Reading skills will prove invaluable to you as a METC student. Students need to be able to pick out the main topics/points and synthesize what they read. Experiment with the following strategies or try some of your own. Choose which methods work best for you. If one method isn't working try another method.

Before reading:

Find your "study spot" ​  Focus – clear your mind of distractions ​  Preview main headings ​  Mentally recall prior knowledge of the topic ​  Determine significance of charts, graphs and tables ​  Develop a general idea of subject materials (hypothesis) ​  Preview review questions

 

Reading for comprehension:

​  Conduct a quick scan of the reading material ​  Chunk (break information into small segments) ​  Look for key words, (bold, italicized, etc.) ​  Continuously test your hypothesis against the reading ​  Highlight important ideas/concepts/words ​  Take breaks when your attention begins to wander ​  Review continuously to check for understanding

 

After reading:

​  Summarize your reading ​  Develop possible test questions from main points ​  Gauge your understanding of the information (on a scale of 1-10) ​  Review sections you are unsure of ​  Write down questions to ask your instructor/study group

10 Best Note Taking Tips According to Learning Styles:

You should have already taken a learning style inventory to identify your personal learning style. Research shows that the following best practices will enhance a student's success in an academic learning environment. Choose the learning style which best suits your identified learning profile.
 

Visual Learners

Sit at the front of the class   Use graphic organizers (circle maps, mind maps, etc.)   Use color to organize your notes   Draw pictures/diagrams to emphasize information   Identify / highlight main ideas   Ensure notes are legible and organized   Look for non-verbal cues from the instructor   Use margin notes for emphasis when appropriate   After class review your notes – rewrite/organize as needed   After class create flash cards from your notes (Quizlet)

 

Auditory Learners

Sit at the front of the class   Focus on instructor verbal cues   Use abbreviations instead of writing words out completely (think texting)   Write legibly   Mumble for emphasis   Challenge yourself to stay focused   Do not sit near disruptive students   Use recording devices (if allowed)   After class compare/discuss notes with classmates   After class create flash cards from your notes (Quizlet auditory function)

 

Tactile Learners

Sit at the front of the class   Draw pictures/diagrams to emphasize information   Take notes in lab (write – feel – write)   Use color to organize your notes   Build/use models and simulations   Use graphic organizers (circle maps, mind maps, etc.)   Challenge yourself to stay focused   After class compare/discuss notes with classmates   After class retype/rewrite notes   After class create flash cards from your notes (Quizlet)

 

Kinesthetic Learners

Sit at back of the class (ask instructor if standing/pacing is allowed)   Focus on continuously taking notes (move)   Draw pictures/diagrams to emphasize information   Take notes in lab (write – feel – write)   Use color to organize your notes   Build/use models and simulations   Use graphic organizers (circle maps, mind maps, etc.)   Challenge yourself to stay focused   After class compare/discuss notes with classmates   After class create flash cards from your notes (Quizlet)

Study Skills and Strategies

Studying is a focused activity. It requires your full attention. METC students will need to devote time to studying on a daily basis. If you have a designated study place you can train yourself to shift into study mode whenever you are in that particular environment. You should never use your bed as a study spot, this can make it more difficult to concentrate and stay awake while studying. The following tips are applicable to all METC students.

  Don't procrastinate.
  Plan your study time. Set up a consistent schedule.
  Minimize distractions (cell phones, TV, roommate, family, music, etc.)
  Designate a study spot that is conducive to learning.
  Organize assignments, all notes and class materials.
  Use color coding, folders or other systems to keep track of each topic, class or project.
  Establish a routine, set a specific time to talk to loved ones.
  Take time out for yourself. Plan some time to recharge.
  Sleep, eat right, and practice healthy choices.
  Reward yourself – make studying a positive experience instead of one to avoid and dread.

10 Best Study Skill Tips according to Learning Styles

Studying is a critical skill for METC students. Experiment with the following strategies or try those that have worked for you in the past. Scroll to the learning style which best suits your identified learning profile.
 

Visual Learners

Find a designated "study spot"   Study concepts before delving into the details   Close your eyes and visualize the concept or meaning   Develop flow charts or mind maps which demonstrate relationships between ideas or sequences of events   Use media to enhance your study experience   Use flashcards with images   Highlight important parts in your notes, use color coding   Re-write or type out your notes   Read in a well lit area   Take breaks every 15 - 30 minutes

 

Auditory Learners

Join a study group or get a study partner   Use word association / rhymes / acronyms   Repeat information out loud   Read notes out loud when reviewing   Talk your way through problems   Limit distractions (music, TV, etc.)   Use media to enhance your study experience   Drill with flash cards (sound out)   Read in a well lit area   Consider getting a "SMART pen" / recording device

 

Tactile Learners

Feel – write - feel   Get up and move when you study   Use tangible models / manipulative   Retype your notes so they are legible   Use memory games   Physically arrange flash cards   Spend extra time in the lab   "Chunk" your studying   Limit distractions (music, TV, etc.)   Develop visual learning skills

 

Kinesthetic Learners

Get up and move when you study   Limit distractions (music, TV, etc.)   Use tangible models / manipulative   Develop visual learning skills   Use word association / rhymes / acronyms   Find a study space which works for you   Physically arrange flash cards   Retype your notes so they are legible   Spend extra time in the lab   Act out material when possible

10 Best Test Taking Skills for All Students

  Recognize that a certain amount of anxiety is normal.

