Learning Communities
Resources
Academic Tools
Some of these may be useful to you in keeping up with your academic work and finding effective ways to review difficult concepts. Each one is in PDF format, so you will need to have the free copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer to access these files.
Time Management Tools
Weekly schedule (to plan when
you can study!)
To do list
Goal-setting sheet
Grade Sheet (keep track of all grades)
Course Syllabus Worksheet
Note-taking
- do's and don'ts of note-taking handout
- 2 column & 3 column notes
- sample 2 column notes (lecture)
- sample 3 column notes (lecture)
- sample 3/4 column notes (lecture)
- outline notes (lecture)
Study methods
These graphic organizers may help you pull out key points in a way that will help you understand and remember more. Experiment to find what format works best for you or for what you are studying.
- Chart
- Compare/Contrast
- Concept Definition
- KWL
- Network Tree
- Sequence
- Steps
- Triangle Cycle
- Hierarchy tree
- Problem Solution Chart
- Vocabulary Matrix
- Web
- Word Web
Test-taking Help
- Post Test Survey
- Tips on surviving classes with tough multiple choice tests
- Tips on managing test anxiety
Reading Skills
We recommend enrolling in RE 1010 Power Reading to practice various strategies to develop effective and efficient reading strategies. This handout may also give you ideas of strategies you can practice on your own.
Helpful Websites
General Study Skills
Reading
www.freerice.com Fun way to build vocabulary
www.supervoca.com vocabulary building- GRE, TOEFL, ESL, Greek Vocab
www.sas.calpoly.edu/asc/ssl.html Reading strategies
http://www.yorku.ca/cdc/lsp/index.htm
Writing
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/ is a free website with several tips on writing and grammar.
www.comfit.com -- an excellent resource for developing writing skills, especially mechanics such as grammar, spelling, word choice and sentence structure. Students would have to pay (around $5 for a month or $15 for a semester), but the practice tests and examples may be very helpful. You can give it a test run before buying to see if it would help you.
Note-taking
www.sas.calpoly.edu/asc/ssl.html
http://www.yorku.ca/cdc/lsp/index.htm
Time Management
www.sas.calpoly.edu/asc/ssl.html
Stress Management
http://www.helpguide.org/mental/stress_management_relief_coping.htm
Test Taking
www.sas.calpoly.edu/asc/ssl.html
Test Anxiety
www.sas.calpoly.edu/asc/ssl.html
http://www.how-to-study.com/testanxiety.htm
Memory
www.sas.calpoly.edu/asc/ssl.html
www.queendom.com/mindgames/mindstretching/ Memory games
GRE Test Prep
www.freerice.com is a fun way to build your vocabulary
www.sparknotes.com has a full length review of the GRE that is simply fantastic, and it includes practice tests that are helpful too (just watch for strange formatting of the math problems).
www.supervocab.com vocabulary building- GRE, TOEFL, ESL, Greek Vocab
www.syvum.com/gre/ Contains GRE Practice tests, tips and techniques
www.ets.org Information on testing sites, test design and ordering information
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