Comprehensive Skimming- Tips on Preparing For Class! (Updated)

Reading is a fact of academic life.  Many of us are being assigned 200-300 pages of reading a week and honestly sometimes there is just no way to get through it all. On those occasions I employ a little to tool I like to call comprehensive skimming. This is not skimming in the traditional sense of scanning pages.  I’ve learned to skim with a plan that will ensure that I’m bypassing the information that may or not be as relevant while identifying and retaining the core concepts of the reading.

Image Courtesy of http://community.pennfoster.edu

This is not a substitution for reading for class.  Ideally we should all strive to complete our reading as assigned by our professors. However, acquiring the skill of identifying main themes in your reading is one that will serve you throughout your academic career. 

The first thing about comprehensive skimming is reading on purpose.  A lot of times we open our textbooks to our assigned pages/chapters and just start reading. That should not be your first step.  Each class session is connected to the one before so review your class notes and your syllabus to gain an idea of what this week’s class (or the one you are currently preparing for) will be all about.  If your teacher provides discussion points or reading guides that’s even better.  He/she has done some of the work for you.  Be sure to take full advantage.  Use this information to help you hone in on what the key ideas are.

Secondly, read the introduction and conclusion sections of chapters and articles thoroughly.  The introduction sets the stage and usually lays out the main ideas of the reading are.  The conclusion does the same but tends to also include references and examples of the key concepts.   I read these sections first to kind of guide me to the necessary information in the reading. Then I can use this information in sifting through the chapter/article looking for the portions of reading that discuss the main themes at length. 

Lastly, read for understanding.  Make sure that you’re not just reading the information to say you did it. Read with the intention of understanding the text.  You should be trying to connect the reading to the overall class discussion, your own previous understanding/knowledge, etc..  Not just glazing over the words.   I’m speaking directly to my rabid highlighters.  Those who just color every word and line of the paper but couldn’t tell you what the hell the author is actually saying .   To help with this process, I use my margins to paraphrase key concepts and make my own examples/applications of the subject matter.  I also write down questions and identify areas that need further exploration.  Engaging with reading in this way helps  to make sure you’re genuinely digesting, conceptualizing and learning course materials.

This is one of the methods that I use in preparing for class, again I’m no genius and I don’t claim to do everything right. I’m just sharing what I’ve learned so far in hopes that it can benefit someone else.  Happy Studying

Prepping For MidTerms - Assessing/Monitoring Your Study Habits

As Midterm season is upon us I wanted to leave a little information to help get us all geared to study for mid semester exams and projects. As a professional student I’ve learned that a common mistake made among students of all levels is not making the effort to learn how we study.  We get into the habit of studying like everybody else studies. We read, reread and highlight, we study in groups, we make study guides etc. all because that’s how we’ve been conditioned to study.  But many of us never take the time to figure out if the study methods that we are using are the strategies best fit for our individual needs and learning styles.

Throughout our high school/college experiences many of us navigate the same path.  Curriculum ensures that we are all  presented with the same information and  sometimes in very systematic and prescribed ways.  However, we are all individuals, we have different experiences, upbringings etc, and therefore we sense, engage, process and retain information differently. In other words, the way that I study may work for me but it doesn’t necessarily work for you.  Many students come to college and have never had to truly studyl.  We were able to do our work, memorize the facts for the test and pass. But college requires a new level of thinking and analysis and the days of standard memorization are over.  

The first step in studying successfully is understanding the conditions that are necessary to help you understand and retain the subject matters.  Some students can re and reread and re read again.  Some students are really good at coming up with mnemonic devices, riddles and songs that help them recall the concepts.  Personally, I’m a writer.  The physical act of writing and rewriting my notes helps me review the material, identify the areas of confusion and develop the connections between the subject matter and my own prior knowledge that contribute to my understanding and conceptualizing the subject matter. It took me a while to realize learn that studying in this way was most useful for me but once I figured it out, my life as a student was a lot less difficult.  

There are a few tools available online that are very useful in helping us learn more about the way we study. The surveys are helpful in identifying areas where your present study skills/strategies are effective and areas where you may want to make some adjustments in the way you approach studying. I’ve used the following surveys and I encourage you to take the time to do them as well.  


Study Guides and Strategies
Study Skills Assessment- Columbia Basin College 
Study Strategies Homepage- University of Minnesota Duluth

The feedback from these assessments will be really helpful as you prep yourself to study for Midterms this semester. Feel free to share any tips or strategies that have worked for you in the comments below.  And as always keep it here for more study tips throughout the month.

