The Complete Idiot's Guide to Study Skills: Boost Your GPA with Time- and Brain-Saving Strategies

by Randall S. Hansen

Overview

Study smarter, not harder!

Every high school and college student would love to know how to get the highest grades with the least amount of effort. This book gives students a guiding philosophy for every class, every time, laying the foundation for lifelong learning. With the wisdom gained from these tips, success stories from other students, and mini-assessments, they’ll be empowered to succeed in class preparation, reading comprehension, exam-taking, and more.

•  No one method fits every student, so included are many tried-and-true methods.
•  Useful for every subject, from foreign languages to mathematics, from high school through college and beyond.
•  Helps students find their particular learning styles.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781440636554
Publisher:	DK
Publication date:	09/02/2008
Series:	COMPLETE IDIOT'S GUIDE Series
Sold by:	Penguin Group
Format:	eBook
Pages:	288
File size:	1 MB

About the Author

Randall S. Hansen, Ph.D., and Katharine Hansen, Ph.D., have more than 20 years' combined college-level teaching experience, including several years teaching a first-year skills seminar. Randall Hansen is also founder and CEO of a network of self-help websites, including one focused on academic success.

Table of Contents

Pre-TEST-Laying the Groundwork     1
Five Myths About Studying     3
Studying More/Longer Results in Good Grades     4
There's One Study System Everyone Can Use     5
Knowing the Course Material Is Enough     6
Cramming the Night Before Will Keep Material Fresh     7
Writing Has Very Little Impact on Learning     8
What You've Learned     9
Five Rules for Improving Your Grades     11
You Must Want to Achieve Better Grades     12
Identify Your Study Strengths and Weaknesses     13
Studying Requires a Daily Commitment     14
Get Help Early and When You Need It     16
Set Reasonable and Achievable Goals     16
What You've Learned     18
Five Tips from Students     19
Study in Small Chunks Instead of One Long Period     20
When Possible, Review Previous Tests/Assignments     21
Develop a System That Works for You     22
Learn What the Professor/Teacher Expects     23
Using Brain Fitness Techniques     25
What You've Learned     27
Taking Responsibility for Learning     29
Time Management and Organizational Systems     31
AvoidingProcrastination and Taking Responsibility     32
Tackling Time Management     34
Time-Management and Project-Management Systems     38
Making the Most of Your Time     43
What You've Learned     46
Finding Your Learning Style     49
Determining Your Learning Style     50
Visual Learners     52
Auditory Learners     54
Kinesthetic/Tactile Learners     56
Global vs. Analytical/Sequential Learners     58
Global Learners     58
Analytical/Sequential Learners     60
Successful Intelligence     61
What You've Learned     64
Reading for Comprehension and Memory     65
How Much and Why     66
Using the Entire Textbook     69
Active Reading for Understanding     73
Advanced Active Reading to Learn Key Concepts     76
Methods for Improving Memory     79
What You've Learned     81
Establishing Success in the Classroom     83
Class Preparation and Note Taking     85
Using the Syllabus and Course Calendar     86
Knowing Your Professor     88
Active Listening and Learning      90
Participating in Class     92
Note Taking     94
What You've Learned     98
Study Tools     99
Study Systems     100
Flash Cards     105
Outlines     106
Study Groups     107
Review Sessions     109
Developing Your Own Study Plan     110
24-Hour Countdown     111
What You've Learned     112
Testing Techniques     113
Test-Prep Basics     114
Having the Right Mental Attitude     115
Tips in Situations in Which You Must Cram     115
Practice Tests     119
Objective Exams     120
Multiple-Choice Questions     121
True/False Questions     122
Fill-in-the-Blank/Sentence-Completion Questions     123
Matching Questions     123
Short-Answer Exams     124
Essay Exams     124
Open-Book and Take-Home Exams     126
What You've Learned     127
Subjects That Require Special Study Techniques     129
Math     130
Sciences     134
English     136
Foreign Languages      139
What You've Learned     142
Succeeding with Writing     143
Research Methods     145
Getting Started with Topic Development     146
Keywords     149
Traditional Research Tools     151
Online Searching     154
Using Sources Effectively     156
Avoiding Plagiarism     158
What You've Learned     160
Writing Essentials     161
Developing a Strategy and Outlining     162
Strategy     162
Outlining     164
Building and Using Your Vocabulary     166
Punctuation and Grammar     167
Five-Paragraph Formula     172
Prewrite-Write-Edit-Revise-Edit-Proofread-Revise     174
What You've Learned     177
Academic Papers and Other Written Assignments     179
Expository Essays and Reports     180
Descriptive Essays     183
Narrative Essays     185
Comparative Essays     188
Argumentative Essays     190
Writing Approaches     191
Pitfalls     193
Research Papers     193
What You've Learned      195
Tackling Tough Issues     197
Managing Stress and Achieving Balance     199
Top College Stressors     200
Academic Stress     200
Personal Stress     201
Family Stress     203
Financial Stress     204
Future Stress     205
Stress Relief, Wellness, and Relaxation Techniques     206
Symptoms of Stress     206
Stress Relief     207
Wellness     208
Relaxation Techniques     209
Importance of Balance     211
Learning to Say "No"     212
What You've Learned     214
If the Good Grades Are Not Happening     215
Staying Motivated     216
Back to Basics     220
Tutoring     222
Meeting with the Professor     223
What You've Learned     228
Appendixes
Additional Study Skills Resources     229
10 Tips on 10 Study Skills/Academic Success Topics     235
Index     257