Iona Prep Physics Study Skills

 

Believe it or not, there are students who, for one reason or another, actually want to fail in school. Such students should read no further! However, few students actually choose to fail. Some will fail because they simply do not try. They are so wrapped up in their daily activities that they neglect to set aside enough time for school work. Others may be unprepared by previous classes, and are thus simply unable to do the current work. Most students are able and willing to do the work, but some have difficulty setting goals for themselves, organizing time, and being prepared for deadlines. These students need help with organizational skills. Other students try to complete assignments, but have difficulty because they lack some specific study skill.

A number of colleges have set up web pages to help students who find themselves lacking in one or another study skill. I have collected a group of links which you can use to improve your study skills.

• If you have difficulty organizing your time, and being ready well in advance of deadlines, you should read the page on Time Management.
• If you have difficulty when reading assignments are given then check out this page on Reading your textbook.
  DANGER: You will not profit from this section by simply reading it. You must make the method it suggests part the way you operate. Also, check out the SQ3R method of attacking a reading assignment. Here is another college's page on the SQ3R method. As with any skill, you will have to practice SQ3R over and over before it becomes easy.
  If you are doing science reading assignments, then scanning and skimming are very good ways to start.
• If you have difficulty with written assignments , particularly long ones, try reading Writers Write which gives you advice on writing essays. Also check out the very brief Writing Papers .
• If you are writing a lab report then be sure to read my Lab Reports page.
• Do you need to take better notes? Read about the Cornell Method.

• If you, like many students have difficulty and experience anxiety when preparing for examinations, you would profit from reading and following the advice on PREPARING for an examination. and Survival Strategies for TAKING tests as well as Essay Exams.

• Finally, if your calculator gets wrong answers, you are probably making a simple mistake. Read my Calculator Tips page.

• Middle Tennessee State University
• Virginia Tech
• Sweet Briar College
• Georgia College and State University
• University of Melbourne
• Ten Tips to Survive College

Page revised on 6/18/2004 by Br. Robert W. Harris

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