Study and learning skills - Essay Example

?Running head: STUDY AND LEARNING SKILLS Study and Learning Skills Autor’s al Afffiliation Study and learning skills were studied in the context of a visual research task. Developing effective skills necessary for learning and studying demand long and conscientious work. Most of students confront the same problems when preparing for the tests in schools, colleges or universities. It is necessary to appreciate the time given for studying; it should not be wasted, but still student should not do too much studying at one time. It is also desirable to pick up some specific time for studying; arrange the study place well. Student need to have motivation to continue the process of studying, unmotivated studying (just because you have to) is ineffective and fruitless; goals will help stay focused and monitor your progress. It is necessary to devote time to working at the most difficult assignments first (but not during the test, when time is limited and there are many tasks to be completed). When preparing for the test, one should be focused, it is required to eliminate any source of possible distraction; student also have to fight excessive anxiety about the upcoming test. It is important to remember that revision is practice, and practice makes perfect. The learning process requires person’s activity - it is not limited to the university or school. You keep yourself acquainted with new literature, make your own little discoveries, determine your own position on one or another issue and apply your knowledge to solve specific problems. You should not regard yourself as a passive object of the learning process; object, which is able to receive information only in the classroom and is not going to analyze it. Prepare to the fact that your self-study time will exceed time, spent in the classroom. The sooner you get the necessary skills to be successful in studying, the more efficiently your time will be used, and the greater your success will be. Nobody can deny the fact that acquiring knowledge is not easy task to do. Sometimes studying is quite a painful process and lots of factors can influence it. First of all, a student needs to develop some skills that will be necessary for further efficient and successful studying. Studying skills or strategies are characterized “as the approaches applied to learning, which are generally critical to success in school, are considered essential for acquiring good grades, and are useful for learning throughout one's life” (Preston, 1989). Everybody is aware or such simple truth that time is money, nonetheless, so many people neglect it and go on wasting time. Students are not exception. It is impossible to grasp the immensity and learn all the material just before taking test or writing an important essay. If you want to be a successful student, you should never try to do too much studying at once. Such experiments with yourself may result in your being too tired, exhausted and thus, unable to write your test well. So, when you have some free time, it should be planned accordingly. Space the work you have to cope with over short time periods and never forget about having brakes between studying periods. Your schedule should be evaluated, so take care of it and do not let your friends or family member to draw your attention off the studying process. Planning time properly is a very important skill not only for studying but also for your future profession. First, all your zeal got to be directed to coping with the most difficult tasks, requiring much time and efforts. And what about the students’ working place? Should we actually pay so much attention to the working place arranging? Of course, we do. Very few students think about the studying places, though when chosen incorrectly, such place can do more harm than good. Studying place should be quiet; its being free from any interruption is of paramount importance to you. Your studying place also should be available to you when you need it; it should be spacious and comfortable, for you not to get tired and prematurely; it should contain all those sources and instruments for studying, necessary for you while working. And do not forget about taking care of temperature, fresh air is extremely important for your mental activity and your physical health. Everything stated above is really important, but no studying process will be effective unless motivated. Of course, it is difficult to devote your free time to learning, when there are so many other temptations around you. Still, you should always remember that living present moment is, at least, unwise, and such populist views will never bring good results in the future. You should realize that you education will bring an excellent opportunity to get a well-paid job; you will be able to actualize your ambitions and become a successful self-made person. That’s why it is important to remember that your studying has a purpose. Your goals “will help stay focused and monitor your progress“(Preston, 1989). At last, when you take a responsible test, you should mind some useful principles: special attention should be paid to reading test directions (read them very carefully); take a look at the whole test, trying to assess how much work you have to cope with; time flies fast, that is why you have to think how much time you need to answering each item; remember that first you have to complete the tasks you regard as the easiest and then pass to those requiring more time; “planning your time is especially important for essay tests where you must avoid spending so much time on one item that you have little time left for other test items If you have planned your time correctly, you will have time to review your answers and make them as complete and accurate as possible” (Mangrum & Strichart, 2007). And one more thing – test is not an execution; you should not tremble at only mentioning it. Have a good nap (not junk food), do not study much overnight, you got to be well rested before taking test, and do your best to stay calm while completing the tasks. After the test is passed to your marker, do not torture yourself with guessing whether you did everything correctly. Remember that only those, who do nothing, never make mistakes. Hitch your wagon to the stars! Reference 1. Dr. Mangrum & Dr. Strichart (2007). Test Anxiety. The Ten Study Habits of Successful Students. Retrieved from http://www.how-to-study.com/. 2. Preston, Ralph (1989). Teaching Study Habits and Skills, Rinehart. Original from the University of Maryland digitized. Web. 22 April 2001. 3. Royal Literary Fund (2003). Mission Possible: the Study Skills Pack. Retrieved from http://www.rlf.org.uk/fellowshipscheme/writing/mission_possible.cfm. Read More