Secrets to Success: Organizational, Note-taking, and Study Skill Tips For the Students of OLH Prep
Table of Contents I. Opening Letter II. Headings for Assignments III. Organizational Tips IV. Note-taking Ideas V. Study Skills VI. Study Skills Self-Check VII. Resources
I. Opening Letter Dear OLH Prep Student, In an effort to help you become more successful students, your teachers at OLH Prep have designed this packet of organizational and study tips for you. Read this packet carefully. Here you will find the tools and tips you need to be academically successful not just in the Prep, but in high school and beyond. Each and every day, you will practice and hone these skills and strategies until they become ingrained habits. Your OLH Prep teachers are available to help explain and clarify anything you find in this packet. Just ask Sincerely, The Teachers at OLH Prep
II. Headings for Assignments Use this format as your heading for all assignments in each of your classes: (Use upper left hand corner of paper) Your first and last name Teacher s name Subject Date Example: Jane Doe Mrs. Hanley Religion 7 September 23, 2014
III. Organizational Tips Backpacks 1) Write your name, school, and/or phone number on your backpack, or use a tag for easy identification. 2) Use compartments in your backpack to organize your school supplies. 3) Don t store unnecessary items in your backpack. Maintain it regularly and keep it neat! Notebooks 1) Follow your teachers instructions when it comes to how many and how to label your notebooks. 2) Use your notebooks only for the subjects they are intended for don t use the same notebook for all subjects. Binders 1) Follow your teachers instructions when it comes to how many and how to label your binders. 2) Use section dividers and tabs to separate subjects in your binders. 3) Choose a style of binder that will suit your organizational needs. Folders 1) You may wish to color-code folders to match the color of your notebook for individual subjects. This is a quick, easy method to help you stay organized. 2) Don t use too many different folders...just use what you need to. 3) Have a special folder for Take Home materials (i.e. notes from school, homework, important papers, etc.). ***Don t forget to label EVERYTHING!
IV. Note-taking Ideas 1.) Annotating Annotation is the process of marking a piece of text while reading. Annotation helps you learn more about what you are reading because you are thinking more critically about what you are reading. Annotating is a helpful tool when using photocopies of documents or school workbooks. Highlighting You may find using a highlighter helpful to mark: Important passages, ideas, and concepts Names of key people, places, or dates Key research, statistics, and facts ***Consider using different color highlighters if you have different concepts or ideas to note. Underlining Use underlining to help you locate: Memorable or important quotes, details, or sentences Answers to specific questions ***Underlining is also great if you don t have a highlighter. You can also choose to highlight some types of information and underline others.
Circling Use circles for: Unfamiliar terms or vocabulary Writing Notes in Margins of Photocopies or Workbooks Use notes in the margin to: Ask questions about the text. Summarize information. Make connections. Help you locate important information or ideas quickly. Using Symbols and Abbreviations Symbols and abbreviations are a way to personalize your thoughts using shorthand. Use symbols or abbreviations to help you locate and remember what you read. Make up a set of symbols and abbreviations to use or use some of the following:?- Question or confusing point, line, or word!- Important concept, word, event, etc. * - Use stars, asterisks, or other unique symbols to help you find information. 1, 2, 3, - Use numbers to help indicate steps or a sequence of events. Arrows- Use arrows to show relationships or sequence of events. P.O.V. - point of view. Use to show the vantage point of a character in a particular text.
Post-its Consider using post-its to record important information or your thoughts when you are unable to write on a document, such as a textbook. Examples of annotated texts:
2.) Ways to Organize Ideas Graphic Organizers Use graphic organizers to help you organize information and your thoughts. Just be sure to write neatly and use pencil if possible to make corrections easier. Examples of common graphic organizers:
V. Study Skills Use your planner to write down ALL assignments, tests, projects, due dates, and upcoming events. Keep it with you at all times. This is one of the most important tools for staying organized! Check the websites for your classes to see what homework and projects are upcoming. Make a habit of aligning your planner with due dates posted on websites at the start of each week. Use your time well-in class and at home. Prioritize. Set aside time to work on both long and short-term projects each night. Evenings with less written work should be set aside for reviewing class notes, using study guides, rereading texts to ensure comprehension, or planning for larger projects ahead. Have a quiet place set aside to do your homework at home. Check your work before submitting it, and keep your completed work in a folder, binder, or your backpack. Have a study buddy or someone you can call for assignments or to ask questions if you are unsure of a topic discussed during class. Be organized at all times.
