Study Skills
“Study to show thyself approved unto God a workman that needeth not be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth.” II Timothy 2:15
Successful study involves hard work.
- Persistence – doing a job when it gets tougher than expected.
- Thoroughness – completing a job all the way.
- Endurance – the inward strength to withstand stress to accomplish God’s best.
Make up your mind!
“Choose ye this day whom you will serve!” Joshua 24:15b
- Purpose – to do right for God’s glory
- Plan – when and what needs to be done
- Prepare – to get the job done
- Perform – effectively and pass
- Possess – the grades that you achieved and go forward to serve the Lord
“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing.” II Timothy 4:7,8
Studying is a process, not an event.
1. Be Organized | 2. Read | 3. Listen | 4. Take Notes | 5. Review for Quizzes/Tests
2. Read
SQ3R Reading Strategy
A systematic approach to improve your study skills.
- Survey
- Scan the reading assignment
- Note the headings, terms in bold, graphics, tables, pictures
- Develop a framework to organize the facts
- Question
- Ask yourself what, when, who, where, why
- Rephrase headings, subheadings, and terms in bold
- Read
- Answer your questions
- Take notes on the main ideas
- Recite
- Rehearse the answers to your questions
- Verbalize or write down key ideas
- Review
- Check your accuracy; re-read to confirm
- Polish your notes
- Create helpful ways to remember
1. Be Organized | 2. Read | 3. Listen | 4. Take Notes | 5. Review for Quizzes/Tests
3. Listen
Listening for meaning not just for words.
- Be physically prepared
- Scrutinize the information critically
- Control your attitude
- Listen appropriately for facts and for concepts
- Perceive relationships
Effective listeners are:
- Attentive – Listen with the ears, eyes, and heart.
- Alert – Know what is going on.
- Diligent – Work hard to accomplish the task.
“A wise man will hear, and will increase learning.” Proverbs 1:5
1. Be Organized | 2. Read | 3. Listen | 4. Take Notes | 5. Review for Quizzes/Tests
4. Take Notes
Note Taking Tips
- Be prepared
- Review past notes and reading assignments before class
- Work at connecting the dots (notes from each separate class)
- Identify what the instructor emphasizes the most (both verbally and non-verbally)
- Write down main ideas in your own words (key terms and definitions)
- Use abbreviations, symbols, shorthand
- Listen for Summary Statements
- Connect the dots
- Ask questions
- Organize your notes by chapter/date/page numbers
1. Be Organized | 2. Read | 3. Listen | 4. Take Notes | 5. Review for Quizzes/Tests
5. Review for Quizzes and Tests
Review Sheet
- Polish your notes by creating a table with two columns
- Column 1: Key Terms, Principles and Concepts
- Column 2: Facts and Definitions
- Confirm your accuracy (content and spelling)
- Quiz yourself
- Use a cover sheet on the left or on the right hand column
- Practice writing out the answer
- Practice ways to remember
- Ask another student, a tutor, the teacher assistant, and your teacher
Review – Forget; Review – Forget; Review – Remember
Being Responsible – Doing what I know I ought to do.
“Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.” I Corinthians 4:2
“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Philippians 4:13
