3. sydneytafe.edu.au real skills, endless possibilities
STUDY SKILLS
EFFECTIVE STUDY SKILLS are about more than understanding that you have to do it.
It is not enough to simply "think about" studying; you have to actually do it, and in the process
use information from what you do to improve.
•The value of a schedule
•A schedule saves time
•Making every hour count
•When to study
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Planning
4 Major Calls
1.Personal: shopping, eating, exercise
2.Economic: working
3.Social: sport, movies, seeing friends
4.Academic: study, attending classes
You will need to balance the time you spend on your academic and non- academic activities.
Only YOU can get the right balance! This will depend on your abilities, interests, personality and
ambitions.
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BIG PICTURE
• Have a semester/term/yearly planner
• Record all your deadlines
• Enter start/end term, exam periods, vacation periods
MARK ALL YOUR MAJOR ACTIVITIES
• Class timetable
• Due dates for assessments and exam dates
• Personal activities: weddings, birthdays
• Paid employment times: eg 9am -3pm
• Social: concerts, sporting events
• DISPLAY it where you will see it DAILY
• CROSS OFF the days so you know how much time left before the next assignment and PLAN accordingly
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SET PRIORITIES
• Have a WEEKLY PLANNER
• Set time aside
• DISTRACTIONS: study away from any interruptions
• Go to the library, study lounges, computer lab etc
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MEET DEADLINES
• Set deadlines and meet them
• Break it down to MANAGEABLE CHUNKS
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The SQ3R METHOD
SQ3R stands for:
•Survey/Skim: glance through a chapter in order to identify headings, sub-headings etc.
•Question: what is this about? how will this help me?
•Read in-depth: highlight key points, re-read points, try to relate to information that you
already know.
•Recite: summarise in your own words
•Review: write down the main ideas, using your own words to explain what they mean, it might
help to tell another student or a family member what you have learnt.
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Planning your Assignment Schedule
Analyse
your topic,
brainstorm,
KEYWORDS
Begin your
RESEARCH
Construct a
DETAILED
PLAN
Write your
FIRST
DRAFT
EDIT and
redraft
Finalise
your
REFERENCE
LIST
PROOFREAD
your work
SUBMIT
your work
on time
WEEK ONE WEEK TWO WEEK THREE WEEK FOUR
Ask a friend
to read your
assignment
What is your
argument? What will
be in the introduction,
body, and
conclusion?
FIND RESOURCES
–Readings, library,
journal articles
(back it up with
strong evidence)
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Do you need Help with your Studies?
Book a Librarian to HELP
you with your studies
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Good Luck with your Studies!
For more information, visit the library
subject guide for your subject area: