Evaluate Your Study Habits

Describe your current methods of study. How do you study for each class?

Since being in college, my study methods have changed quite a lot. The recommended time to study for a class in college is two times the credit hour. This strategy works for me. I have found a good schedule that works, and I am able to fit in all of my study time without feeling overwhelmed. I study for each class differently; I have specific techniques I use in and out of class.

For chemistry, I watch the lecture video first. This gives me a good idea of what I am going to have to study for each chapter and makes it feel like I am in class. Once I take notes of each lecture video, I will do any of the worksheets or homework that is assigned for that week or chapter. “Outside of class”, I try practice problems and just review the notes that I took at least once a day to keep the information fresh in my brain.

History is a lot harder to understand for me. I have to really focus on the lectures and study every day. While in class, I make sure to take detailed notes and ask questions when I need to. After class, I review the notes I take during the class and the lecture slides that are provided on blackboard. This allows me to understand what was said in the lecture. Along with that I complete the discussion boards. These are a huge help for review. After I complete them, I save them to my google drive so that I can review them at any time.

For sociology, I use many different resources to study. I make sure I complete the connect chapter reviews before class. This allows me to know what we will be talking about. While in class I make sure to take detailed notes during the lectures and participate in class discussion. I make sure to review these notes very often and stay on top of discussions that take place in class.

English is the class I study least for. I make sure to watch the videos that my professor uploads each week. Along with that I do the discussion boards and my journal entries. Outside of class, I will prepare for my papers that are due by researching when needed, doing my down drafts, peer review, and finally turning in my finished paper.

Identify one class in which you are doing well. What study methods work best and why?

I would say I am doing well in chemistry. This was the class that I was most nervous about when signing up for my classes. I have made a schedule for this class which includes being able to learn the material and study it without feeling overwhelmed. The study methods that would best for me in chemistry are taking detailed notes while watching the lecture videos, doing the homework, and completing the worksheets or any small activity that is uploaded on blackboard. I do chemistry all week. I make sure that I complete the notes by Wednesday. By doing this, I give myself plenty of time to compete the homework on time. Not only that, it allows me to review my notes every day and make sure that I understand, and I am prepared for the exams.

Identify and Apply New Learning Techniques

Identify one class where you are experiencing challenges.

If I had to pick one class where I felt I was experiencing challenges, I would choose history. I am still working out the strategies that work best for me in this class. I plan on spending at least an hour a day studying for this class. I do not think I am struggling on one specific topic; I am more struggling with understanding the topic as a whole. I would say that I am struggling with motivation to study for this course. History has always been a class that I struggle in, but I just need to keep reminding myself that I am taking this class because it is required in order for me to become a nurse. For the exam, I am relieved that it is in essay form. I feel that I was able to get my ideas across in a way that I would not have been able to if it was multiple choice. In preparation for my exam in history, I reviewed the lecture slides and lecture notes that I took during each class. One way that I can improve in preparation for my next exam is to take better notes during class. I need to start writing down the specific dates and even the smaller details. All in all, I feel that I am starting to get the hang of my history class and I know if I am ever in need of help, ODU provides many resources that will help me succeed.

What is one new technique you could try in class to help you better understand the material?

One new technique that I am going to try in class is the study cycle. This will allow me to be prepared in class for discussions. The study cycle starts with reviewing the material before class. Then participating in class, reviewing the material after class, and studying for 3-5 short study sessions a day. This technique will help me stay on track and help me better understand the material. Knowing what the professor is going to talk about before class will allow me to understand the lectures better. I will be able to relate the lecture to what I already read or learned about before coming to class.

What is one new technique you could try outside of class to help you better understand the material?

A new technique I will try outside of class is setting goals. I have a goal to become a nurse but that is not specific enough to each class. I need to start with setting specific goals for each class and make these goals realistic and accomplishable. The first goal I am going to set is to study my history notes/ discussion board entries for 2 hours every day. These two hours do not have to be consecutive just as long as I study history for 2 hours a day. This goal is realistic because I will be able to accomplish this goal and not feel discouraged because it in unachievable for me. I am excited to use this new technique for each of my classes because it will make sure I am completing all my assignments and studying enough each week.