Plan two hours of study for each hour of classtime. Then adjust the time to your needs. This is the average time needed. Average time = Average grade "C"
Some classes may require more, others less. This is a factor of your basic background, interest, etc.

WHERE DO YOU STUDY?

The study environment should include:

Supplies - pencils, erasers, pens, paper, ruler, compass, protracter,calculator, computer, pencil sharpener, etc.
Reference materials - dictionary, thesarus, Grammar, writing style manual, and almanac.

The study environment should:

Have good lighting (non-glaring)
Be free of distractions (if you are easily distracted)
Be free of interruptions
Be at an optimum temperature
Be organized
Not be overly comfortable
Be used regularly
As similar to the testing environment as possible

TYPES OF STUDY

Preview

Over new information.
Moving information into Short Term Memory (STM)
The goal is to make questions for study
Examples
- Lectures
- Textbook - reading a chapter for the first time
Time - Since your short term memory cannot hold much, you don't want to spend too much time. You shouldn't take more than two classes in a row, without a break. The amount of time you spend reading your text will depend on how much you already know about the subject. The stronger your background in the subject, the more time you can read without overloading your memory (30-60 minutes or more). If your background in the subject is weak, you should only read for very short periods (15 to 30 minutes).

Review/Practice

Over old information
Moving information into Long Term Memory (LTM) for permanant storage
The only way to move information into LTM is to use it!
A good way to "use" the information from your classes is to take the questions you made in Preview Study and test yourself.

"The Hurwitz Study Principle"

"Don't waste time studying what you already know."

When you take notes or read your textbook, you begin forgetting immediately. But, you don't forget everything. So when you review, only review the stuff you forgot, or don't know!

"But how do I know what I know?"

How do your teachers know what you know? They test you. So for you to know what you know and what you don't know, you need to test yourself.

"Review or practice study should be self testing!"

Review or practice study constitutes almost 75% of the studying you will normally do. If all you do to review is to reread your notes or your text, you are wasting your time. Use the questions you generate while taking notes and while doing your initial reading of your text books to continually test yourself. This will build confidence and reduce test anxiety.

Study at a regular time and a regular place. Plan scheduled study blocks at about the same time each day. Your body will fall into the pattern and be ready to study with less fidgeting. Remember that you may be making a new habit while breaking an old habit. This may be hard to do at first.
Time - Since you are processing information into LTM, you can spend longer periods than in Preview study. You should plan many 2 hour study blocks distributed throughout the week for your Review or Practice.
There is no amount of time that would be too short for Review or Practice Study. Since this type of study is almost 75% of the studying you do, any spare time you have to test yourself will add up and help you prepare for your tests.
You can review or practice while waiting for a class to begin; while standing in line at the food court; while riding the bus to and from school; etc.

Creative Study

Creative work involves writing English papers, speeches, research papers, art projects, computer programs and other types of learning in which you are not taking in information but putting out information of some kind.
In this type of study a flow develops which you don't want to stop until the project is completed. For the flow to develop, you must be relaxed. If you put off your assignment until the night before it is due, anxiety may cause a block which inhibits creative ideas.
Begin early. Start by brainstorming and allowing ideas to flow without judgement. You can revise later. Understand from the beginning that you will make more than one draft or model.
If you are writing or making a project, you may find yourself caught up in the ``Creative Flow.'' Remember to take breaks and not to sacrifice your health (staying up all night) for the sake of the project.

Research

This type of study is a combination of all the previous types and involves a series of steps:

Decide on a Topic
Identify Sources of information
Locate the Sources of information - Here you will begin reading the reference information and taking notes. Later you will need to cite these references. While taking notes create a file of 3x5 cards with bibliographic information on each reference. Take notes on 5x7 cards which can later be placed on a word processor for use when organizing the information.
Organize the information - By arranging and re-arranging the 5x7 cards, or by moving the information around on your word processor, you can develop an outline and a rough draft for your paper.
First Draft - On the first draft don't worry about grammar or spelling. Those are corrected on later drafts, especially if your word processor includes a spell checker.
Later Drafts - Write -- Revise -- Rewrite.
Final Draft - Make at least 3 copies, one to turn in, and the other two to keep in case the original is lost. Never throw out your rough drafts. If you ever need to prove your work is your own, you can show all your preparatory materials.

To be successful it is important to plan ahead and set deadlines for each step in the process. If you use a word processor for your research, steps 4 through 7 will be much easier but you still need to follow deadlines for each step. The steps that take place in the library require time to set up. Longer study periods (two or more hours) are more efficient, but take ten-minute breaks each hour to relieve boredom and muscle strain.