Reading Skills
Introduction
Pile of BooksReading is a skill that we take for granted. We assume that if we are capable of reading, then reading tasks should be easy to complete. At university, reading is not a passive activity. When reading at university, you will find that you must utilise other skills while reading, for example you may need to have an understanding of note taking skills. This help sheet introduces you to ways that you can maximise a skill you already possess, in a way that makes the best use of your study time. Read the rest of this entry »
5 Why?
Copyrighted: MindTools
Quickly Getting to the Root of a Problem.
Why use the tool?
The 5 Whys is a simple problem-solving technique that helps users to get to the root of the problem quickly. Made popular in the 1970s by the Toyota Production System, the 5 Whys strategy involves looking at any problem and asking: “Why?” and “What caused this problem?” Read the rest of this entry »
Tips for Effective Studying
In order to excel in college, you must first learn how to study properly. Contrary to historical opinion, there are many effective ways to learn information; it is a question of figuring out what works for you. What type of studying best suits you? What time of day are you most efficient? What is the proper environment for you to study in? Before you can answer these questions, you have to do a little research. It takes an effort but the rewards are more than worth it. Read the rest of this entry »
Note taking skills
from lectures and readings
Introduction
When you are at university, the sheer amount of information that is delivered to you can be daunting and confusing. You may even think that you have to copy down everything you hear or read. When you are at a face-to-face lecture it is sometimes difficult to tell what is important and what is not. Distance learning students might feel the need to copy out fact after fact from readings and textbooks. When preparing for an exam or assignment, it is tempting to produce extensive notes on page after page of A4 paper. These methods of note taking are generally time consuming and ineffective and there is an easier way! Read the rest of this entry »
An example of linear notes
These linear notes are a summarised version of this study skills session.
General tips
- Read & listen critically
- Is it important?
- Is it relevant?
- Is it credible?
- Facts/Opinions/Examples
Skimming Tips
Recall how you find a name in a telephone book? You don’t read any more than necessary to find the name you seek. Notice that you go directly down a column of news. Maybe you use your finger to guide your eyes. This type of reading is usually called scanning. Skimming uses the same type of skill mechanically but a different skill mentally. In scanning, you know what you are looking for. In skimming you don’t. Read the rest of this entry »
Concentration Tips
The art or practice of concentration is to eliminate distraction and focus on the task at hand. If you find that you read through material and suddenly discover that you have no idea about what you’ve just read, or if you attend lectures and have difficulty paying attention to what is being said, these tips may help: Read the rest of this entry »
Note Taking Techniques
The most comprehensive note taking systems require attention on your part. You must be alert enough in class to take legible, meaningful notes. You can’t rely on “writing everything down” because a lot of information in a given lecture won’t help you actually learn the material. If you have problems determining the specific relevant points in a particular class, you can always ask the professor to clarify them for you. Read the rest of this entry »
How to manage your time?
By George Mason University
1. A Personal Time Survey
To begin managing your time you first need a clearer idea of how you now use your time. The Personal Time Survey will help you to estimate how much time you currently spend in typical activities. To get a more accurate estimate, you might keep track of how you spend your time for a week. This will help you get a better idea of how much time you need to prepare for each subject. It will also help you identify your time wasters. But for now complete the Personal Time Survey to get an estimate. The following survey shows the amount of time you spend on various activities. When taking the survey, estimate the amount of time spent on each item. Once you have this amount, multiply it by seven. This will give you the total time spent on the activity in one week. After each item’s weekly time has been calculated, add all these times for the grand total. Subtract this from 168, the total possible hours per week. Here We Go: Read the rest of this entry »
Time Management
Copyright – Counseling Services, State University of New York at Buffalo
Introduction
* There’s no such thing as time management! So why should you read the rest of this handout? Because there is such a thing as self management and that’s the key to making time your ally rather than your enemy. Read the rest of this entry »
