Table of Contents
Preface 11
Introduction 13
Obstacles That College Students Battle 14
Characteristics of Successful College Students 16
How to Use This Book 17
Part I Setting yourself Up for Success: What to Do Right Now 19
Chapter 1 Make a Schedule 21
Determine Where Time Goes 22
Determine the Best Study Time 23
Set Up a Regular Schedule 24
Commit to Going to Each and Every Class Meeting 26
Plan Study Blocks 27
Compensate for Special Circumstances 28
Make Time for Fun 29
Make Use of Your Breaks 31
Survive Those Crazy Weeks 32
Exercise: Create a Schedule 33
Have Multiple Spots 41
Chapter 2 Find a Study Spot 41
Know Which Spots to Avoid 42
Know Where to Look 43
Keep a Secret 43
Exercise: Find and Evaluate Potential Secret Study Spots 44
Exercise: Plan Where You Will Study at Each Study Session 46
Organize the Backpack 47
Chapter 3 Get Organized 47
Organize the Papers 48
Dress for Success 49
Exercise: Organize Study Supplies 50
Exercise: Organize Class Materials 51
Exercise: Evaluate Appearance and its Effects 52
Activate the Active Learner 53
Chapter 4 Determine Learning Styles and Use This Knowledge 53
Activate the Reflective Learner 54
Balance Active and Reflective Learning 55
Activate the Sensing Learner 55
Activate the Intuitive Learner 56
Activate the Visual Learner 57
Activate the Verbal Learner 57
Activate the Sequential Learner 58
Activate the Global Learner 59
Activate the Aural Learner 59
Activate the Physical Learner 60
Choose the Right Textbook and Materials 60
Exercise: Identify Learning Styles 61
Exercise: Evaluate Learning Methods 63
Part II Getting Down to Business: What to Do Every Day 65
Chapter 5 Read for Comprehension - General Reading Tips 67
Read Often 67
Set a Pace 68
Prepare Before Reading 69
Look for an Organizational Pattern 70
Focus on the Ideas 70
Take Steps to Reduce Zoning 71
Master the Art of Skimming 72
Recognize Signal Words 73
Step Back in Time 74
Apply the Material 74
General Reading Skills Cheat Sheet 76
Understand the Basic SQ3R System 77
Chapter 6 Read with a System - SQ3R and Beyond 77
Exercise: Try It 79
Build Upon the System 81
Evaluate the Results 84
Forget What You Have Been Taught (In High School) 85
Chapter 7 Read with a Plan: Note-Taking Strategies 85
Beware of Used Books 86
Love the Book 87
Read First, Notate Later 88
Be Specific and Selective 89
Be Near 91
Copy onto Paper 91
Make Choices 93
Exercise: Create a System 94
Figure Out Why It Has Been Assigned 95
Chapter 8 Understanding Supplementary Materials 95
Do Not Dismiss Reading Strategies 96
Read the Chapter before the Lecture 97
Chapter 9 Get More out of Lectures 97
Ask One Question during Each Class Period 98
Take Good Notes during Lectures 99
Combine Textbook and Lecture Notes 100
Beat the Lecture Blues 101
Exercise: Examine What Makes Listening During Lectures Difficult and Make a Plan to Counter Act It 102
Chapter 10 Recognize the Importance of Critical Thinking 105
Understand the Importance of Lateral Thinking 106
Understand the Importance of Vertical Thinking 107
Balance Lateral and Vertical Thinking 108
Be Aware of Assumptions 109
Practice Critical Thinking Skills 110
Part III Putting It All Together: Proven Techniques for Exams 111
Chapter 11 Prepare to Study 113
Allot Enough Time and Start Early 113
Organize the Material and Plan a Schedule 115
Predict Questions 118
Utilize Provided Resources 121
Summarize and Condense 125
Chapter 12 Active Studying Strategies 125
Use Flashcards 130
Use Visual Depictions of Information 132
Create a Study Group 133
Master the Review 134
Overcome Test Anxiety 137
Chapter 13 Plan a Test-Taking Strategy 137
Resist the Urge 138
Read Directions 139
Prioritize and Budget Time 140
Use Every Second 141
Make the Right Choice 143
Chapter 14 Take the Objective Exam 143
Find the Truth 146
Play Matchmaker 147
Chapter 15 Take the Essay Exam 149
Chapter 16 Take the Open Book Exam 151
Look at Mistakes 155
Chapter 17 Review Returned Tests 155
