Transcript Study Skills for Middle School

Study Skills for Middle
School Students
Middle School Orientation
Rocky Mount Preparatory School
August, 2009
First things first: Your brain is like a
computer that runs your whole house.
► The
brain takes up 2% of your body mass.
► Your brain uses 20% of the oxygen your
body takes in; 20% of the blood pumped by
your heart goes to your brain.
► Why is this true? Because your brain
processes so much—sight, sound, touch,
and the information contained in all of your
senses.
► In order for your brain to work properly, you
must have proper hydration, nourishment,
and rest!
We have two basic types of memory:
► Short
term memory
These are the thoughts in your head that
allow you to remember a phone number
long enough to dial it, but then it’s lost
unless it is transferred to...
► Long term memory
These are the complex memories that
we strive to develop so we can recall them
later when we need them.
How does your brain retain information?
(Hint: NOT like a computer.)
Computers file piles of data in one place; the
brain puts one thought in several places!
To put it where you can find it, you must use:
► Personal connections
► Context—sights, smells,
sounds that are a part
of the event or information
► Association—ROY G. BIV = the colors of the
rainbow; we learned the ABC’s with a song
► REPETITION—think about it over and over!
Therefore, if you want to study
effectively, you must
► Collect
information by listening, watching,
and doing.
► Develop a routine that helps you retain the
material in a way that is best for you.
► Create an atmosphere that allows your brain
to process and store information.
► Be willing to take the time and effort to take
advice and try different techniques.
People learn by listening, watching,
and doing!
►Everyone
has different learning
preferences.
►Teachers try to present information in
all three ways.
►It’s up to you to pay attention and
collect information in the best way for
you.
Taking notes is vital to
collecting information.
► Do
not try to write every word, just key
words and phrases.
► Use abbreviations that you can understand
later (b/c = because, for example).
► Don’t write down something you already
have in your book or handout. Just make a
reference to it (“definition on page 83”).
► If you don’t understand something, ask
questions!
Now it’s time to study…
so what do I do?
► Set
aside enough time to do all of your work.
► Find a quiet place to focus on your work.
Eliminate distractions such as TV and radio;
some soft music can help mask outside noise.
► You should be sitting up in a well-lit area so
you stay alert. Take a 5 minute break for
every half hour of studying.
► Prioritize your work. You should have a list of
your homework in your planner.
Tips for Doing Homework
► Complete
your homework as if you were
studying for a test. Look for important
points, main ideas, and themes of the
subject.
► If you cannot find an answer, don’t just mail
it in and give up. By making your learning
personal, you remember more!
► The “smart” kids are the ones who take their
time on homework; they are not necessarily
naturally “smart;” most of the time they have
simply done the work.
Tips for Studying for a Test
(see “Memorization” on page 6 of your planner)
► Remember
the rules of memorization: Make it
personal, put it in context, associate it with
something, and REPEAT IT!
► Make sure you can find all definitions and other
terms. Make sure your notes make sense; if not,
call a classmate.
► Make flashcards or put concepts on one half of a
sheet of paper and quiz yourself, writing the
answers on the other half.
► Don’t try to memorize it all at once. Break down
the information into smaller bites by topic or
chapter headings.
Let’s talk about procrastination (oh,
no—we don’t have to do that, do we?).
DO NOT WAIT until the night before a test to start
studying! Cramming is crazy!
Why do people put things off?
► I’m going to fail! (Yes, you will if you don’t study!)
► Too much to do! (Break it into smaller bits.)
► I’m just not into it. (Remember your goals and that
this is just one step toward them.)
► I don’t know where to start! (Just pick a spot and go
for it—indecision is worse than a wrong decision.)
Tips for Taking Tests
(see page 8 of your Planner)
► Get
enough sleep and eat a good breakfast
or lunch (this is good advice for every day!).
► READ THE DIRECTIONS!!!!!!
► Do not change an answer unless you see
the mistake you made; if you have already
made a decision, stay with it!
► Skip over questions that stump
you and come back later.
Brainstorming!
In groups of no more than four, can you list
five good study habits that you have used?
Can you list five bad study habits some of
your members have?
Finally, can you think of why
these habits have or have
not
been effective based
on
what you have just learned?
If you follow these tips and
remember how your brain works…
…you can be one
of the smart kids
who makes
making good
grades look so
easy!