Study Methods by Amber

Study Methods by Amber - January 2014 Scholarship Essay

I have been fortunate enough to have had excellent mentors throughout my educational history. My mentors have provided me with a path that has led to the development of a successful method of studying. Granted, it was a rocky road in the beginning as I invested in the trial and error method. This occurred because we all know, no one learns the same way and what works for one person does not mean it will work for another. The first bit of advice I got is the knowledge that no matter how much I write or highlight in a textbook, I will always be allowed to sell it back. This was an important clue because as I read through textbooks, questions, comments, thoughts, ideas, and concepts always enter my head. When this occurs, I write them in the margins of the textbook. Some people like to use sticky notes, this can be an effective tool as well, until they lose their adhesive, fall off, and become lost in an array of oblivion, never to be seen again. I caution any student who is best friends with the highlighter to stop and think before one highlights. Too much highlighting can become overwhelming and create a distraction from the very idea it is meant to draw the reader’s attention towards. I highlight only key words and not entire phrases. For example, in the sentence “the goal in this chapter is to pinpoint the origins and causes of delinquency and criminal behavior,” only “the goal in this chapter” needs to be highlighted. When working with a definition, I highlight only the word. If such a task does not seem like enough, I may sometimes underline the definition with a pencil. One important method I discovered on my own, which everyone can relate to, is that no matter how diverse I think I am with the English language there will always come a time when I run across a word that I do not know. When this happens, I circle it and write the definition next to it (in the textbook). The simplicity of creating such a note aids in deciphering a confusing sentence. Another study method I just recently adopted is summarizing (in my own words) what I have read. The ability to do so has greatly intensified my level of comprehension within a given topic.

In terms of writing notes, I have a strategic method that allows me to reference any note written that may support, dispute, or add more information to a current note I have just constructed. I assign a number to each new page of my notes. In addition to this, I label every new thought or note in a chronological order which allows me to cross reference it to any notes written in the future. For example, if I am working on page 15 and I have a thought located at number 25 and know I wrote a similar note on page 7, I can mark (in the margin) next to number 25 that I need to review page 7 number x. This organizational method decreases repetitive notes while providing a way to supplement information that is recorded at a later time.

When it comes time to study for a test, I never cram. Studying for 3-4 hours a week is more effective, and less stressful, than studying at the last minute. This method works because it gives time for the information to settle into my long term memory. I also do not have to worry about the possibility of stress influencing the destruction of information, i.e. stress can make my mind go blank once I look at a test. The most important criteria for a successful outcome to learning is, frequent reviews. I constantly review the previous materials as the course progresses. This also assists in placing the information into my long term memory and creates less work in the future.