STUDY SKILLS SEMINAR LEARNING INTENTION We are learning how to prepare successfully for our exams

STUDY SKILLS SEMINAR LEARNING INTENTION We are learning how to prepare successfully for our exams

SUCCESS CRITERIA OI can evaluate study techniques which may be appropriate to my learning style. OI can recognise the features of an effective study plan. OI can understand how to improve my exam technique.

Getting Ready O Study Environment O Setting Goals (S.M.A.R.T) O Know Your Learning Style

Your Learning Style - Auditory Auditory learners absorb information best by hearing it aloud. They do well with oral instructions and class discussions. O Have a study partner read your writing aloud to you while listening for mistakes or possible changes O Say sentences aloud before or during writing O Brainstorm into a tape recorder and play it back, stopping as you write O Orally work through steps of problems/assignments and instructions

Your Learning Style - Kinaesthetic O Kineasthetic learners understand and learn through the process of doing. O Use as many different senses as possible senses are a great aid to memory (scented highlighters, music, colourful diagrams...) O Use concrete materials and objects as much as possible O Involve motion into studying O Take breaks from long sitting sessions (get up, move around) O Draw maps, mind maps, and diagrams of projects/papers

Your Learning Style - Visual O Visual learners understand concepts by being able to see them, and they learn new tasks by watching them demonstrated. O Take notes and create outlines O Use symbols and abbreviations in your notes O Learn shorthand (or develop your own!) O Ask for demonstrations and examples whenever possible O Outline, mind map O Draw diagrams and pictures O Colour code O Study away from visual distractions (i.e. televisions, posters, motion)

Taking It In 1. Time Management O O O Plan Factor in breaks Work in short bursts

No 2..To quote a famous man.

Taking It In O 3. Note-taking O Skimming and scanning identifying what is important O Condense notes O Mind Maps O Spider Diagrams O Bullet Points O Questions O Noting anything you don t understand

Taking It In O 4. Concentration O Remove distractions (PHONE!) O Divide your work into small short-range goals O 5. Stress Management O Planning O Rewards O Ample breaks O Seek help

Remembering Visual Organisation O Mind Mapping O Start in the centre of a blank page O Turn the page sideways O Your brain has more freedom to spread out in all directions O Use an Image or Picture for your central idea O An Image is worth a thousand words O It stimulates your imagination O It is more interesting O It keeps you focused O It helps you concentrate

Mind Mapping O Use Colours throughout O Colours are exciting to the brain O Colours add vibrancy and life to your Mind Map O Colours add energy to your creative thinking O Connect Main Branches to the central image O Connect second and third level branches O The brain works by association O The brain likes to link things together O Linking the branches creates structure

Mind Mapping O Make your lines curved O Straight lines are boring O Curved branches are attractive O Use One Key Word per line O Single Key Words give your Mind Map more power and flexibility O Each word or image creates its own associations and connections O Each Key Word is able to spark off new ideas and thoughts O Phrases dampen this triggering effect

Mind Mapping O Use Images throughout O Each image is worth a thousand words O 10 images will give you 10 000 words!

Mind Mapping

What helps us remember? O O O O O O O O O O O O Exercise Speak out loud instead of simple reading Teach what you have learned Study in a group Create mental associations Draw diagrams Create flashcards Take regular study breaks Practice past papers are invaluable Test yourself Display in your room A good night s sleep and keeping hydrated

HOW TO CREATE AN EFFECTIVE STUDY PLAN

WHY MAKE A STUDY PLAN? O Exam time is just around the corner and it s easy to get overwhelmed by the amount of work you have. O Creating a study plan is a great way to get organised and reduce the stress associated with studying. O A study plan helps you concentrate, focus and can save you from feeling lost. O A study plan makes you more accountable and helps to overcome procrastination. O By starting early you have a better chance to absorb all the information and you will feel calmer and more prepared for exams.

CHOOSE A SUITABLE TEMPLATE O Choose a calendar or template to arrange your schedule on. O Place the calendar or printed plan in a visible location and you may even want to share it with your family or friends so they know when you are available. TOP TIP: Evaluate your plan on a weekly basis and make necessary changes. An electronic plan can help with this and there is also an SQA app that can help you plan your study! Exam Time is another good online resource.

HOW MUCH TIME SHOULD I SPEND STUDYING? O Make your study plan realistic and something that you can commit to. Don t create a plan that is overly rigid or that can t be flexible. O It must be manageable. Determine the number of hours you can study on certain days and be honest with yourself about when you are most productive. TOP TIP: When possible, you should try to create study times that are consistent each day. This will help build a routine which will make you more likely to stick to your plan.

HOW SHOULD I STRUCTURE MY PLAN? O Your study plan should be balanced. O Divide material up so you can work in manageable chunks. You may want to prioritise subjects and topics depending on your strengths. O For each subject, divide the course up into segments that can be assigned to different study blocks. O Work in blocks of 30-45 minutes. The brain learns faster and better if done in brief blocks of time spread out over longer periods of time. TOP TIP: Be creative. Switch it up to prevent boredom. Use a variety of study methods.

WHAT SHOULD I DO AT THE START OF EVERY STUDY SESSION? O Create an action plan at the beginning of every study session. O Write down exactly what you hope to achieve within the 45 minutes. O Make your goals realistic. O Example - complete one past paper under timed conditions, produce a mind map about... TOP TIP Reward yourself for sticking to your action plan. Schedule in other activities into your plan. This can help to improve motivation.

What is exam technique? O This is not about what you KNOW. It is making sure what you know is written appropriately under exam conditions O Have you ever experienced a time when you didn t gain marks even when you had thoroughly revised?

What are common mistakes that people make in an exam? O Leaving a question out that you MEANT to go back to O Answering the same question twice O Not noticed questions on the back page O Running out of time

What things can you do before the exam which might help you?

Was that a bit obvious??

Other advice. Be prepared O Get up early that day so you are not rushed and harassed O Have your resources ready pens, ruler etc O Eat a good breakfast and have lots of water

During the exam Open the paper and.

Read the questions S L O W L Y take in what each question is asking Highlight the key points (command words, no of marks)

Command words what is the question asking me? These are the GUIDES to what the examiner is looking for They usually build up with the easier questions coming first Different for every exam (Analyse, describe, explain, discuss, Identify)

When you have a choice. Don t just answer a question because it was a topic you quite liked. Is it a really demanding question? Do you know enough to give it depth Be careful if you think you recognise a question they have often been subtly changed

Don t leave questions blank If you get really stuck move on You should NEVER leave an exam early Use all your time check, check, check and then check again

Be prepared Read the paper Check your answers

HOMEWORK FOR NEXT MONDAY When you return next week you must bring a copy of your study plan. You can use one of the blank templates provided or you can print out an electronic copy.