This document provides tips and strategies for effective studying at the college level. It emphasizes that college requires more independent and active studying compared to secondary school. Students must plan their studying in advance and have a clear strategy and purpose for each study session. The document recommends using a framework called PSR (Purpose, Strategy, Review) to structure study time. Active studying means working with the material to build understanding, such as using hands-on learning, study groups, note-taking and asking questions. Different note-taking styles like outlines and concept maps are presented. The importance of reviewing notes and spacing out practice is discussed in relation to the Ebbinghaus Forgetting Curve.

1. Dr. Mark Matthews
Student Learning Development,
Trinity College Dublin
http://student-learning.tcd.ie
Effective Study Skills

2. School vs College

3. School College
You can’t cover everything
Plan in advance – have a strategy

4. I’m just going to the library for 4 hours….
(I’ll work out what I’ll study when I get there)

5. School College
Dependent on teacher
Homework
Up to you to make college:
-interesting
- active

6. Active studying means
1. Working with the material to try to build
understanding
2. Find a way process the information in a
deep and meaningful way

7. How?
Have a framework
– Think about the purpose of the study task
– Consider the best way to approach it
– Reflect and review
PSR
– Purpose – why?
– Strategy – how?
– Review – check!

8. Active Learning
Hands-on Learning Engage in Seminars
Set up a Study Group Get to Know Staff
See your subject everywhere Active Note-taking

9. Discussion (5 mins)
1. How do you study (reading/notes) ?
2. How do you take read?
3. How do you take notes?

10. Reading List
Reading

11. Good Reading is like Interrogation

12. Get reading – actively!
Purpose
• Strategies to suit:
– Scanning
– SQ3R
– Note making
• Review

13. Ebbinghaus Forgetting Curve
Schedule Time for Reviews

14. Get Thinking - Reading
1. Asking questions
2. What is the point of view of author?
3. Evaluate evidence
4. Forming opinions

15. Being Selective
• Ask lectures/tutors what is most
relevant
• Be alert for hints and clues
• Ask fellow students
• Ask students in years ahead
• Share reading
• Preview or skim before in-depth
reading

17. Taking Notes

18. “I feel like I’m being taken advantage
of – doing work not related to my PhD”
Ok, I’m finding it hard to
concentrate, I’ll make a
good effort to make
precise notes.

19. Perfect Copy

20. Notes
Source
Review
Notes
Exams
Or
Essays
Your
Summary
Notes

21. You want to be looking at questions

22. Types of Notes
1. Prose or summary
2. Outline or skeleton
3. Mind or concept maps
4. Cornell or 2 Column
How do you take notes?

23. Summary

24. Outline

25. Concept Maps

26. Mind Maps

27. ?

28. Taking Notes
Write brief notes here as
you are reading a book
OR during a lecture
Write a short summary of the page here
Write
Keywords
here

29. Taking Notes
Types of Matter
1. Solids
-have a definite shape
-have a defiinte volume
2. Liquids
-Do not have a shape
- Have a volume
Write a short summary of the page here
Solids
Liquids
?

30. Executive Summary
A
Short summary (paragraph)
How convincing did you find
the author’s argument?
B
What are the 4 honest signals?
Briefly describe them.
What is mood contagion?

31. More information
Cottrell, S. (2003). The study skills handbook,
2nd ed. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
Fairburn, G.J. & Fairburn, S.A. (2001).
Reading at university: a guide for students.
Maidenhead: Open University Press.

33. Student Learning Development
Thank you for your time
Visit our website at:
http://student-learning.tcd.ie

34. Any Questions?
Thank you for your time