This document provides strategies and concepts to help students succeed in college. It discusses the importance of taking effective notes, such as writing down key points and listening carefully. It also offers tips for better reading comprehension, writing papers, dealing with learning disabilities, and delivering public speeches with less anxiety. The overall message is that applying the right study skills and learning process can help students achieve their educational and career goals.

1. You Can Do It!
CONCEPTS AND STRATEGIES THAT
CAN HELP YOU SUCCEED IN COLLEGE

2. Why Take Notes?

3. Why Take Notes?
 “Taking notes is a great way of helping you identify
important concepts in class. Even if you have a great
memory, you won't be able to remember everything that
the teacher says, unless you have a permanent written
record for your reference”. Lombardi, Esther.
www.about.com
 Other reasons include:
 Helps isolate information you want to memorize.
 Helps you better understand the subject matter.
 Helps you prioritize information.
 Allows you to see your thoughts regarding the subject
matter.

4. Concepts For Better Note Taking
“The central act in taking notes is not writing; listening and
thinking are far more important. The key to effective note
taking is to write down the right amount of information—not
too much and not too little”.
 Sitting in the front of the class will help you to see
and hear the instructor clearly and you’re less likely
to be distracted.
 Take your notes in small phrases rather than full
sentences.

5. Concepts For Better Note Taking
 Have some understanding of what you expect to learn
from the book, chapter or class.
 Listen to the students in the class when they ask and
respond to questions and make note of their answers.
 “Very often the first or last sentence in a paragraph, or
the first or last paragraph in a section, will present a
key point”.
 It helps to get the memorization process started by
Looking at your notes as soon as possible after you take
them.

6. Food For Thought
 Don’t be afraid to mark up your book if you own it.
 Try to highlight no more than 10% of a page, less is
more.
 Frequently review your notes and fix any gaps and
try to get answers to any questions that come up.
 Make sure you have all the tools you need such as
pens, highlighters, notebooks or text books, flash
cards and so on before you begin.

7. Get The Most Out Of What You Read

8. Get The Most Out Of What You Read
 There are so many things than can interfere with
your reading comprehension such as, attention span,
concentration and unavoidable distractions.
 Reading too quickly can impair comprehension.
 Identify your reading style. (holistic or analytical)
 Identify the themes in the reading and their value to
you personally.
 Break up large amounts of reading into smaller
chunks; take breaks.

9. Get The Most Out Of What You Read
 If thoughts pop up, stop and address them by writing
them down and then move on.
 Schedule times to read when you are going to be
alone to avoid distractions.
 You can get an idea of what a book is about and
what the author is trying to teach by scanning or
reading the front matter and the summary.
 Give yourself enough time to do the reading.
 Make notes in you own words.

10. Get The Most Out Of What You Read
 If you have a reading system in place that works for
you, use it.
 Many students use the “SQ3R” (S-Q-R-R-R) method:
 Survey
 Question
 Read
 Recite
 Review
 Determine your reading speed by timing how long it
takes you to read a chapter.

11. Dealing With Reading Disabilities
 “One of the most common kinds of learning disabilities is dyslexia,
a reading disability that produces the misperception of letters
during reading and writing, unusual difficulty in sounding out
letters, spelling difficulties, and confusion between right and left”.
 “Another common disability is attention deficit hyperactivity
disorder (or ADHD), which is marked by an inability to
concentrate, inattention, and a low tolerance for frustration”.
 “Many sorts of treatments, ranging from learning specific study
strategies to the use of medication, can be effective in dealing with
learning disabilities. In addition, colleges that accept support from
the federal government have a legal obligation to provide people
with diagnosed learning disabilities with appropriate support.
This obligation is spelled out in the Americans with Disabilities Act,
and it provides important legal protections”.

12. Writing Doesn’t Have To Be Painful

13. Writing Doesn’t Have To Be Painful
 Your paper should have a beginning, a middle and an
end; “think of it in terms of the major sections: an
introduction, a description of the background of an
issue, arguments in favor of a position, arguments
against a position, and a conclusion”
 Choose your topic and what audience you are trying
to reach.
 Use free writing and or brainstorming to come up
with ideas.

14. Writing Doesn’t Have To Be Painful
 Do your research. Have evidence and fact based
material to support your ideas.
 Learn the different formats for different styles of
writing.
 Do your writing assignments in parts. Step away
from your project for a period of time and then look
at it with fresh eyes.
 If you paraphrase you must cite the source in APA or
MLA formats.

15. Writing Doesn’t Have To Be Painful
 Read and rethink your ideas before creating your
final draft.
 Carefully check for grammar, punctuation and
technical errors before submitting your work.
 Before you write anything make outlines of the ideas
you come up with and prioritize them.
 Use your notes or out lines to write a first draft.

16. FYI
 There are four major types of college writing:
1. Research paper. (A paper requiring abstract,
critical thinking supported through the collection
of existing information.)
2. Essay. (A paper written from an author's personal
point of view and arguing a particular point).
3. Critical Review. (Criticism of an argument,
article, musical piece, or other work.
4. Journal. (Personal reflections on class readings or
assignments).

17. Making Public Speaking A Little Easier

18. Make Public Speaking A Little Easier
 Most people find speaking to a room of strangers very
intimidating. There are ways to help ease anxiety that
will allow you to deliver a successful presentation.
 Being nervous is normal, accept it.
 Keep in mind that you speak to people all day long so you
already have experience with public speaking.
 Make sure the topic of your discussion and the audience
you are trying to reach are a match.
 Use note cards to help you remember what you are
talking about and to keep you on track.

19. Make Public Speaking Easier
 Make sure that your transitions between the
different parts of your presentation are easily
identified to avoid confusion or loss of interest.
 Just start talking, it will get easier as you continue.
 Use quotations, questions, humor and or props to get
and keep your audience interested.
 Practice your presentation out loud and with an
audience before you actually do it.
 Remember that most audiences are sympathetic.

20. Make Public Speaking Easier
 Avoid using slang language.
 Speak to your audience, not at them.
 Pronunciation and enunciation are key to effective
communication.
 Speak, slowly, clearly and confidently; if you don’t
believe what your saying neither will your audience.
 Always try to make your presentation fun to do and
fun to receive.

21. Summary
 Whether you were in high school last year or decades ago, knowing
skills that will help you with note taking, reading, writing and public
speaking will make all the difference while you are achieving your
educational goals. If you are having difficulties attend seminars and
look for tutorials or tutors that will help you better understand what
you are struggling with.
 Make your education a priority and be on the look out for concepts,
examples and tools that will make the learning process less
complex.
 Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Talk to your instructors, fellow
students, friends and family about topics that puzzle you. Feed back
is thought provoking and allows you to think about things from
different perspectives
 Finally, investing heavily in your study process while you are in
college will help you achieve your long term career goals and allow
you to be more successful in your professional and personal life.

22. References
 Lombardi, Esther, “Why take notes”,
www.about.com
 (Feldman, Robert. P.O.W.E.R. Learning: Strategies
for Success in College and Life, 5th Edition.
McGraw-Hill, 01/06/2010.
 <vbk:0077485408#outline(7.3.2.1)>