pt. I. Permanent skills -- 1. Setting goals -- Marching to your own rhythm -- Resisting the tug of the crowd -- Harnessing the power of "imaging" -- Pursuing quality instead of quantity -- Changing the meaning of GPA -- Defining a goal -- Devising a plan -- Taking action -- Final words -- Have you missed something? -- Words in context -- The word history system -- 2. Controlling your time -- Saving time -- Finding "hidden" time -- Changing your time habits -- Sticking to a schedule -- Dividing your time into blocks -- Thinking in terms of tasks -- Final words -- Ten valuable tidbits about time -- Have you missed something? -- Words in context -- The word history system -- 3. Staying focused -- Eliminating distractions -- Reducing external distractions -- Discouraging internal distractions -- Cultivating concentration -- Making lists -- Taking breaks -- Maintaining a balance -- Final words -- Have you missed something? -- Words in context -- The word history system -- 4. Defending your memory -- Making an effort to remember -- Avoiding pseudo-forgetting -- Finding a reason to remember -- Setting the size and shape of your memories -- Limiting what you choose to learn -- Arriving at meaningful patterns -- Strengthening memories -- Correcting new memories to old -- Using recitation to rehearse -- Allowing memories time to jell -- Studying in short periods -- Coming to terms with plateaus -- Final words -- Have you missed something? -- Words in context -- The word history system -- 5. Managing stress -- Eliminating avoidable stress -- Discouraging procrastination -- Minimizing multitasking -- Sidestepping common stressors -- Improving your attitude -- Learning to relax -- Improving your self-esteem -- Taking control of your life -- Following a healthy routine -- Developing good eating habits -- Improving your sleep -- Getting some exercise -- Finals words -- Have you missed something? -- Words in context -- The word history system. pt. II. Enrichment skills -- 6. Improving your reading -- Learning the limitations of speed -- Watch your eye movements -- Hearing your silent speech -- Keeping comprehension in mind -- Allowing time for consolidation -- Developing ways to pick up the PACE -- P : increasing your preparation -- A : determining our altitude -- C : reading in clusters -- E : drawing on experience -- Final words -- Have you missed something? -- Words in context -- The word history system -- 7. Building a lasting vocabulary -- Harnessing the power of interest -- Choosing the right tools -- Learning from a dictionary -- Preserving your words on index cards -- Exploring your personal frontier -- Understanding how words are learned -- Recognizing frontier words -- Applying the frontier system -- Treating words like chemical compounds -- Learning roots and prefixes -- Using the fourteen master words -- Appreciating the value of history -- Finding books that tell the stories of words -- Final words -- Have you missed something? -- Words in context -- The word history system -- 8. Thinking visually -- Using your whole brain -- Improving your understanding -- Making your memory stronger -- Reading pictures -- Using the OPTIC system -- Learning the language of graphs -- Watching out for distorted data -- Writing in pictures -- Adding illustrations to your notes -- Turning abstract ideas into maps -- Final words -- Have you missed something? -- Words in context -- The word history system. pt. III. Note-taking skills -- 9. Adopting a note-taking mindset -- Preparing to read -- Getting acquainted with your textbook -- Surveying specific assignments -- Preparing to listen -- Using triple-A listening -- Setting the table for the next lecture -- Final words -- Have you missed something? -- Words in context -- The word history system -- 10. Taking effective notes -- Using the Cornell system -- Marking your textbook -- Gathering information -- Being inquisitive -- Following the signs -- Recording efficiently -- Dealing with special cases -- Pulling things together -- Leaving lectures -- Finishing readings -- Summing up -- Final words -- Have you missed something? -- Words in context -- The word history system -- 11. Mastering your notes -- Reviewing to cement understanding -- Targeting key ideas with the Q system -- Seeing the big picture with summaries -- Reciting to strengthen memories -- Reciting out loud -- Reciting by writing -- Reflecting to add wisdom -- Making the case for reflection -- Using techniques to help you reflect -- Final words -- Have you missed something? -- Words in context -- The word history system. pt. IV. Test-taking skills -- 12. Managing test anxiety -- Preparing yourself academically -- Starting early -- Staying on top of your coursework -- Organizing yourself -- Cramming systematically -- Preparing yourself mentally -- Finding out about the exam -- Getting acquainted with the test site -- Maintaining a positive attitude -- Final words -- Have you missed something? -- Words in context -- The word history system -- 13. Answering objective tests -- Choosing effective study methods -- Using the Q system -- Becoming a study "switch hitter" -- Understanding each question type -- Separating true from false -- Choosing the right answer -- Finding the best match -- Completing a sentence -- Moving systematically through the test -- Reading before you answer -- Marking methodically -- Final words -- Have you missed something? -- Words in context -- The word history system -- 14. Tackling essay tests -- Moving systematically through the test -- Reading before you write -- Jotting before you answer -- Mapping out your time -- Knowing the basics of writing an essay -- Understanding each question with precision -- Supplying the correct answer -- Supporting your points -- Operating under time constraints -- Getting right to the point -- Organizing your essay carefully -- Keeping your writing neat -- Final words -- Have you missed something? -- Words in context -- The word history system -- Appendix. Answers.
Summary:
This best-selling text has helped over a million students transform adequate work into academic success. Based on widely tested educational and learning theory, How to Study in College teaches useful study techniques such as visual thinking, active listening, concentration techniques, note-taking strategies, and test taking, while incorporating material on life skills. Questions in the Margin, a useful in-text study tool, encourages students to reflect on content and then formulate and record questions based on the most important points conveyed in the text. A second TOC featuring brief summaries of each chapter has been added. The section on note taking leads students through the before, during, and after of the process in one systematic approach. The PACE system for Reading Improvement presents a systematic approach to improving reading that counteracts the claims of speed reading. Managing Stress in Chapter 5 tackles the modern phenomenon of multitasking and offers some common-sense strategies for overcoming its pitfalls.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.