What’s Your Style?

In order to have good study skills and do well on a test, there is a major detail that you must know about yourself in hopes of achieving your goals!  About halfway through this course, there was a presentation about knowing what type of learners we were, given by Anne F. Farrell.  I really enjoyed this presentation because it allowed me to understand myself a little bit better as a learner. 

There are three types of learners: visual, which means you learn best by viewing or sight, auditory, basically that you are more likely to listen to the speaker, or finally kinesthetic, which means that you learn best by actually doing what you’re learning by a more hands on approach. 

During the presentation the speaker gave the class a website to go to in order to see what type of learners we were: http://www.jobsetc.ca/toolbox/quizzes/styles_results.do?lang=e.  To my surprise, after taking the test offered, I found that I was a kinesthetic learner after all this time of believing myself to be a visual learner.  My test results showed up, “Hearing Learning Style = 50%, Visual Learning Style = 56%, and Kinesthetic Learning Style = 94%”.  Taking this three minute survey can actually help you in the long run.  Although you can use all three styles of learning to the best of your advantage, knowing what kind of learner you are can make things like studying and in class time much easier for you.  Most of the time, students that are strong in all areas are more likely to do better on tests and learning in class, but being well rounded like that is not something every student has.  All in all, here are some ways to fulfill your strategies of learning to the very best.

 If you are a visual learner, there are steps to take to help you do well with studying and on tests.  One of the main things you want to focus on is to find a good seat in class so you can see the board clearly and be able to take notes as well as make any charts you might find helpful.  Taking notes is very important as well as going back to reorganize them.  In your books you can also view photographs and diagrams, and be sure to write down explanations that are given.

For auditory learners, you need to actually hear the information and explanations that the speaker presents to you.  While reviewing the notes you’ve taken in class, it is best for you to act everything out again.  For example, read your notes out loud and in class pay attention to exactly what the professor states.  Another way to effectively increase your learning is to create poems or songs while you study that you may remember while taking a test.

Finally, kinesthetic or those that succeed most by doing or experimenting hands on need to remain extremely focused.  While studying, rewrite the notes you’ve taken in class and if studying from the book, hold it in your hands rather than on the table.  You may also consider moving, and standing up while talking and discussing in a study group, as well as writing while you are talking, hearing an explanation, or reading.

Remember, not everyone is strong in each of these areas!  You need to take what you have and do your best with it.  Whether you try to follow the tips given for your specific way of learning, or if you try to use all three efforts in class, or studying, you will see that in time, you can become a better learner.

A Guide to Studying

As first year college students, we all know the transition from the work in high school, compared to the work that we get in college is a very significant and sometimes difficult change.  The work load is massive and can effect various areas of your life.  As a student, along with many others that made it through their first semester, we are not trying to scare you.  In fact, if you manage your time wisely and know exactly what you’re doing you’ll have no problem at all.  Time management is probably the biggest key element you will have to consider as a college student.  Nonetheless, with time management comes along everything you need to fit into your schedule such as research, note taking, etc.  Of course, one of the most important categories is studying and study skills. 

Throughout my educational experience I’ve heard many people say, “I don’t know how to study”.  It’s a common point that is heard and I would even find myself saying it most of the time as well.  To be honest, when we chose our topics for this blog, I really wanted to do study skills because it is something I’ve learned so much more about since I came to college.  Within the last concluding weeks of this course, we had a presentation on study skills given by the Academic Advisor, Sharon H. Burke that I found to be very helpful.  So, with that said, here are some helpful hints and tips that have guided me, and hopefully can do the same for you and lead you in the right direction with studying. 

When the academic advisor asked us to check off the list of “Test Anxiety”, I nearly said yes to every single one.  This included; drawing a blank on a test, getting nervous, second guessing myself, and remembering information that I couldn’t recall while actually taking the test.  One of the biggest problems students have is saying that they are not going to do well on a test and automatically having a negative attitude about it.  It pays off to remain positive about it, because even if the test is hard you can learn what you missed as answers to your questions and gain more knowledge that way. 

When it comes to studying, and finding a place to study, there are routes everyone needs to take and opportunities to consider as well.  First off, don’t study alone.  Find groups or even a partner to study with because you can learn from each other and by having discussions and by really taking the time to pay specific attention to important topics and details (both major and minor), that will be addressed on the test.  Also, when studying, try not to be distracted especially if you listen to music or have the television on.  You need to have peace and quiet and be comfortable, but not so much that you’ll fall asleep!

Doing well on a test doesn’t just have to do with how well you study at home either.  You can’t save all the information until last minute and try to memorize it in one day or night, because believe, me I’ve tried it!  Doing your assignments, participating in class, and reviewing your notes daily can really secure a higher grade on a test.  In fact, paying attention in class and taking notes is key because the professor strives for you to know the important information.  They might not always tell you it will be on a test or final exam, but they might repeat the information or write down details on the board. 

I’ve used these little helpful points for myself during the first semester and they have really helped a great deal.  Although they might happen to be some things that you hear throughout your life in school, they are honestly a very significant part of your career as a student. 

Starting Early = Success

At the college level you will be receiving alot of information on how to go about doing research, believe me. First, ill tell you about my own experience on this topic because this really took me by surprise and by the time i was finished with everything i had a fried brain. Well, i had a RESEARCH paper due a month from the day it was assigned. So, in high school they gave me a research paper and i waited til the last minute to do them and well they came out to be very good papers because in high school they really did not want that much information. Well, what you think happened? I decided to wait like for a week before the paper was due and well i was stumped! Because my topic was very hard to find information and then analyze that information so i can formulate it all into a big 10 page essay, wew! It was exhausting and it affected my other classes as well because you have to continue on with the other classes. The professors don’t care if you have a 50 page essay due in another class, that is no excuse for not completing their work.

So what im saying is that you really need to pay attention to time and be very attentive to how much work you have to do in every class that you have. Time Management is a huge factor in the college world, every single one of your professors are expecting you to do your part and be responsible for the work that is given to you. Doing research in college is very teadious when you are not prepared like i was. It becomes a nightmare that would make you wish you had to start over.

Tips to help you be succesful in doing Research:

• Start Early
• Understand and Look Over your topic before choosing it
• Create an outline from the first day the assignment is due
• A very useful website is: http://owl.english.purdue.edu
• More resources that are useful would be your Professors,The librarians, and the writing center.
• Always give yourself time to BREATH! Give yourself rest!
• Have Fun and Pace yourself!

Thats about all i can tell you about what to expect or how to be prepared in the college world, because someone expects something from you in life and in college every Professor expects you to do the work!

By: Daniel Lantigua 1597363