High School Study Skills

Motivation
Get Motivated
Stay Motivated

Monitoring Input
Listening
Note Taking
Reading
Class Participation

Managing Process
Self Management
Time Management
Concentration
Managing Your Learning
Managing Your Memory
Class Participation
Test Preparation

Mastering Output
Test Taking
Dealing with Test Anxiety
Learning from Tests
Preparing Written Reports
Preparing Oral Reports
Class Participation

Study Reading Steps

Previewing (5 minutes will yield 10%-20% comprehension)

1. Read the title and all subtitles.

2. Read the introduction or first paragraph.

3. Read any boldfaced text.

4. Look at any pictures, charts, graphs, or diagrams, and their captions.

5. Read any questions at the end of the chapter.

6. Read the summary or the last paragraph.

7. Identify the main idea and one or two minor points.

8. Relate these ideas to what you already know.

Skimming (5-10 minutes will yield 50% comprehension)

1. Read the first paragraph carefully.

2. Read the first sentence in every following paragraph.

3. Read the last paragraph.

4. Reread the summary.

Active Reading (20 to 30 minute segments will yield 90 +% comprehension)

1. Chunk the reading into small parts.

2. Highlight the book or mark it with comments and questions.

3. Take notes on the reading.

4. Transfer your notes to a separate piece of paper.

5. Create 3 x 5" study cards that you will study daily.

Summarizing (yields 90-100% comprehension)

1. Briefly summarize the material, in your own words.

2. Add your summaries to your class notes.

3. Think about what test questions could be asked on the material.

4. Relate the material to what you already know.

5. Answer questions on the material, using textbook questions or the Comprehension Summary Matrix.