Your time is limited, so learn to use it well!

 

Careful planning and time management helps you steer clear of the need to cram for an exam or forgetting an assignment and or not handing homework in on time.

 

Think about how you manage your time

 

Use your time efficiently to ensure you get everything done         

1.  Use the after school study provided so that you will have less work to do at home.

2.  If you don’t have a particular subject to work on, review notes or read ahead.

 

Work on projects as soon as they are assigned to avoid having to rush them.   Break them up into smaller tasks, it will make the job easier and reduce stress.

 

Arrive to class on time.

 

Keep your school journal with you at all times

Record homework, assignments, projects and appointments when you get them.

 

Ask your teacher for help.

 

Avoid missing school

You will miss out on teaching

You will miss out on learning

You will miss out on homework correction

You will miss out on discussions and assignments

You still have the work to do when you return.

 

Set aside a definite time each night to study and to do your homework, as this will help you establish a routine.

 

Get to work straight away

Don’t waste time talking on the phone or using the internet or watching TV.

 

Cross off homework in your school journal as you complete it.

 

Spend more time studying the subjects you find the hardest.

 

Review and go back over each day what you have covered in class.

 

 

 

 

Find a quiet place to study and do your homework.  

Do not listen to the radio, television or music while studying.

Even if you think it helps, research has shown that it interferes with your ability to concentrate and your ability to retain information.

 

Always study in the same place, in a well-lit area

 

Assemble and keep your study supplies to hand 

These should include a dictionary and CD recorder, calculator, ruler, pens, pencils, erasers, paper, stapler, paper clips, note cards and highlighters.

 

Keep your study area clean, tidy and well organised 

Tidy it each day after you have completed your last session of study.

 

Set aside a definite time each evening as this will help you establish a routine.

 

Schedule half hour blocks of time to study

Include a five-minute break between every two blocks.

 

 

Survey       Surveying a chapter means you skim through it noting the headings.

       This gives you a general impression of what the chapter is about.

 

Question    Ask yourself what you expect to learn from the chapter.

       Keep these questions in mind as you read.

 

Read          Read the chapter in detail highlighting the main ideas.

 

Notes         Make a set of notes as you go along

 

Recall        Recall by closing the book and trying to remember all the main ideas.

       Write them down.

 

Review       Review by reading over the notes.

       Check that your recall was correct.

 

• Check exam papers for the topic you have been studying

See if you can answer an exam question.

 

• When learning diagrams close your book and attempt to recreate the diagram

explaining aloud what you are doing. When finished refer back to the original and

correct mistakes.

 

• Revision is one of the most important study skills.

Each revision session reduces the rate of forgetting.

Aim to revise at least 2 subjects per night.

 

• Homework should include all the following forms:  

written, learning, reading, practical, oral and aural.

 

• Try to learn while you are reading

Think about what you are reading. Recall what you have read.

Do this out loud.

• If you find it difficult to understand what you are reading

Stop after a few paragraphs and summarise in your own words either out loud or by taking notes. If you are still having difficulties, read the section again slowly and look up words you do not understand.

• Look at photos, charts, maps or illustrations that accompany the text to help you understand the material.

 

 

 

• Make notes when studying

They will help you retain what you have learnt and will be an invaluable aid when revising.

• Use highlighters to mark different topics.
• Date each page.
• Keep notes short - use headings and summarise.
• Evaluate (assess) what you read before writing it down.
• Make short notes in your own words - do not rewrite the book!
• Mind mapping is a useful aid to study.
• Develop your own shorthand to help speed up your note taking.
• Make a list of new vocabulary terms.
• Keep all your subject notes together.
• Invest in a folder/ring binder for each subject.
• Try to keep up, and catch up as soon as possible if you fall behind.

 

 

 

The following are general guidelines:

 

 

 

Remember

Practice makes Perfect

 

 

Make up a Timetable Plan and use it to plan for everyday homework and for revision for exams.

Include times for your classes; travel to and from school, meals, sport and other activities.

Be specific about what subject you are going to study during each study session.

Your study plan should be flexible enough to allow for the unexpected so don’t timetable every minute of every day.

Start with the subject you find most difficult. Change the order of subjects after the most difficult so that you do not always study the same subject when you are most tired.

Keep a record of your study plans. Looking back at the amount of work you have done will reassure you when / if you are worried that you have not hard enough.

 

What you do today, Right Now,

Will have an Accumulated Effect

on All Your Tomorrows !