:

• What you are going to do
• When you are going to hand in the assignment
• Where you are going to get information
• How you are going to write and complete the project

Note-Taking for Study

Note taking is a helpful study tool. It is a vital technique to ensure success.

While taking notes you don’t have to write information in complete sentences. Key words and phrases will be enough to take effective notes as long as they express the subject matter.

Taking notes effectively will help you to be clear and organized. Notes will help you remember information over a long period of time. To take good notes you have to concentrate, organize information, see relationship in materials, relate new information to old information, relate information to daily life and also you have to be able to decide what information is important and which is not. Finally, you have to be able to write meaningful notes of information.

Having clear, organized and meaningful notes will help you review and study easily and it will save you a great amount of time.

When you don't have homework it is still good to:

• Review your notes.
• Correct mistakes from previous homework.
• Read about your next topic or get ready to begin your next assignment.
• Read some of the additional topics that are suggested by your teacher.
• Review and drill formulae and tables in math and science.
• Make a study outline.

For successful studying follow these steps:

Get the main ideas: To get the main idea read the chapter headings, introductions, and summaries.

Ask Questions: Ask yourself questions that you hope to answer when you read.

Read: Read each of the sections and pick out the main points. Answer your question.

Record: Write down the key ideas in your own words.

Repeat: Cover your notes and try to remember the main points. While doing this you may use the key words you wrote before.

Review:Review your notes and repeat covering your notes and recalling the main points.

Tips on test taking:

When it is time to take a test everyone feels nervous about it. To ease your stress you have to:

• Get ready for the test. Study and know your material. Make sure to get enough sleep the night before the test.
• Bring the equipment that you need for the test such as pens, pencils, sharpener, eraser etc.
• Listen to the instructions carefully. Read the directions carefully. If you still have questions ask to make sure.
• Use your time wisely so you can complete all the questions.
• Start reading the questions. Answer the questions you know first.
• Try to answer all of the questions. You may guess if you don’t lose marks.
• Be aware of key words such as:
1. Discuss: Write in details.
2. Compare: Talk about similarities and differences.
3. Describe: Adjectives are the describing words. Use adjectives.
4. List: Give the main points.
5. Illustrate: Give examples.