Based on research and personal experiences, I have revised the following ideas on best studying strategies. Those in need of upgrading their organizational skills, working habits, and studying skills will (hopefully) find them innovative, meaningful, and enjoyable. I call the process Student Studying Styles as many of us work or study in different ways. Over the years, many of these have received different names: preferred learning styles, different teaching ways, recognizing and approaching the dominant intelligences of others, to name just three. Regardless of the terminology, the following titles share a central and conventional belief -- upgrading and improved the working or studying skills of all. As students represent one of the major types of workers, here are some general studying points, listed in alphabetical order.

Attend all classes and take meaningful notes: Your goal here is to write down important ideas and insights shared by your teacher regarding relevant course material. Four weeks from now, you may remember little of what you heard today. Edit and add to your notes within 24 hours to organize and expand the information. Keep all of your subject notes organized either in a file folder, binder, or diskette.

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Be realistic with studying expectations

Complete independent and group assignments on time

Consult with subject instructors for aid: Many students receive incorrect information when they rely on fellow students for accurate subject information. Seeing your subject teacher will provide you with the relevant facts. Moreover, by visiting your subject teacher, s/he becomes well aware that you are now interested and eager to learn ... a fact often to your advantage when your teacher writes up your report card.

Establish a regular studying environment

Evaluate the studying environment: Does where you study provide you with the required quietness and chances to concentrate? Find a well lit and quiet location which is free from societal distractions (internet, cell phone, fridge, TV, pager, etc.) to increase the amount of work completed during study time.

Focus on "boring" subjects

Keep Up with reading assignments: Divide long reading assignments into smaller, more manageable units (i.e., 15 pages). Take short breaks between unit readings. Remember to highlight important text or take notes immediately after reading a unit for more accurate and important information.

Keep on top of school work

Know well the teaching styles of your subject teachers

Learn how to listen and take classroom notes

Learn to say No: Think about what you must accomplish each day of the week. When your friends ask you to go out, learn to set priorities and say NO. Tell such friends that you will see them later, when you have aced the examination.

Outline goals for each subject

Practice predicting exam questions: This is an important way to prepare for examinations and class tests, but especially critical for essay examination. After you identify five to ten possible questions, check them out with your subject teacher well before the exam so that you may prepare your response before the test.

Procrastination is a no-no!

Read examination directions carefully: Many of us lose points on tests and exams because we fail to read the directions (i.e., complete 4 of the following essays) accurately. Upon reading the directions, skim through the entire test or exam for value points; be sure to leave sufficient time to complete high point questions (i.e., an essay worth 50 out of 100 total points).

Remember textbook information for class tests and term examinations

Review and rewrite subject notes regularly

Reward yourself for getting work done: If you want to play on the internet, watch television or go out to see a movie, plan to do your school work first. Use the movie or show or internet as a reward for accomplishing your goals. You will enjoy it more when you know you are ready for class.

Schedule regular study periods

Set rewards for reaching deliberately set goals

Start assignments as soon as they are given

Start study sessions on time

Study in short periods and often

Study most difficult subjects first

Study when you are alert and awake

Select a realistic time and practical place to study efficiently

Set up a realistic weekly home study schedule

Set goals for each courses: After receiving the course syllabus, determine what grade is accomplishable in each course and make a plan for how you will go about achieving that grade.

Study for exams via daily review and reciting information aloud: Reviewing information daily in small units decreases the time needed to "cram" for weekly tests, mid-terms and final exams.

Take regular study breaks

Understand and remember textbook content in different ways

Use classroom and home study time wisely

Vary the work when studying

01. Complete the Studying Style Inventory (SSI) immediately below to develop your personal SSI Profile.

02. Use your SSI Profile to highlight areas for improvement.

03. Go to the right hand column, in Box 1 below, to select applicable Studying Style Units.

Students currently attending an elementary, secondary, college, or university program often realize that they have ineffective study habits. They may be equally unaware of which skills they lack, skills so necessary to better report card grades. In order to find out about personal study habits ... or lack thereof, read the following items. Make note of the numerals located to the left of applicable items. This is not a test, thus there are no time limits. And, as all of us differ so markedly, there are no wrong ways to study, only ways that are best for you.

01. I spend an excessive amount of time studying.
02. Before a class test or term examination, I often spend hours cramming.
03. I never have enough time for my academic life and my personal life.
04. I do much of my home studying with a radio or television on.
05. When I study for any length of time, I become distracted and tired.
06. I go to my daily classes, but I always seem to daydream or fall asleep.
07. A day after I take my notes down, I can not understand them.
08. When I am taking notes, I never seem to write down the correct information.
09. I start to review my notes a night or two before the class test or term exam.
10. I can not remember what I read by the time I get to the end of a chapter.
11. When I am reading a textbook, I find it hard to select relevant information.
12. I can not keep up with all of my reading assignments.
13. I lose many points on essay tests even though I know the material well.
14. My mind goes blank in the middle of a test.
15. During an examination or a test, I often run out of time.
16. Multiple choice tests, true-false tests, and term examinations drive me crazy.
17. I know what work I need to get done, but I just can not make myself do it.
18. I get frustrated with large assignments because I do not know where to start.
19. I spend too much time doing easy assignments, not the more important ones.
20. I have so much information to learn that I just can not possibly remember it all.
21. I can not remember what I studied when it comes time for a test.
22. Whenever I study for exams, I feel so upset that I just can not think straight.
23. During tests or exam, I often feel sick, start shaking, and/or sweating.
24. My regular classroom teacher is not very interesting.
25. I think that my Science/English/History etc. teacher does not like me.
26. I have problems with how the teacher presents the information.
27. I memorized all of my class notes, but I still did not do well on tests.
28. I stare at my notes for hours, but I just can not seem to remember a thing.
29. I have problems organizing and writing essays.

If you identified two or more numerals in any one of the categories from the left column below, the units listed in the right hand column of Box 1 immediately below will improve your studying skills in that area. To learn more about the Studying Styles Units, email cmorris@igs.net

Box 1:  Student Studying Style

Studying Style Inventory	Studying Style Units
1, 13, 15, 18, 29	01 Essay writing skills
1, 2, 3, 19, 29	02 Day timers   03 Using free time wisely
3, 4, 5, 6, 25	04 Concentration   05 Common sense strategies
7, 8, 9, 24, 26	06 How to listen in class   07 Taking class notes   08 Highlighting relevant points
10, 11, 12, 20, 21	09 Reading a textbook   10 Making sense of a textbook   11 Tips on remembering reading
1, 17, 18, 19, 29	12 How to avoid procrastination   13 Homework completion
1, 2, 12, 20, 21	14 Studying efficiently   15 Successful time management strategies
2, 14, 15, 16,22, 23, 27	16 Test Taking Tips   17 Problem Solving Strategies
4, 6, 24, 25, 26	18 Working SMARTER not Harder
14, 20, 27, 28, 29	19 Memory techniques   20 Long-term memory stores