Or …
	The Basics of Being a Student

	Your college career is big business—run it like one!

	Ask yourself, “Would I pay myself for the work I am doing now?”

	Do short, regular review and study
	Use course outline to guide your study
	Study more difficult subjects first
	Try making flash cards
	Create study packages with all of your information on each key topic—notes, field trips, lab manuals, etc.

	Survey, Question, Read, Recite, Review

	Before you begin reading, take a few minutes for preliminary survey of the chapter
	Notice any graphs, charts, maps, etc.—they are there to make a point

	Formulate questions about the material

	Read the assignment
	As you read, try to answer the questions that you formulated in the previous step

	After reading a section, recite the important ideas from it

	Repeat the question and recite steps
	See how much you can restate in your own words
	Review within 24 hours
	“How much do you really remember?”

	A Note-taking Method

	Use a large loose-leaf notebook
	Use only one side of the paper
	Draw a line 2 ½” from left side of the paper
	This is your recall column
	During the lecture, record notes in paragraph form
	After lecture, read through notes to make them more legible
	In the column, job down ideas or keywords of lecture

	Cover up the right hand portion of your notes & recite general ideas of lecture
	Jot down questions for instructor in recall column

	Watch for cues from the instructor as to what information is relevant
	If there are gaps in notes, trade with a classmate
	Be selective, but DO write down everything from overheads & Angels
	After the lecture, review notes within 24 hours

	Arrive early and relax
	Avoid sharing ideas with other students at the last minute
	Read all directions carefully
	Pay attention to the scoring plan
	Look over whole test before answering
	Edit, check and proofread your answers—be a “bitter ender”—stay working until they make you go

	Cut out careless errors
	Monitor your time—allow enough time to go over the test & make sure you have not left an item blank
	Do not start second guessing & changing original answers
	See if you can answer the questions without looking at possible answers

	Be determined to be “on” for the duration of the exam
	Avoid thinking of yourself in a negative sense
	Don’t forget the basics—you are a total person, not just a test taker—sleep & get good nutrition
	Reward yourself after the test

	Discuss test content with Instructor
	Spread review over several days rather than cramming
	Take a practice test under exam-like conditions
	Don’t study immediately prior to test—relax!

	Tense and relax muscles, take several deep breaths
	Practice calming yourself by saying “This test will not permanently affect my life”

	Books and videos on study skills and test-taking techniques may be found in the library in the 371.3’s
	Study Skills seminars are given quarterly in the library
	Please ask the library staff for assistance