IN THE CLASSROOM

TAKING NOTES:

*BASICS

Clear, concise notes are more effective than copious notes.

Instead of using a spiral, use a loose-leaf notebook divided into class sections.

Make all notes on loose-leaf paper. In an upper corner title and date each sheet as you us it.

Rewrite and combine your old study and lecture notes into a new single set of notes or outline. Use them as a replacement for your old notes in the loose-leaf binder.

This gives you complete control of and fast access to a crucial part of the learning process- your course notes- their organization, additions, replacements and rewrites thereof!!

*LECTURE NOTES

Sit near the front of the class to avoid distractions.

Be a good listener- focus and concentrate on the main points of the lecture.

Get them down on paper. You'll put them into your own words later along with your study notes. Pay attention to the instructor's clues as to what is important.

If there is something you do not understand, ASK!

Immediately after a lecture, without looking at your notes, try to recall on a separate paper as much as you can about what you have heard and learned. Then review your actual lecture notes to confirm and/or supplement your memory.

During your next study session, quickly recall again on paper what you learned. Then review and reorganize your lecture notes in your own words.

Repeat the recall process several times over several days to commit the new information to memory.

Your listening skills, note taking and ability to manage your sessions, will be prime determinate of your success in high school and beyond.

STUDY STRATEGIES

TIME MANAGEMENT:

*LEARN TO SAY NO!!!
Saying no to partying, movies, etc. does not make you a terrible person.

*DO NOT STUDY FOR MORE THAN 2 HOURS AT A TIME.
Your brain really does shut down and any studying you do after that point is not as beneficial.

*USE TRAVEL TIME TO STUDY.
Pop a study or lecture tape into your car's cassette player; put on earphones if you ride the train or car pool. If you use a laundromat, listen to study tapes while your clothes spin and dry.

*TRY TO STUDY DURING DAYLIGHT HOURS.
Natural light really is more conductive to learning.

*PRIORITIZE.
Daily list what you need to study, prioritize and set times for each item, and stick to it.