Successful Study Secrets

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 Introduction
• Studying is a useful skill that can be applied
from school-going children to adults.
• Picking up good studying skills applies not just
for passing tests but for life-long learning as
well.
• Studying can involve picking up a new skill for
work, learning new concepts in a course,
absorbing knowledge for a new hobby or even
improving your everyday life.

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 Overview
• In this Successful Study Secrets course, you
will have a plethora of tips, methods and
secrets that aim to help you study better.
• If you have not already done so, please visit
www.facebook.com/OlevelScienceTuition/
and ‘LIKE’ our page for more future free
resources.

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 Overview
• Habits
• A.S.P.I.R.E.
• Learning Style
• Environment
• Reading
• Extra Aid

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 Habits
• Take responsibility for yourself
• Recognize that in order to succeed you need to make
decisions about your priorities, your time, and your resources
• Center yourself around your values and principles
• Don't let friends and acquaintances dictate what you consider
important
• Put first things first
• Follow up on the priorities you have set for yourself, and don't
let others, or other interests, distract you from your goals
• Discover your key productivity periods and places
• Find spaces where you can be the most focused and
productive.

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 Habits
• Prioritize these for your most difficult study
challenges
• Consider yourself in a win-win situation
• When you contribute your best to a class, you, your
fellow students, and even your teacher will benefit.
• Your grade can then be one additional check on your
performance
• First understand others, then attempt to be
understood
• Look for better solutions to problems

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 A.S.P.I.R.E.
• A: Approach/attitude/arrange
– Approach your studies with a positive attitude and
arrange your schedule to eliminate distractions
• S: Select/survey/scan
– Select a reasonable chunk of material to study
– Survey the headings, graphics, pre- and post
questions to get an overview
– Scan the text for keywords and vocabulary: mark
what you don’t understand

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 A.S.P.I.R.E.
• P: Piece together the parts:
– Put aside your books and notes
– Piece together what you've studied, either alone, with a
study pal or group:
summarize what you understand.
• I: Investigate/inquire/inspect:
– Investigate alternative sources of information you can refer
to:
other text books, websites, experts, tutors, etc.
– Inquire from support professionals (academic support,
librarians, tutors, teachers, experts,) and other resources
for assistance
– Inspect what you did not understand.

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 A.S.P.I.R.E.
• R: Reexamine/reflect/relay
Reexamine the content | Reflect on the material | Relay
understanding
– Reexamine: What questions are there yet to ask? Is there
something I am missing?
– Reflect: How can I apply this to my project? Is there a new
application for it?
– Relay: Can I explain this to my fellow students? Will they
understand it better if I do?
• E: Evaluate/examine/explore:
– Evaluate your grades on tests and tasks: look for a pattern
– Examine your progress: toward achieving your goals
– Explore options: with a teacher, support professional,
tutor, parent if you are not satisfied.

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 Learning Styles

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• Visual (spatial):You prefer using pictures,
images, and spatial understanding.
• Aural (auditory-musical): You prefer using
sound and music.
• Verbal (linguistic): You prefer using words,
both in speech and writing.
• Physical (kinesthetic): You prefer using your
body, hands and sense of touch.
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• Logical (mathematical): You prefer using logic,
reasoning and systems.
• Social (interpersonal): You prefer to learn in
groups or with other people.
• Solitary (intrapersonal): You prefer to work
alone and use self-study.

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 Environment
• It may be that changing where you study will bring better
results.
• If you need background sounds… A coffee shop can provide a
stimulating community,
background noise, relaxed atmosphere, wifi, and coffee! It can
be convenient for small groups, studying with a partner or
alone.
• If you need peace… Your school's study lounge can also be
convenient
for studying alone or in small groups.
• If you need familiarity… Your bedroom/personal space can be
convenient
to fit your schedule, as well as have all your study materials at
hand.
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 Environment
• Kitchens are conducive to studying,
with good lighting and open space for all your materials. You
also have food to perk you up.
• If you focus better in your basement, great!
Music can make for good background noise, but make sure it
stays in the background: don't lose track of what you are
studying.
• Your living room is a great place to study
with comfortable seating and enough space, but avoid the
distractions or projects around the house. If you love watching
the television, it may not be the best option for a study space.
• The library offers professional services,
a quiet environment, Wi-Fi, and even windows with a view!
An empty classroom provides an even quieter, even secluded
space.
• Pick the right place with the best results for your studying!

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 Reading
• Studying involves picking up new knowledge,
understanding it and being able to apply it.
• In order to study and learn effectively, the first
step often involves reading.
• With clear and good way of reading, your
studying process can become simpler and
faster.

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 Reading
• First, get a perspective
• Review the assignment in the syllabus and any handouts
• Survey the chapter for how the content is organized; get the "big
picture"
This is not to fully understand, rather develop preliminary
associations of bits of information that later will help you
understand
Quickly page through the introduction, the summary, vocabulary
list, self-test questions, headings, boldfaced material, major
graphics, etc.
Notice the major concepts, definitions, descriptions, causes, effects
and arguments.
• Check out any media, DVD, recordings and website (if available)
• No need to take notes yet

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 Reading
• First reading is to ensure the main purpose is simply to
read and get a good idea of the material: what you
understand, and what you do not
• Read sentences, paragraphs and short passages with 1-
second pauses.
• Look back and forth between words and related
graphics
• From time to time, ask yourself if you are "on track" to
understanding
• When you notice that the author is using comparisons
and examples, link it to concepts and knowledge
taught

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 Reading
• Take breaks if you feel your progress begins to
slow down
• If you return to reading after an absence,
scan the text and your notes again before
reading to cue associations

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 Reading
• Review of reading is the next stage when you reinforce
or revisit parts that you did not understand
• Use highlighting, underlining, post-its
• Jot down new vocabulary, short notes for quick
recapitulation
• Create mind maps, summaries, images
• Read aloud, associate with movements or even other
sensory cues
• You can come up with your unique way to explain
tough ideas. Humour, familiar names or wacky links
sometimes work for some people.

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 Extra Aid
• Know the sources of help:
• Teachers, tutors or seniors
• Library resources such as past examination
solutions, guide books, practice books
• Useful websites, videos, DVD
• Study groups or consultation with instructor /
coach / teacher

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 Extra Aid
• Collate a notebook / cheat sheet that contains
essential tips, pointers, key ideas
• Only include information that you:
• Need to review before any test
• Must memorize
• Need to complete exercises or solve problems
• Need for labs, experiments, future lectures,
handling key situations etc.
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 Closure
• We hope that this Successful Study Secrets
course has been useful for you.
• Remember, the best way to improve your
studying is doing it.
• Practice makes perfect!
• If you have not already done so, please visit
www.facebook.com/OlevelScienceTuition/
and ‘LIKE’ our page for more future free
resources. Thank you!
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