Many adult learners have fears that they will not remember how to study since it's been a
long time since they last sat in a classroom. Here are some tips:
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Studying with young children
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Having children in the house presents a challenge for adult students but it is possible to
combine effective study time for you with quality time for the children. Make studying a game and have the
children join in the fun! For instance, you may need to learn some facts which can be recited. Children
like to participate in recital activities - they don't need to know the meanings of the words or phrases
necessarily. Let's say you're studying for a chemistry test and need to learn the periodic table. One way
to do this would be to recite the name of an element and have your child repeat it with you. Make funny
faces while you're saying the names. While this may sound frivolous, studies actually show that for many
learners, particularly ones who learn kinesthetically (who like to learn 'hands on'), making these body
movements help them to learn better and remember longer.
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Forming a study group
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Studying in groups can make all the difference in the world for some students. But, how do
you form a group? First, look around you for dedicated students. You have a limited amount of time to
study and want to spend that time with people who have similar goals (for instance, passing the class!).
Look for people with similar academic or personal challenges - having something in common can help get over
rough study spots. Limit your group to 5 or 6 people so it stays manageable. Try out a study session -- if
it works, schedule another. Studying with fellow students rather than friends tends to work better -- friends
are great but you want to make sure that you stay focused on your goal of studying and not get distracted by
'friend' conversations.
Once you're in the group, set an agenda for each meeting. What will you focus on? How much
time have you allotted? Have each group member bring four or five test questions and test each other during
your session. Break up your subject and practice teaching each other (you know you know a subject really
well when you feel comfortable enough to teach it to another person).
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Note taking Skills
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Because we forget almost half of what we read or hear within an hour, it is very important to
write down information you need to remember. Note taking in college is often a three-step process:
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Before you even attend the lecture, read the textbook assignment and review any notes from
previous lectures. This refreshes your memory and helps you recognize concepts your instructor expects you
to learn.
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During the lecture, listen to what the instructor says and spend time thinking about it. Make
sure you ask questions when you don't understand so you don't leave feeling confused. Write notes about the
important points -- watch your instructor for clues, either verbal - "this is important" or nonverbal
- body language indicating that he/she thinks it's important.
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Review your notes as soon as you can after the lecture. You can fill in points you weren't
able to write down and can also make sure your notes make sense to you while you can still remember what
happened! If you have questions, write them down and take them to your study group or the instructor for
clarification.
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Reading a Textbook
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Reading your texts can also be thought of as a three-step process.
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Preview each chapter before you read it. Scan the chapters, look at
the pictures; try to get the main idea of the chapter before you read it more carefully.
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As you're reading, break the chapter into smaller sections. Turn paragraph or section
headings into questions and use them for studying. Summarize each section in your own words to make sure
you understand the ideas.
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After you read, think about what you have read. Can you relate it to your own experience?
If the textbook provides review questions, answer them. If you don't understand, ask your instructor!
Remember, studying generally works better if it is done in several short periods of time
rather than long 'cramming' sessions.
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