Start your project by:

Use the C.R.A.P. test to determine if the source is dependable.

Currency

Reliability

Authority

Purpose

More about the CRAP test is available from the Evaluating Information Guide.

Study Tips

Time Management

Don't Procrastinate!

Evaluate your schedule to set aside enough time for school work and personal time.

Create a To-Do list daily or weekly to keep on top of work that needs to be completed.

Break tasks into manageable, and meaningful, chunks to stay focused.

Don't try to study or write all at one time - take breaks.

Make time for class. Go to every class. Missing class can affect your financial aid.

 

Learning to Learn

Survey - Survey the material to get the big picture before reading your textbook.

Ask Questions - Ask yourself: What is the purpose of the assignment or reading? What do I already know?

Read - Read for meaning. If you don't understand, re-read or read slower. Write down questions and then bring them to class for further exploration.

Recite - Summarize what you just read by saying it out loud or writing it down in your own words.

Review - Go over material regularly so it stays fresh.

Ask Someone for Help - If you need help, contact your instructor right away. You can also meet with a tutor, or ask for help in the library.

 

Taking Notes & Active Listening

Actively participate in class discussion to engage yourself in your learning experience. This means asking questions!

Take notes during lecture on paper or laptop to help you prepare later for tests and quizzes.

Record lectures for playback of content discussed.

When reading, take notes in your textbook, label key information, highlight important terms and details, summarize and note questions you have about the materials.

Outline your ideas to organize information for writing for papers and reviewing for tests.

 

Research

Plan ahead - Use the Research Project Calculator to develop a schedule for completing each step of the process.

Don't know where to start? Talk to a librarian about how to research.

Use the online library for reliable, scholarly sources.

Brainstorm words related to your topic for searches.

Use a variety of sources to verify information (e.g. books, websites, and journal articles).

Create a list of sources for your paper.

Organize, organize, organize - make note of sources so you don't have to backtrack to find them later. 

 

Writing Essays

Discuss writing with your instructor before, during and after you have completed your writing assignments.

Use the Research Project Calculator to help you manage your paper: Brainstorm, write an outline, write drafts.

Submit your draft to Smarthinking Writing Center for proofreading, editing and help with your citations.

Make edits to your paper and submit revised final draft.

 

Test Taking

Stay up-to-date on assignments. Learn material and review as you go.

See the folks in the Academic Resource Center or ask for a tutor if you don't know a subject well enough before your test.

Analyze past tests to determine how you can improve your test-taking skills.

Make sure to quiz yourself and take practice test and prepare to answer different kinds of questions: multiple choice, fill-in-the-blank and long answer.

Break up study sessions by units or chapters.

Find Study Buddies to review with.

When taking the test, start with a quick survey of the questions. Answer the easiest questions first to help control anxiety and use time effectively.

Ask the instructor about tests both before and after.

 

Adapted from: http://www.bucks.edu/~specpop/studyskills.htm