Learning Tools
Ways to take notes, delve into academic reading, and study.
There are many ways to process information. I am a strong believer in the SQW3R method, but that may not work best for you. Here are some other ways you might find to work better for your learning style to help you through de Blij (and WHAP next year). The key to ALL of these strategies is that you WRITE IN YOUR OWN WORDS. Copying and quoting de Blij will not help you - you've already read that quote! You must, must, must put things in your own words to truly own the information. Speaking about it will also help solidify the information in your mental filing cabinet.
Here are a few of my favorite methods of interacting with a text.
Here are a few of my favorite methods of interacting with a text.
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The Complete How to Read de Blij Without Tears
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SQW3R strategy
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I am a big believer in in this strategy the College Board
suggests. It doesn't work for everybody, but for me this is it. |
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Mind Mapping |
Another strategy many students find helpful is mind mapping. This is a more visual representation of a chapter. A great example is the picture above. You might have heard of these called concept webs are concept spiders. The best ones have color and as always, use their creator's OWN WORDS. The link to the right is a great website that explains how to create one. There are also some links to free places to create yours electronically. If you make one that really works for you, please bring it in to show me!
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Outline |
And of course there is always the old standby, outlining. This is what got me through college, guys. Seriously. I tend to be more of a chronological thinker, so mindmaps are not my joy, but I have seen many visual students do very well with them. If you don't like that idea, try an outline for a more linear focus. Again, the key is to write in your OWN WORDS. Here are some instructions on how to create an outline.
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