The document outlines top study strategies presented by The Learning Curve at Assiniboine Community College. It discusses reflecting on current study approaches and identifying areas for improvement. Ten effective study strategies are reviewed: previewing texts, active reading, reviewing notes within 24 hours, studying actively through flashcards and concept maps, creating study groups, managing time, finding an ideal study spot, and test-taking tips. The goal is to help students improve retention, understanding, and application of course material.

1. Top Study Strategies
Presented by:
The Learning Curve
Assiniboine Community College
Caitlin Munn
Manager, Learning Commons
204-725-8700 (ext. 6200)
munnc@Assiniboine.net
This presentation can be viewed and downloaded here:
http://bit.ly/

2. Overview and Objectives
• Reflect on your current approach to studying
and identify areas for improvement
• Review the top ten study strategies
• Share resources and tools to improve your
studying

3. Reflection
• How do you study?
• Is your approach
effective? Why or why
not?

5. Moving Forward
• What do you need the
most help with?
– Remembering content
– Understanding content
– Making connections
– Being able to apply what
you are learning

6. Preview the Text

7. Preview the Text
• What to do – brainstorm what you know and
need to learn about a topic
• How to do – before reading be sure to:
– read the title
– review the table of contents
– identify key words throughout the text
– review diagrams/charts/pictures
– read all the questions at the end of the chapter
• Why? This strategy helps you make connections,
understand the text deeper, and retain new
content!

8. Active Reading

9. Active Reading
• What to do – monitor your understanding of a
text and make connections as you read
• How to do it – while reading be sure to:
– Ask yourself, do I understand what I am reading?
– Highlight key terms and concepts
– Develop questions to quiz yourself later
– Summarize each section you read
– Try the S3QR method
• Why? This strategy helps you pull deeper
meaning from the text. Remember reading is
more than just saying the words on the page!

10. Review Notes Within 24 Hours

11. Review Notes Within 24 Hours
• What to do – reviews notes within 24 hours
• How to do it – set aside 10 minutes each night
(per course) to:
– Identify most important concepts or points
– Identify key terms and new vocabulary
– Fill in any information you missed during class
– Identify any next steps (e.g. questions you need
answered)
• Why? If you don’t review it, you will lose it!

12. Study Actively

13. Test Your Memory!

15. How many can you remember?

19. So What?
• Material should not be memorized in isolation
• Understanding is more important than
memorizing!
• Find connections, patterns, and meaning – try
concept mapping!
• Studying and learning should be done in a
strategic manner

20. Study Actively
• What to do – rather than just reading notes
over and over, do something active!
• How to do it – create flash cards, concept
maps, mind maps, cue sheets, diagrams,
create practice questions, explain concepts to
a friend
• Why? Studying actively promotes deep
understanding, ability to apply new material,
and is more interesting!

21. Create a Study Group

22. Create a Study Group
• What to do – get together a group of your
classmates and set a time to meet
• How to do it – create questions to quiz each
other, review course material
• Why? Those who participate in study groups
are generally more motivated, procrastinate
less, and have less anxiety about their
tests/assignments.

23. Manage Your Time

24. Manage Your Time
• What to do – develop strategies to make the
most your time in and out of class
• How to do it – write down due dates, plan your
week, start assignments early, set goals and hold
yourself accountable, create do to lists and mark
off tasks when completed
• Why? This allows you to make the most of your
time and avoid the negative impacts of poor time
management (e.g. anxiety, stress, cramming).

26. Activity
1. As a group, identify an upcoming test
2. As a group, brainstorm the material that will
be on the upcoming test
3. In pairs, identify one preparation and review
strategy you could use to study for this test

27. Find Your Ideal Study Spot

28. Find Your Ideal Study Spot
• What to do – identify the best place and time
to study
• How to do it – consider comfort level,
distractions, noise, travel time, proximity to
things needed (e.g. snacks, water)
• Why? Having your ideal study spot helps you
make the most of study time!

30. 25 - 5

31. WRITING THE TEST

32. General Tips for Writing
• Complete all necessary information first (e.g.
name, date, class)
• Plan your time – how much time do you have
for each question?
• If you don’t know an answer, mark it for later
and move on!
• Check that you have answered all the
questions

33. Method
1. Cover the answers
2. Only read the question – do I understand what it is
asking me?
3. Reread the question and underline any important
words (e.g. key terms, qualifying words such as “all of
the above” or “none of the above”)
4. Answer the question without looking at the choice
5. Uncover the choices and identify if your answer is
there
6. Use process of elimination (e.g. eliminate irrelevant
or silly answers)

34. Practice
Question: What is the best definition of wheedle?
a. shipping vessel used to transport shrimp
b. to influence or entice by soft words or flattery
c. a creature from the game Pokémon
d. the act of wheezing after vigorous exercise
Answer: b
Suzie wheedled the babysitter into letting her stay up an
hour past her bedtime.
Definition from: http://www.merriam-webster.com/word-of-the-day/

35. Practice
Question: Which of the following is not a synonym
for phenomenal?
a. outstanding
b. remarkable
c. ordinary
d. rare
Answer: c

36. Contact Information
Caitlin Munn
Manager, Learning Commons
204-725-8700 (ext. 6200)
munnc@Assiniboine.net
This presentation can be viewed and
downloaded here:
http://bit.ly/studytrades