Part 1: Manage Your Time - Make a
Schedule
Organizing time has been helpful to many students. Scheduling
your time will help you become more efficient. Like any other skill,
it takes practice. Establish long term, intermediate and short term
time goals. Don't give up if you don't meet all your goals. Continue
revising and reviewing weekly to develop a system that works for
you.
1. Schedule long term routine commitments.
- Block out time on your calendar to avoid conflict with
other activities, e.g. Classes, Clubs, Activities and Sports
- Include family activities, vacations, etc.
- Make a new schedule each week
2. Schedule short term commitments.
- List events, assignments, projects, tests, e.g. Math
quiz Wed., Science project due Friday
- List work to be done, e.g. Read 50 pgs. in History, 150
pgs. in English by Friday
- Plan ahead to study a little each day. Don't try to
"cram" right before a test. The night before a test,
plan to review of what you've already studied
3. Make a specific schedule each day.
• Carry a card or planner and write a specific schedule
- 3:30-4:30 pm Swim practice
- 4:30-5:30 pm Practice Math Review, study for quiz
- 5:30-6:30 pm Dinner with the family
- 6:30-7:30 pm Read History pages 175-200
- 7:30-8:30 pm Read English pages 45-95
• At the end of the day, see what you've accomplished!
- Cross out items when complete; take a moment to feel
good about what you've done!
- Add any incomplete items to the next day's schedule
Part 2: Note-Taking & Organization
1. Take and keep notes in a notebook.
- Make your notes legible enough to read easily
- Set a goal, e.g. to take 2 pages of notes each class
- List questions when you aren't certain of the meaning
- Spend time rereading the notes and thinking about them
(not rewriting them because you couldn't read what you wrote
the first time)
- Use highlighters to emphasize key points
- Make flash cards for definitions, dates or other
information to memorize
2. Listen for and take down the main points.
- Listen for points that are repeated; look for a
relationship between points
- Do not try to take down everything that the teacher
says; think about it and summarize as you go
3.Copy down everything the teacher writes on the board. If
the teacher writes it, it probably is significant.
4. Write down assignments and suggestions just the way
they are given.
- Ask questions if you're not sure
- Choose a "study buddy" in each class who you can call to
compare notes or share notes when absent, or if you have a
question
5. Organize your notebook into sections.
- Use dividers to label sections for each class
- Keep tests, quizzes and homework (with corrections) to
review for tests
- Use plastic page protectors to keep outlines, new
assignments, etc.
- Designate a section for assignments to be turned in
Part 3: Concentration & Study Guidelines
1. Set aside a place for study.
- Find a quiet area to build a habit of studying
- If low music helps you concentrate, use it. Be honest
with yourself to figure out what works
2. Make sure the area has:
- Good lighting
- Comfortable chair for working (not too comfy)
- Large enough work space
- Materials for study: pencils, pens, paper, etc.
3. Make sure the area does not have:
- Distracting views
- Telephone, television, people who want to talk, etc.
- Cell phone
- Instant messaging
4. Set goals to help ensure you complete work.
- Commit to an amount of reading, or writing before moving
on
- If you get bogged down, take a short break to refresh –
then return to the task
- Find the balance that works for you, e.g. alternate
math, writing, etc. in small increments
- Use a clock or timer and set goals to help increase the
time you focus
- Reward yourself with a short break, exercise or fun
activity when you complete a goal
- Believe in yourself - learn from what works and adjust as
needed to help yourself improve
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