VI. Study Skills Self-Check Assess your study skills by answering the following questions: Study Skills Checklist Read each statement and determine if it applies to you. If it does, then check Y. If it doesn't, check N. The purpose of this checklist is to provide you a self-assessment of your study habits and attitudes and identify study skills areas where you might want to focus. You may also print this out and share it with your teacher to get individualized help with your study habits. 1. Y N I spend more time than necessary studying for what I am learning. 2. Y N It s common for me to spend hours cramming the night before an exam. 3. Y N If I dedicate as much time as I want to my social life, I don't have enough time left to focus on my studies, or when I study as much as I need to, I don't have time for my social life. 4. Y N I often study with the TV, computer, or radio turned on. 5. Y N I struggle to study for long periods of time without becoming distracted or tired. 6. Y N I usually doodle, daydream, or fall asleep when I go to class. 7. Y N Often the notes I take during class notes are difficult for me to understand later when I try and review them. 8. Y N I often end up getting the wrong material into my class notes. 9. Y N I don't usually review my class notes from time-to-time throughout the trimester in preparation for exams. 10. Y N When I get to the end of a chapter in a textbook, I struggle to remember what I've just got done reading. 11. Y N I struggle to identify what is important in the text. 12. Y N I frequently can't keep up with my reading assignments, and consequently, I have to cram the night before a test. 13.Y N For some reason I miss a lot of points on essay tests even when I feel well-prepared and know the material well. 14. Y N I study a lot for each test, but when I get to the test my mind draws a blank. 15. Y N I often study in a sort of disorganized, haphazard way, only motivated by the threat of the next test. 16. Y N I frequently end up getting lost in the details of reading and have trouble identifying the main ideas and key concepts. 17. Y N I don't usually change my reading speed in response to the difficulty level of what I'm reading, or my familiarity with the content.
18. Y N I often wish that I were able read faster. 19. Y N When my teachers assign me papers and projects, I often feel so overwhelmed that I really struggle to get started. 20. Y N More often than not I write my papers the night before they are due. 21. Y N I really struggle to organize my thoughts into a logical paper that makes sense. If you answered "yes" to two or more questions in any category listed below, then we recommending find self-help study guides for those categories. If you have one "yes" or less in one of the categories, you are probably proficient enough in these areas that you don't require additional study help. However, no matter how you score it s always advisable to review all study guide to help you improve your study skills and academic performance. Time Scheduling - 1, 2, and 3. Concentration - 4, 5, and 6. Listening & Note taking - 7, 8, and 9. Reading - 10, 11, and 12. Exams - 13, 14, and 15. Reading - 16, 17, and 18. Writing Skills -19, 20, and 21. Source: http://www.educationcorner.com/study-skills-checklist.html
VII. Resources Use these resources to find additional information and tips to help you become a better student: http://timeman.com/time-management-tips/time-managementtips-for-students Time management tips http://pbskids.org/itsmylife/school/time/ School tips http://www1.ccs.k12.in.us/clm/uploads/file/organization_tips_ 2.pdf Great organizational tips and information here. http://kidshealth.org/kid/feeling/school/studying.html Study tips http://www.enhanced-learning.net/studyskillsmainpage/studyskills-worksheets-for-free.php Printable worksheets to help you get organized and set goals. http://coe.jmu.edu/learningtoolbox/cornellnotes.html Cornell Note method http://coe.jmu.edu/learningtoolbox/scrol.html Scrol method of taking notes http://coe.jmu.edu/learningtoolbox/printstrats.html Excellent listing of strategies for all areas of learning, writing, and studying.