Best wishes!

6 Tips for Prepping for The Final Exam Season!

As you know 2010 is just about gone.. and as November high tails it outta here I’m here to remind you that finals will be here before you know it. Don’t let them sneak up on you. At work I urge my students to check their syllabi and follow up with their professors and find out their final exam schedule early. I then encourage them to consider each of their courses and rate them in terms of confidence. For example, list your classes from top to bottom, in order of which ones require most studying to those that would require the least. Armed with this information you could then create a more reason schedule of studying. I’ll deal with that in upcoming posts but for now I wanted to give you a series of questions to ask and information to find out to help you prepare to study for finals. For each class it’s best to find out....

1. The date and time of your final exam 

2. The format of your final exam- Is it Multiple Choice, Short Answer, Essay,etc.

3. Find out if your exam will be cumulative or non cumulative- Cumulative exams are those that test you on the content of the entire course. That means that what was discussed the first week of class will probably be on the exam. Non-Cumulative exams just test you on the material that was taught since the most recent test. An example would be a test that just test you on what you’ve learned since the midterm. 

4. Find out if your professor will provide in class review or access to study guides 

5. If you don’t know already, find out your current standing in class ( In other words, inquire about prior test grades, missing assignments, etc. 

6. Review returned exams and assignments. Read and review the feedback specifically the questions you got wrong and/or the areas where you professors made specific suggestions that would improve the quality of your work . If you’re unclear about anything reach out to you professors or TA. If necessary visit office hours, study groups or supplemental instructions sections. If you’ve struggled in a course thus far, learning where you’ve gone wrong is the first step you should take in making sure you don’t make the same mistakes twice.

Asking these questions will best prepare you to handle final exam season Fall 2010. I know it seems like a lot but you can compile this information for each of your classes in less than a week. Most of the answers to these questions can be found in your syllabus or a brief conversation with your professor before or after you next class. I’ve learned the hard way that failure to be organized and prepare to tackle your finals results in a lot of anxiety, stress and cramming that may or may not result in good performance during finals week. Next week I’ll be back with more study tips and final exam info. As always I hope this helps. Feel free to leave your comments, questions, feedback below.

Strategies of A Scholar- Dealing with EXTRA LARGE Reading Assignments

As unfortunate as it may be to admit, reading (for some) can be a daunting and largely un-enjoyable task.  Working in higher education, I’m always surprised to see the lengths students will take to avoid reading for their classes.   Even for those of us who love to read and do so leisurely, it’s easy to be overwhelmed  by dense, hard to read, and sometimes non interesting reading assignments, self included.  As much as I love to read and write there are many days when I just don’t feel like doing my homework or preparing for the next class.  Yea I said it.  I personally loathe super long book chapters that basically repeat the SAME THING OVER AND OVER again.  It makes me want to physically fight.  But the fact the matter is, the reading is an inescapable aspect of student life and there are ways to manage our time, energy and resources to make sure that we get it done.  Today I hope give a couple of tips on starting this process.

1. Read Efficiently-  What I mean, when I say this is to maximize your reading time by learning to focus in on main themes, concepts and examples.  Read your syllabus and listen actively in class. Professors usually frame lectures with discussion points or questions; use those to guide you in your reading.  You can usually get through major reading a lot easier if you know what you’re looking for and what specifically to focus on. Once you’ve got main points you can really beef up your skimming skills.
2. Plan Your Time and Stick to Your Schedule .-  There is nothing worst than having to cram 100+ pages of reading into one sitting.  This is no big deal when you’re thumbing through your favorite magazine or your favorite novel but the game changes  entirely when it comes to academic/textbook/subject matter reading.  I’m sorry. I don’t care who you are but when you force feed yourself the words, you run a huge risk of forgetting key information and details.  Even if you do remember information you won’t retain it for long. If I’ve been assigned a book to read I try to set small goals . I try to read 30 pages by noon and another 40 by dinner time every other day. This way Hope I can get through the 150-200 page book in 3 or 4 days or at least by the next class meeting.  Breaking up huge assignments into smaller pieces makes them much easier to digest.
3. Practice – Reading is like typing, athletic training, learning a language or any other skill.  The more you do it the better you become at it.  I understand that many of us don’t like to read because we’re slower readers and it may take us a bit longer to get through the text.   There is absolutely no shame in that.  TODAY, there are many authors that I have to read out loud in order to understand them.   I sometimes even have to read lines more than once to decipher what in the HELL is being said.  I can speak from personal experience, the more you read the better you become at it.   If you can, buy a newspaper, read a news blog or website, or buy some how to or fiction books.  If you get yourself in the habit of reading you’ll become a better reader.  *BONUS* One thing that has helped me was having a dictionary on deck to look up words that I was unsure of. I'd then write the definitions in a little notebook that I keep on hand for future reference.  I tend to retain things better when I write them down.  In just doing this little activity alone I’ve seen improvement in my reading speed. It's building my vocabulary thus making me a better reader.  Eureka and things of that nature!! *insert light bulb here* lol 
4. Multitask-  I find I do some of my best reading on the train or even on the spin bike at the gym.  Maximize on all of the time you have by multitasking.  Travel with your book or reading because you never know when you can sneak in another 10-20 pages to help you meet your reading goal for the day.  I’ve been at this whole student thing for a while  now so , on a good day, I can weed out the distractions of background noise and surrounding conversations.  If you’re easily distracted, ear plugs are helpful and super cheap.  Give them a try you may actually surprise yourself. 

