Online Study Tips


Tips for Success

UA Early College offers unique opportunities, it also poses some unique challenges, so it's worth investing a little time to discover where you and distance education make a good "fit," and - more importantly - where you may not.

Developing Good Reading Skills

One of the things that helps you read successfully is to have a strategy. Part of the strategy is to have on hand the tools you may need, such as pencils, highlighters, sticky tabs, and a dictionary.

Use these tools effectively. Don't highlight everything. Rather, highlight those items that you find particularly interesting, provocative, or argumentative, or that you or your instructor think are important. Use sticky tabs to mark the pages with important information.

Once you have the tools you'll need, divide the reading process into three steps:

Pre-read the material.

With pre-reading, you skim the material, looking at titles and headings, the first few paragraphs of each chapter, chapter summaries, boxed or highlighted information, and pictures, charts, and captions. Before you begin reading, set a goal for your study session. For example, "I'm going to spend 30 minutes reading and reviewing the first 10 pages of my social studies chapter, paying special attention to the lesson objectives in my learning guide."

During the pre-reading phase, be sure to read your learning guide so that you know what your instructor thinks is important. Also, think about what you already know about the material. Enter the reading using your own experience and knowledge.

Read the material thoroughly.
Several techniques work no matter what you are reading:

Question as you read.

  • Don't take items at face value.
  • Highlight what you think is important. Don't highlight facts - you can review them later. Rather, highlight arguments, examples, and those things that jump out at you (ah-ha moments).
  • Highlight vocabulary and look up any words you don't know.
  • Also highlight examples or case studies, that is, the content that makes the material relevant to you and that enhances your comprehension.

Review and study the material.
Of course, you're going to want to review and study the material, but do it after you've completed your reading - maybe several days later. Don't try to do everything all at one time.

As you study, use the learning guide to remind yourself what the learning objectives are. Review your materials periodically throughout the course. Periodic review helps you build your knowledge and eliminates the need to cram before exams. Study with a friend if possible.

Improving Time Management
Manage your time carefully by following these tips:

  • Read course syllabus completely
  • Read course calendar completely and mark deadlines on your personal calendar or in your personal planner.
  • College instructors expect you to be responsible for meeting all deadlines, so work ahead.
  • Set aside specific days and time to work on your course. In setting up a schedule, weigh your other activities and responsibilities, and think about when you do your best work. By all means, avoid the temptation to skip your regular study time.



Good study habits
Sometimes, studying is the last thing we want to do. The TV, social activities, the laundry, the dog - something else always calls. As a result, studying - especially in e-learning courses, where no one's standing in front of you urging you on - requires extra discipline.

Where to Study
If you want to improve your concentration and efficiency as a student, develop a place to study that is just that - a place where you go to work on academics.

  • Find a comfortable place to do your work that has as few distractions as possible.
  • Tool-up the environment with all your study needs.
  • Keep your work area neat and pleasant looking.
  • If you like to listen to music while studying, choose a mellow CD.
  • Avoid relaxing while working. Create a work atmosphere.

How to Study
The following study tips will help you whether you're taking a distance education course or a traditional course.

  • Study in chunks. For example, study for 20 to 50 minutes, then take a 5- to 10-minute break. You'll feel refreshed, and you'll avoid eye strain from looking at your computer too much. Make the most of breaks by doing something entirely different.
  • Vary what you're studying to avoid boredom or fatigue.
  • Identify the times of day when you learn most effectively. For most people, it's best to study during the day or early evening. Remember that it may be harder to concentrate right after eating, after coming in from the cold, or after exercising.
  • As you study a lesson, look for its main points. List them or arrange them in an outline or chart. You'll soon find yourself using the main points as hooks upon which to hang details.
  • Ask yourself questions, review your notes regularly, and discuss key concepts with your instructor, friends, and family.

Memory

  • Memory is learning that persists. In order to combat forgetting, develop the habit of reviewing your course materials regularly and purposefully.
  • Before you attempt to learn new material, look over previous chapters or notes. Think about what you already know.
  • After you've learned something new, order and organize what you learned using stars, arrows, additional comments, and so forth.
  • Integrate new material with what you already know.
  • In preparing for an exam, remember that this is not the time to be cramming unlearned material. It is the time to synthesize what you already know.
  • Keep your review sessions brief. Set a time limit for the review and stick to it.
  • Outline and organize from memory.
  • Recite key points and concepts in writing or out loud to yourself or to a friend.