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Campus General Study Tips
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General Study Tips for Distance Learners...
Pace yourself! It is easy to fall into the "trap" of putting the material aside because you do not have to attend lectures. Follow the schedule of "virtual class periods" each week to keep on track.
Your study environment should be comfortable (but not too cozy) with an adequate light source. There should be no distracting source of sensory stimulation (such as a television, refrigerator, etc.) in the immediate vicinity of your study area. However, many students prefer classical music or other soothing sounds in the background.
80% of studying is usually done in 20% of your study time. This 20% should be regarded as your peak period - i.e. when your concentration and output are maximal. Identify this peak period - for some it may be in the early hours of the morning, for others it may be late at night. Tackle conceptual and difficult material during your peak period.
Studying should not be passive. Active studying entails making a concerted effort to recall information. For some, verbal articulation of theoretical knowledge does the trick - for others rewriting the information works. If it helps, take notes, underline key passages, do your note-taking on audio tape so you can listen and learn on the way to work, read out-loud, etc. In other words, get some ACTION into your study habits. Make use of your key learning modes (auditory, kinesthetic, visual) as much as possible. Always place yourself in an examination situation when you try to recall information. This places you in an advantageous position where you can effectively tackle an examination question - because you have trained yourself.
Ensure that you understand and are able to apply basic concepts before proceeding to study intricate details.
Monitor your own time.
Have a "To Do" list. Write down things you have to do, then decide what to do right now, what to schedule for later, what to get someone else to do, and what to put off for a later time period (like after the course is over).
Have a daily/weekly planner. Write down appointments, due dates, and outside activities on a chronological log book or chart.
The only way to avoid procrastination is to do the goal at hand (course work).
To do the goal at hand you have to become motivated.
Ask Yourself the Following Questions:
It is much easier to have fun when there are no projects in the back of your mind. Finish your projects so your fun time will be more enjoyable.
Adapted from the film Time Management by D. Ellis, College Survival, Inc.,1990.