1: EVALUATE YOUR STUDY HABITS

• Describe your current methods of study. How do you study for each class? What specific techniques do you use in class? What specific techniques do you use outside of class?

My current method of studying is reviewing the notes taken in class and reading the textbook to get a more in-depth understanding of what is said in class. I usually study every day for about 2-3 hours per class except for the materials I already know, in which case, I do a quick review. For Chemistry class, I like to read my notes and practice writing formulas or working out equations we have learned in class. This is my third year taking chemistry, so at this point, everything is a review, but I do enjoy chemistry, so I do not mind refreshing my mind on it. For History, I read the textbook and take notes from it and the PowerPoint in class. I have flashcards with important terms from each chapter and study those when I can. In my Music class, I study the notes I took during class since the course itself is easy and self-explanatory. In Sociology, I read the textbook for each chapter discussed in class and I like to keep post-it notes for important material said throughout the chapter. I study the notes I took during the class and also have flashcards with important terms. The professor provides a study guide for tests and quizzes, to which I complete and create a Quizlet that I later study to prepare for the exams. 

• Identify one class in which you are doing well (not HLTH 101). What study methods work best and why?

As of right now, I am doing very well in Chemistry and I would say my study methods have gotten much better. I write out most of the notes in my notebook and review them for exams and quizzes. I sometimes review the textbook, but for the most part, I practice with formulas and conversions. I do not have a very complicated study method since I feel like reading and memorizing the material works best for me, but I have also incorporated studying in a designated area, like my desk, instead of my bed. 

STEP 2: EVALUATE YOUR STUDY HABITS

• Identify one class where you are experiencing challenges and address the following questions.

Planning

Although I am still doing well in History, I am having difficulty grasping the material. I think I might need to use a different strategy of studying like study groups or challenging myself more with quizzes to get a better understanding of the class. I might have to add another hour of studying and add at least 2 breaks so that I can concentrate better. I understand most of the material but would need to concentrate more on the wars and get a deeper look at them. 

Monitoring

I think I need to focus on certain things more than others like for example I study all the material even the things I know and that just feels like a waste of time. I should instead quickly review the material I know and focus more on the material I still do not fully remember or understand. I am not taking advantage of all the learning support available to me and that is very sad. I will be using everything that ODU offers me since they want me to succeed and it will make my life so much easier. I was able to get some confusion clarified by asking my professor to explain certain things or going to my peers for help on other things. For the confusion that remains, I might need to research on my own to clarify my thoughts and use the other resources available to be by ODU.

Evaluating

Using the study guides provided by the professors really helped me prepare for the exams and not just memorizing the material but understanding what was being said. I think cramming everything the night before is not helpful at all and just adds more stress to my already nervous brain. The questions that I got incorrectly were because I did not read the question carefully or I second-guessed myself and picked the wrong answer. I did not need any clarifications on the questions I got incorrect because I figured out the right answer and why I got it wrong.

• Review at least 5 academic tips/resources listed here: https://www.odu.edu/success/academic/tips What is one new technique you could try in class to help you better understand the material?

One new technique I could try in class to better understand the material is from the Study Cycle. One of the tips from this is summarizing the main points of the lecture instead of writing down every word. I have a habit of copying down everything on the PowerPoint slides and sometimes not having enough time to write it all down. Instead, if I wrote only what was important, I would have notes that will help me succeed in the course.

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

One new technique I could try is getting a tutor for the classes I am having more difficulty understanding the material. I think a tutor will help me get a better view of what I am not understanding and show me how to effectively study for the course.