Success in life is better enhanced when one has proper formal education that would hone skills that would better prepare students for their lives outside the school, both in the professional and the personal. In order to achieve that, students must learn the value of studying and how to do it right. Here are some effective tips on how to study!
Note Taking Method the Cornell Way
According to Professor Walter Pauk of the Cornell University, who also happens to be a
successful author of the book How to Study in College, the Cornelll method of note taking will help students “systematically record, analyze, synthesize, and reflect” on the lessons in class. The method was developed by Pauk in the 1950s and from then on have been use widely by successful students. Here is how it is done:
Divide each page into three sections: one would be for main-note which is on the right side, the other a small cue column on the left, then a summary section which should be at the bottom. Notes in the note-taking areas should, as much as you can, use symbols, abbreviations, and short sentences. Make sure that you only write the main ideas and the key supporting details.
Don’t let 24 hours lapse before you write down cues and questions on the left column. After which, write a summary found at the bottom section. Remember, don’t make it any longer than seven pages.
Reflect on your notes. Ask questions such as “Why is it important?” “How does this connect with what I already know?” Asking questions will be helpful in memorizing as well as in internalizing the information.
Improve Your Reading Comprehension
The SQ3R and OK4R are effective reading techniques and strategies developed by
Francis Robinson (SQ3R) and Dr. Waulter Paulk (OK4R) in 1941 meant to teach military men to better understand what they are reading. The SQ4R is meant to help fully understand what you are reading. The OK4R was also for understanding, but for remembering what you are reading as well. Here is how you do them:
The SQ3R Method
Survey: Get the text’s general ideas by looking at its construction, the graphics, the titles/subtitles, and try to keep in mind the layout. This will help you get the idea being communicated by the author.
Question: Write down questions asked in the titles/subtitles, then put emphasis on the words that stood out to you during the surveying process.
Recite: Enumerate your answers and take note of them. Ask yourself to check if you understood the material and that you can provide responses to your own questions.
Review: Review the answers and check for unanswered questions so you can scan the page for them.
The OK4R Method
Overview: Pay attention to the following: table of contents, headings, introduction, and summaries and find out what the text is about.
Key ideas: Skim the text again and look for ideas. These are usually found in the first senteces of every paragraph. Read texts in bold, italics, and sections in bullet, and check images.
R1: Read through the text. This should be easier now as you have already acquainted yourself about the author’s point.
R2: Close the book and try to remember the main points. Take notes of key words to easily remember them.
R3: Reflect and relate what you have learned to information that you are already familiar with, then identify its importance.
R4: Review afterwards. Review the text in order to refreah your mind.
Source:
Discover Business
Works Cited
“How to Study More Effectivele – Top Methods.” Discover Business. Web. 4 May 2016.
How and When to Take Notes. 2014. Photograph. Iris Reading, LLC. Web. 4 May 2016.
How to Improve Reading Comprehension with PQ4R Strategy in 6 Steps. Photograph.
Very Well. Web. 4 May 2016.
