Online Module #3a:

Time Management & Study Skills

ENG 100.12 / AU10

 “Seven Secrets
for Academic Success”
Secret #1: Go to Class!

Before Class:
◦ Read assigned material!
◦ Review notes from previous class.
◦ Anticipate what will be covered in class.
* Lecture will move along at the pace that is comfortable for
your instructor, but that may not always be best for you.

* Reviewing the material before class will give you an

advantage when trying to follow and understand your
instructor.
Secret #1: Go to Class!
During Class:
◦ GO TO CLASS!
◦ Sit in the first couple of rows.
◦ Be an active listener! To be an active listener you have to do
more than just sit and listen. This means taking notes, asking
questions, and concentrating on the instructor. Z
Z

Z
Z

After Class:
◦ Review notes for completeness
◦ Highlight / rewrite important concepts
 Research shows that you will forget most of what you learn
in a lecture within a few hours, unless you review it
immediately. A couple of minutes of work now is worth
several hours of work later.
Secret #2: Make school your job!

Start your day here, end your day here!

1. Get up in the morning.
2. Eat breakfast.
2. Leave for work.
4. Stay at work all day.
5. Come home at the end of the day.

By being on campus all day, you will catch

the best times to study:

Right before and right after class!

Secret #2: Make school your job!
More reasons to make school your job:

You will establish a You will maximize your efficiency.

routine.  How much time do you think you
 Studying at the same time waste:
programs your mind to ◦ walking back and forth to your
improve concentration. dorm
 Studying at night can take ◦ chit-chatting with friends
as much as 1.5 times what
it would take during the ◦ playing video games / watching
day. daytime TV
◦ taking “cat-naps”
 Use the time between classes to study,
and you will be able to take some time
at the end of your day to relax!
Secret #3: Teamwork!

“Students learn best when they are actively involved in

the process. Researchers report that, regardless of the
subject matter, students working in small groups
tend to learn more of what is taught and retain it
longer than when the same content is presented in
other instructional formats.”

From Tools for Teaching by Barbara Gross Davis

Secret #3: Teamwork!
The best way to learn is to teach!
 How?
◦ Find a quiet location
◦ Find a group with the same dedication levels and goals as you
◦ PREPARE for group meetings on your own (read new
material, set up homework problems, etc.)
◦ Take 10 minute breaks every hour or so
 Looking for a quiet study location? Try:
◦ Math & Stats Learning Center
◦ Younkin Success Center
◦ Science and Engineering Library
◦ Physics or Chemistry Tutor Rooms
◦ Scott Lab Study Rooms
Secret #4: Correct exams, homework, and quizzes!

Why is it important to correct

your past mistakes?

 Most of the learning in math, science, and engineering courses

comes from solving problems.
 Most professors will expect you to correctly solve engineering
problems on exams.
Secret #4: Correct exams, homework, and quizzes!

 By correcting past assignments and tests, you accomplish three

important things:
1. You understand the correct way to solve the given problem.
2. You also understand why your original solution was not
correct.
3. By writing, you actively reinforce the correct way to solve
the problem. (Reading the answer key is not enough!)

 Plus, you can use corrections as study guides for future exams!
Secret #5: Take notes & review them!

 Putting information in your own words helps you to process the

material.

 Check with the instructor to see if they will be providing copies of

power point slides or outlines for chapters; if they do, use them,
but take liberal notes in your own words to aid your understanding.

 Remember to review your notes right after class!

◦ Fill in anything you missed
◦ Highlight important concepts.
◦ This will help you remember the material later!
Secret #6: Use a planner!

Time is your most valuable commodity!

• Managing your time will enable you to

have the college experience that you want
– academically and socially.

• Your studies should be your first priority,

but with a little advanced planning you
can fit in lots of other things as well!
Secret #6: Use a planner!

How much time should I be studying?

 Most college classes require two to three hours of work per

week for each hour of credit in the course. (Some require more!)

 For instance, if you are taking 15 credit hours, you will need to
study 30-45 hours each week, in addition to the time you spend
in class.

 NOTE: Even if completing the homework takes less time than you
budgeted for a course, you should spend the remainder of that
time reviewing notes, reading ahead, etc…
Secret #6: Use a planner!
PLAN AHEAD BE FLEXIBLE

 Create a weekly schedule of  Trade time; don't steal it.

balanced activities  Be flexible.
 Set daily/weekly/monthly  When unexpected events take up
goals your planned study time, decide
 Write in classes in ink immediately when you are going to
(because you should never make it up and adjust your
miss class!) schedule for the week.
 Pencil in…
◦ study times (inc. location)
◦ office hours (inc. location)
◦ work schedule
◦ extra curricular activities
◦ social time
 EXTRA TIPS

 Ideally, when you are studying for an exam, you are not learning
new material but rather reviewing the material that you’ve
already learned throughout the quarter.

 Putting in a consistent amount of study time per course on a

weekly basis will greatly reduce the amount of time that you
spend “cramming” for exams.
Secret #7: If you are having trouble, ask for help!
• Where can you find help for your
coursework?
– Instructors & TAs
– Classmates
– Tutor Rooms • Where can you find help for time
management / study skills
difficulties?
– Younkin Success Center

• Where can you find help for

personal issues?
– Counseling & Consultation
– Student Wellness Center
Secret #7: If you are having trouble, ask for help!

And of course,
ASK YOUR ADVISOR!

 We are here to help you be successful.

 If you need help and don’t know where to go, ask us! It is part of
our job to be familiar with the resources available on campus.

 Please don’t wait if you are having difficulties – the sooner you
contact us, the sooner we can help you!
Wrap - Up
 The “Seven Secrets for Academic Success” are:
◦ Go to class;
◦ Make school your job;
◦ Teamwork;
◦ Correct exams, homework, and quizzes;
◦ Take notes and review them;
◦ Use a planner; and
◦ If you are having trouble, ask for help!

 Continue with On-line Module #4b to learn how to effectively

use office hours and tutor rooms!