1 Keys to success in general psychologyA guide for students
2 Your Tips (Sp14) Take notes and rewrite them (same day)Narrow down (with study guide) ASAP Write notes in different way Make flash cards from questions you write (rehearse) Teach information to friends Reading: first scan, then 2nd time, take notes Focus on main words of definitions and reduce it Make up ways to remember key concepts (songs) Make sure to have time and material (40 min sessions; 10 min breaks); reduce distractions Long term studying; brief sessions to refresh Read completely; write in margins and then answer in own words
3 Think about it How do the tips you offered as a class address the principles of memory that you just learned? Which ones maximize the capacity and encoding of Sensory memory? Short term memory? Long term memory? Which ones help with retrieval? Which ones reduce forgetting? What should be added to the list? Consider this as you review the general study tips that follow
4 study skills Before Class Get plenty of rest Read the assigned readingReview your notes from the previous class Write down questions as you read and review Contact your instructor with specific questions Get notes you have missed from a classmate During sleep, you consolidate your memories, transferring them into long term storage. If you read before class, you establish connections in your brain that will be strengthened when you hear the material again in class, while discussing the material with classmates, or while reviewing. You can help make the material meaningful to you by developing and addressing your own questions. Be sure to have a central location for your questions or a method for making sure they stand out in your notes. You are responsible for course material presented in class, even if you are absent. ACTIVITY: Find a classmate who you can contact for notes if you miss class. You can also use your class Canvas site to contact other students. Penn State Learning. (n.d.). Note taking. Retrieved from https:// pennstatelearning.psu.edu/note-taking
5 The mind wants meaning. . . Study skillsHow does this fit in with what you have already learned? Where do you think this is going? What additional information do you want or need? Again, meaningful integration of information makes it that much easier to remember and apply when you need it. Penn State Learning. (n.d.). Note taking. Retrieved from https:// pennstatelearning.psu.edu/note-taking
6 During Class study skills Take notes Record dateLeave space for questions and more information Use your own words – except for definitions Abbreviate when possible Your level of organization in taking notes can make your notes much more useful to you. Putting ideas in your own words ensures they will make more sense when you review your notes and makes the material personally meaningful. Try to be efficient in taking notes – don’t write down every word the instructor says and use abbreviations when you can. Just be sure you have a key for your new abbreviations; over time you will develop your own style of shorthand. Use the Cornell System to take notes (refer to student handbook, page 59). Penn State Learning. (n.d.). Note taking. Retrieved from https:// pennstatelearning.psu.edu/note-taking
7 During Class study skills Write downInformation if even if you think you know it already Questions Points emphasized by instructor Key points presented in videos Instructors will send lots of signals about what is important…. They might spend more time on a concept repeat an item gesture or point change voice tone or volume make a direct reference to the book or a study ask if everyone understands provide an example slow down use a visual aid have you do an activity P Penn State Learning. (n.d.). Note taking. Retrieved from https:// pennstatelearning.psu.edu/note-taking
8 During Class study skills Ask questionsSit where you will be least distracted Volunteer for activities Participate when doing group work Make eye contact with your instructor Sitting near the front minimizes distractions for most students, but perhaps you need to be near the door. Find what works for you. If you have a friend you cannot resist talking to, sit apart from them and meet with them after class to review together. Put your phone on silent and out of reach! Participate as much as possible – be an active part of learning, rather than a passive observer. Our eyes communicate so much! Connect with your instructor and they will be more likely to recognize when you are following them and when they have lost you; this opens the door for you ask questions and clarify what is being said. Penn State Learning. (n.d.). Note taking. Retrieved from https:// pennstatelearning.psu.edu/note-taking
9 study skills After Class Review your notes within 24 hoursCopy? Consolidate with text notes? Elaborate Connect ideas Organize your notes and store in one place Practice with minimal distractions While the information is fresh is the time to fill in any blanks or cryptic writing you may have recorded in your notes. Penn State Learning. (n.d.). Note taking. Retrieved from https:// pennstatelearning.psu.edu/note-taking
10 SQRRR STUDY SKILLS Survey Question Read Recite ReviewSurvey: Scan outlines, Pay attention to headings and words in bold typeface. Provides big picture of content of chapter and organization. Use to break work into manageable time units (more on time management soon). Question: Turn each subtitle and heading into a question as you scan the chapter Use who, what, where, why, & how questions; try answering the questions - we learn from our mistakes! Use these questions to guide your reading and make it meaningful to you. Read: Keep those questions in mind as you read. Actively search for answers. Write down new questions as they arise. Read EVERYTHING on assigned pages, including captions, figures, graphs –these often bring the words to life. Continue writing down questions and key ideas. Avoid passive techniques, such as highlighting. You might read through the chapter once and jot down the major ideas, then read it again to take notes on specific terms and concepts Recite: Try to answer questions in your own words without looking at your materials; explain things as well as you can, then go looking for information to fill in any gaps or address new questions that arise. Relying on your materials while studying can lead to false confidence. Use self-testing opportunities whenever you can – testing forces memory. Review: Read over your questions and answers an try to summarize what you know. This is a good time to integrate material from lectures into your notes from the text. Rewards: ACTIVITY: Make a list right now of 5 rewards that would motivate you to study a little bit each day. Use these to reward yourself for achieving small goals, such as completing the reading of a chapter section. After a few minutes, have them share their list with their neighbor. Refer to handout in packet. Myers, D. G. (2013). Psychology (10th ed.). New York: Worth Publishers.
11 Maximize Memory study skillsMinimize distractions – avoid divided attention Take breaks every 20 minutes Make material personally relevant Minimize distractions: avoid dividing your attention between tasks; we may be able to do several tasks at once, but we don’t do any of them as well as when doing them one at a time – especially learning. Avoid facebook, turn off the music and tv. Take breaks: every minutes or when you start zoning out; this is a time to refuel with some protein or water. Let your brain recharge - take a 5-minute walk, check your phone so you can forget about it for the next 30 minutes. Spend no more than one hour at a time on any one topic. Making material personally relevant enhances memory by increasing the number and strengths of connections in your brain. Repeat Information to remember …..link to Brain Rules video Medina, J. (2008). Brain rules. Seattle, WA: Pear Press.
12 Managing My Time HandountTime management Your 5-day Plan Managing My Time Handount This process is clearly a lot more time consuming than just scanning each chapter. Awareness of how you are using your time can help you figure out how to be more efficient and find the time you need to devote to this class. Activity: On a scrap piece of paper or the corner of your page, privately make a prediction about how many hours of work outside of class you think are expected for this 5 credit course. Now share your prediction with the person beside you and discuss any discrepancies. For a 5 credit course, you should be spending a minimum of 2.5 hours per credit. For a 5 credit course, that means 12.5 hours a week! Activity: Using the “Managing My Time” handout in your packet, start filling in your weekly obligations; later, you can use the weekly calendar to review your schedule. Notice where you have open times that would work for individual study times and meeting with a study group.
13 TIME MANAGEMENT Effects of a 5 day Study PlanNew (recent memory) Middle Range (build on foundation and prepare for new) Oldest (creating a foundation from longer memory over time)
14 Online Resources to accompany Griggs TextTime management Self-Assessments Daily Checkpoints At the end of each unit Online Resources to accompany Griggs Text Caution Checkpoints: Assess your progress on a regular basis to ensure that you are devoting enough time to the areas in which you need to focus. On a daily basis you can review the previous day’s materials, using practice quizzes or reviewing self-made flashcards where you have integrated information from the text and the classroom. The beginning of each study session is a great time to do this. After completing the reading of each section is also a great time to self-assess and develop questions for your instructor. Caution: Don’t have the “gym membership” mentality when approaching pre-made materials. Be sure you use them and develop your own rather than assume you’re on your way because you know where the resources are. DEMONSTRATION: Use link to show them the online resources (e.g., quizzes)
15 using study groups effectivelyThe Group 3-4 members, 6 max. Make a serious commitment Choose a leader/facilitator Discuss: Why use study groups? Refer to handout in packet. AAcademic Resource Center. (n. d.). How to form successful study groups: Tips and strategies. Retrieved from
16 USING STUDY GROUPS EFFECTIVELYGroup Leader/Facilitator Duties Keep on task Pace the sessions Send out reminder s Rotate the role of facilitator to keep everyone invested
17 Using study groups effectivelyThe Sessions Once per week minimum Designate length Decide as group what to cover Activity: Let’s make a list of good places for hosting study groups in town. How about for those of you living outside of town? Brainstorm and write on board. Discuss asking instructors to set up discussion area on Canvas. AAcademic Resource Center. (n. d.). How to form successful study groups: Tips and strategies. Retrieved from
18 using study groups effectivelyWhat to Cover During a Study Group Focus on identifying & understanding concepts Share and compare lecture notes Subgroups teach and present specific material
19 your role and rights as a studentMeet your instructor’s expectations for maintaining a positive learning environment for all students Talk to your instructor when you have concerns about the classroom environment