  Identify and eliminate negative self-talk. If you tell yourself you will fail, you will. Also keep your distance from others who practice self-doubt. Support yourself and your classmates by being positive.

  Close your eyes and take deep breathes before starting your exam.

  Read the question thoroughly and completely, be sure you know exactly what is being asked.

Try to answer the question before looking at the answers.

  Don't panic. If you come across on question you don't know the answer to, don't spend the entire test time trying to figure it out. Move on, the answer may come to you as you work your way through the test.

  Manage your time, be sure you know how much time you have and utilize the time well. Use as much time as you need but budget your time so you don't have to rush through the last questions.

  If you notice that you are starting to feel anxious, take a moment to close your eyes and take a couple of deep breathes.

  Review if time allows, but only change your answer if you are sure you made a mistake, such as misreading the question. Your first response is often right.

  Make sure you didn't skip any questions. Unless there is a penalty for wrong answers make an educated guess for any questions you skipped.
 

10 Best Test Taking Tips for Multiple Choice Questions

  Read the question carefully. What is the question asking?

  Read the directions carefully. Is it multiple or single select?

  Know if there is a penalty for guessing.

  Try to answer the question before looking at the answers.

  If none of the given options match the answer you came up with, decide which one is closest.

  Read all the answers before making your selection.

  Eliminate answers you know are incorrect. The more you can eliminate the better your odds are for getting it right.

  Don't spend a lot of time on questions you don't know, answer the ones you're sure of first, and then come back.

  Review each answer to see if it grammatically agrees with the stem.

  On a single select question, if an option is "All of the Above" and you know two of the answers are correct, this is probably the correct answer.

10 Best Test Taking Skills for All Students

  Read the question carefully to ensure you understand exactly what is being asked.

  Take a few deep breathes to relax if you find yourself starting to get anxious.

  In order to be true, all of the question must be true. If any part of the question is false the whole question is false.

  Carefully read questions stated in the negative, such as those with the words no, not, and cannot. If you are confused by the question try reading the question without the negative. If it is then true, the opposite is probably false.

  The longer the statement and the more parts it contains, the greater the possibility the question is false. To be true, each subpart of the statement must be true, so break the question down and see if each subpart holds true.

  Qualifiers such a sometimes, often, and generally are clues that demonstrate the possibility of something happening. These statements are often true, but read the question carefully.

  Absolutes such as always, never, none, and only denote that the statement must be true in all cases, no exceptions. This is rarely the case and these questions are often false, but read the question carefully.

  Don't over think the question; usually your first response is correct.

  Skip any questions you are unsure of and come back to them.

  If all else fails guess, you have a 50% chance of getting it right, which is better than 100% chance of getting it wrong if you don't answer.

10 Best Test Taking Tips for Matching Questions

  Read the question carefully to ensure you understand exactly what is being asked.

  Make sure you understand the directions, i.e., are you matching same or different, can you use an answer more than once?

  Take a few deep breathes to relax if you find yourself starting to get anxious.

  Move through the entire list before making a choice; choose the matching pair that is most correct.

  Match those you are sure of first.

  Work from the column with the longest sentence/phrases.

  Look for clues concerning the relationships between objects in the two columns.

  Restate the long sentence/phrase as a question. How would you answer it?

  If you can't find a correct answer, review those matching pairs you already made, do one of those have another option?

  When all else fails, take an educated guess.

10 Best Tips for Managing Test Anxiety

  Recognize that a certain amount of anxiety is normal.

  Don't cram by pulling an all nighter. Prepare for the exam by keeping up with assignments and studying a little every day.

  Get up in time to eat and get to class five minutes early. Being hungry and rushed only heightens your sense of anxiety.

  Identify and eliminate negative self-talk. If you tell yourself you will fail, you will.

  Keep your distance from others who practice self-doubt. Support yourself and your classmates by being positive.

  Close your eyes and take deep breathes before starting your exam. It can help lower your heart rate and help you focus.

  Scan over the test and plan your approach. Start with the easy questions and build confidence

  Don't panic. If you come across on question you don't know the answer to, don't spend the entire test time trying to figure it out. Move on, the answer may come to you as you work your way through the test.

  Don't rush to be the first one done, use as much time as you need but budget your time so you don't have to rush through the last questions.

  If you notice that you are starting to feel anxious, take a moment to close your eyes and take a couple of deep breathes.