Study+Skills

[|Why you should study!!!! - funny]

After talking to several of you over the last few days - I now realise that I need to incorporate HOW to study into what I'm teaching you. Here is some information to look over in your own time. Some of it is my work, most is Mrs O'hagan's.

What you need to work out is...


 * HOW DO YOU LEARN?**

Think about something that you have always remembered....

Now think about how you learnt it....

Is it because someone showed you using pictures?

Is it because someone just told you a story?

Is it because someone helped you remember why associating it with something else?

Is it because someone got you to basically do it for yourself while they showed you how to do it?

Love language and learn best by writing/reading.
 * //Linguistic Learners...//**

Some of you will be visual learners - you need to see something in a visual way; colours help - for you to remember things.
 * //Visual Learners...//**

Some of you just need to have it explained verbally and you get it!!! This is an auditory learner.
 * //Auditory Learners...//**

And some of you will be kinesthetic learners - you need to do something yourself - hands on - to be able to remember it.
 * //Kinesthetic Learners...//**

Most of you will be a combination of the above.

Here's a quick test to help you work it out: [|A quiz to see what kind of smart you are!] Some help sheets - They tell you how to study based on the type of learner you are: [|Study tips]


 * So here some tips for studying (from Mrs O'Hagan)**

1. Make yourself a timetable that spreads your study out evenly over the next 2 weeks. AND THEN STICK TO IT. IF YOU DONT, then you just wasted an hour of your study time!! PS. It does not need to be pretty - another waste of time!!!

2. Give yourself breaks - not in front of the TV because you will never get away from it!! Study for half an hour and then go outside for some fresh air for 10 minutes. Bring in the washing for mum or something. Then go and study for another half an hour.

3. Know what you need to study. Ask your teachers. There could be some topics that you do not need to study for - this will save you some time!!

4. Make sure that you are studying in a place that allows you to concentrate for a good amount of time. Maybe you need to ask Mum and Dad if you can spend time after school in the library (not with your friends, because you will never get anything done). Maybe you need to come to B13 to get some homework and study support. If Mum and Dad know that you have exams, and they know you are just not skivving off, they are more than likely to support this request.

5. Get your class notes and highlight the key points and key examples. There is no point writing them out again... think - do you ever learn anything when you are asked to copy things off the board in class.... NO... so why bother repeating the same process at home!!! Dah!!

6. Create a mindmap/brainstorm/star diagram on a big piece of paper with all the key information on it and blue tack it to your wall. I have loads of huge paper at school if you want some. Colouring pens are also a must for this - otherwise it is no fun!!!

7. Discuss the key points out loud to yourself. Yes you will sound like an idiot!!! I know!! But if you can explain something out loud, chances are you will be able to explain it in written form.

8. Create little cue cards with the key points, diagramsm definitions and examples on them and carry them around with you. When ever you not doing anything (like sitting on the toilet) get them out and memorise them. Once again - speaking out loud is the best option here.

9. Tell your parents about what you are learning and explain it to them. Again - if you can explain it and they can understand it, then you will probably be able to write about it.

10. Do some practice exams. Use the NZQA website to look for English and other past exams.

11. Make sure you are having fun, because when you are having fun, you will do your best learning. So change your frame of mind from one of stress!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! to FUN :) :) :) Get creative. If blogging your thoughts helps - then do it. If writing a song about your work helps -then do it. If dancing while remembering everything helps - then do it. If doing the biggest mindmap in the world with the coolest felt pens works for you, then do it.

JUST DO IT :)