Read and Understand Comments 156
Create a Study Log 158
Part IV Completing Assignments 159
Chapter 18 Understand Directive Words and Phrases 161
Decipher Level One Directive Words 162
Decipher Level Two Directive Words 171
Decipher Level Three Directive Words 178
Handle Hybrid Directives 185
Research the Research Paper 187
Chapter 19 Special Considerations for Each Type of Assignment 187
Start Early 191
Chapter 20 Allow Enough Time 191
Choose a Prompt 193
Choose a Topic 194
Avoid Cramming In Regards to Research Assignments 195
Chapter 21 Research Early and Eagerly 195
Find Credible and Current Sources 196
Know When to Stop 197
Specify the Search Terms 198
Think about Topics in Relation to Assignments 199
Chapter 22 Writing is Only a Small Portion of the Success 199
A Thesis Is a Basis 200
Writing Process 202
Other Considerations for Projects, Papers, and Presentations 205
Part V Handling Special Circumstances 207
Chapter 23 Understand Online and Blended Classes 209
Choose the Team 213
Chapter 24 Master Group Projects 213
Take the First Step 214
Be the Leader 215
Delegate Tasks 216
Stay ON Task during Group Meetings 216
Set Deadlines 218
Resolve Conflict 218
Pick up the Slack 220
Avoid Procrastinating 221
Chapter 25 Balance Extracurricular and Curricular Activities 221
Make a List of Priorities 222
Get a Tutor 222
Utilize University Enforced Study Sessions 222
Look on On-Campus Jobs 223
Chapter 26 Balance Work and School 223
Stay Organized to Study Anywhere 224
Cut Back as Needed 224
Adjust Schedule 225
Chapter 27 Survive Finals Week 225
Attend Study Sessions 226
Stay Healthy 227
Avoid Stress 229
Stay Organized 230
Remember Studying and Test-Taking Strategies 230
Understand the Benefit 231
Chapter 28 Study Abroad 231
Choose a Program 232
Make it Count 234
Part VI Avoiding Studying Downfalls: How to keep up with It All 235
Chapter 29 Utilize Offered Resources 237
Get Involved with Academic Departments 237
Frequent Tutoring and Writing Centers 238
Look for Old Test Resources 239
Find out about Study Aids on the Internet 240
Visit Counseling Centers 240
Read Professor Evaluations 241
Learn How to Access Databases for Research 241
Search for Specialty Libraries and Collections 241
Use Disability Services 241
Take a Writing Class 243
Chapter 30 Use First Year to Prepare for Rest 243
Take a Speech Class 244
Take a Tour of Campus with an Upperclassman 244
Examine Values 245
Chapter 31 Keep it Real 245
Define Personal Success 246
Make Goals 247
Stay Connected to Reality 248
Examine Majors and Minors Frequently 248
Know When to Transfer 249
Keep a List 251
Chapter 32 Boost Your Concentration 251
Diagnose Which Classes Cause the Most Concentration Problems 252
Remove External Distractions 252
Avoid Multi-Tasking 253
Set Mini-Goals When Concentration is at Its Worst 253
Chen All Else Fails 254
Make a Conscious Effort 255
Chapter 33 Improve Memory 255
Exercise the Brain 256
Repeat and Recite 256
Create Acronyms 256
Visualize the Information 257
Write Sentences 257
Rhyme to Remember 258
Overload the Senses 258
Subscribe to a Word-of-the-Day Email 259
Chapter 34 Improve Vocabulary 259
Learn Roots, Prefixes, and Suffixes 260
Keep a List of New Words 260
Read 260
Play 261
Examine Lack of Motivation 263
Chapter 35 Stay Motivated 263
Avoid Relying on Other People 264
Stay Positive and Keep Things in Perspective 264
Make Lists 265
Start Small 265
At this point, one of three things can happen: 266
Enroll in Summer School 267
Chapter 36 Maximize Summer and Semester Breaks 267
Do an Internship 268
Volunteer 269
Anticipate the Learning Style 271
Chapter 37 Ease the Transition 271
Ease the Fears 272
Transitioning the Non-traditional Student 272
Set up a Meeting 275
Chapter 38 Approach the Professor 275
Prepare for the Meeting 276
Be Polite 276
Keep Expectations in Check 276
Stay Open-Minded 277
Conclusion 279
Bibliography 281
About the Author 283
Index 285