I’ll leave you guys with these for now and will posts other helpful tips and hints in future posts.  If you have a tip or information that you’d like to share, feel free to leave them in the comments below.  I’ve got 50  more pages to get through before I hope this helps. 

Library Etiquette

So it's finals week and students all over the world are preparing to wrap up the Spring 2010 semester. Congratulations, we're almost there.  Libraries across the country will be giving you CRUNK and lookin like all types of free before 11 lines at the club.   We're talking sun up to sun down and all up and in between.  There are some rules of thumb to your over nighters in the library.  Remember, libraries are public places, communal spaces filled with furniture, computers and appliances that are to be shared.. In other words, you ain't at home so keep the following rules of library etiquette in mind. 

1.  Umm You're Loud- Be mindful of the volume of your music while in the library. A little background diddy to keep you focused while you bang out your paper is one thing.  But, now is not the time nor the place for you to be  quotin lyrics and doing video dance choreography.  Your headphones are in your head, hunny I don't want to hear what you listening to.  Take it easy

2. Bus Your Tables- We all know, no study session is complete without a couple rounds of junk food. But have some decency in your snacking.  Discard all wrappers, bags, condiments, etc in the trash and for God sake rid your table, couch, desk, study space of all crumbs and food remnants when you leave. Don't be trifling and yes I'm judging.. SMH

3. Cover YOUR Mouth- Libraries are a breeding ground for all manner of botchulism and disease. People have colds, viruses etc and sit at the same tables and share the same computer keyboards, desks, chairs, mice etc. that we all use.   Please bear this in mind.  If you've got the sniffles, arm yourself with the medications, tissues and hand sanitizers you need to ensure your germs are not spread the next unsuspecting immuno-deficient library patron.  Please and THANKS! 

4.  Be Considerate in Your Napping- Now I'd be a lie if I ever said I've never been man down sleep in the library.  It happens but please try to be as considerate as possible in your sleeping. This means if you are prone to snoring, talking in your sleep, drooling etc. take the proper precautions.  Sleep on your hands or throw a towel, sweatshirt, or something between your face and whatever it is you're laying on to catch your face juice.  Also hoodies or something to cover your face not only muffle snores and heavy breathing but they will limit opportunities for people to photograph you and post all type of black mail folly on the world wide web. Also have a buddy, somebody to tap you if you get loud.  And please, set an alarm.  A nap is a nap, don't be up in the library sleeping for an extended amount of time, Looking all homeless! SMH!

5. Rinse, Lather and Repeat-  Cramming is a state of emergency for most students but the responsibilites of proper hygiene are not to be ignored. Being in the library all night is not, and I repeat NOT, an excuse to not have washed your tail, brushed your teeth and/or changed your clothes for a few days.  BO (Body Odor) in the library is such a distraction.. nothing interrupts your thought process like stank breath and musty pits.  So please, take the half hour it takes to refresh after a long night of studying. It's worth it on so many levels.  An runnin a comb or brush through you crown in glory wouldn't either.. no shade.. #justsaying :-)

Feel free to share these pearls of wisdom and let me know if you've got other things to add to the list.  

Till Next Time, 

Tykeia 

aka

TheGlamNERD