Six Steps to College Success: Learning Strategies for STEM Students

By Kathleen C. Straker and Eugenia G. Kelman

Six Steps to College Success is written for students who want to take charge of their own learning. Originally developed for graduate, medical, dental, veterinary and nursing students, these evidence-based techniques proved to be so successful that undergraduate students requested their own version of the book. The new field of Educational Neurosci

• Language: English
• Publisher: Karista Press
• Release date: Feb 6, 2015
• ISBN: 9780979847523

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Praise for Six Steps to College Success

There may not be a silver bullet for studying, but there are methods to study efficiently and effectively. The strategies in this book were vital to my success as a pre-medical (and now medical) student. I would recommend Six Steps to anyone who wants balance in life. There is a picture of triangle that says pick one: good grades, social life, or sleep. Well I can personally attest that with this book you can pick all three.

—Renny Varghese

The strategies in this book allowed me to manage my time and learn information in a way that was organized and easy to recall. I built a strong foundation of good study habits that I continued to use throughout college. Some of my favorite strategies were learning to how to take structured notes and the benefits of using a planner throughout the day as a guide for my classes, assignments and life. I became a well-rounded student, doing well in my studies and also having time for fun!

—Chinormso Diribe

Before I went to college I thought I was studying correctly. In high school I simply crammed and still set the curve on exams. It was not until I embarked on my college journey as a Biology/Pre-Med student that I finally met my match. The learning strategies in this book taught me time management, a skill that students commonly overlook and never apply into their daily study habits. Most notably it helped me achieve my goal of entrance into medical school. As I had an overabundance of MCAT study materials, I learned how to study efficiently and commit the information to long-term memory. Thanks to implementing the tools I learned, I was able to increase my MCAT score by six points.

—Elizabeth Ekpo

When it comes to study habits, I have personally discovered it takes more than a day, week or even month to really change how one looks at studying. It took trying all the wrong ways to find out the right way for me. Using the strategies in this book, I see a complete change in my attitude this semester. I enjoy studying now! I love that I know the material, and I am not just regurgitating something I have memorized. Learning how to analyze, discover and then organize is the key.

—Ashley Way

The book is very entertaining and informative! It is backed by decades of research and sprinkled with little quips. Six Steps walks the student through an easy transition to more effective study habits that will prepare her for success through college and into the workforce – or continued studies. I wish I had known these methods sooner!

—Jennifer Reiss

The authors are well-versed, very patient, and quite knowledgeable. Students who work with them master the skills of long-term retention, problem solving, and critical thinking. Too many institutions do little more than teach students to pass examinations. Straker and Kelman have developed a system that helps students truly learn, and succeed, for the long term.

—Dr. Ronald Johnson, DDS

The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston;

University of Pittsburgh Legacy Laureate and Distinguished Alumnus from the Harvard School of Dental Medicine

Copyright © 2015 Karista Press.

All Rights Reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, printing or recording by any information storage or retrieval system, without prior written permission from the publisher.

Karista Press

[e-mail]

www.SixStepsToCollegeSuccess.com

Publisher’s Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Straker, Kathleen C.

Six steps to college success: learning strategies for STEM students / Kathleen C. Straker, M.Ed.; Eugenia G. Kelman, Ph.D.

p. cm.

ISBN 978-0979847516 (pbk.)

ISBN 978-0979847523 (ebook)

Includes bibliographical references.

1. Study skills. 2. Learning. 3. Science--Study and teaching (Higher) --United States. 4. Technical education. 5. Education--Study and teaching (Higher) I. Kelman, Eugenia G. II. Title.

Q181 .S775 2014

620.0071/1 —dc23    2014916722

Book Production Team

Glenna Collett – Interior & Cover Design

www.glennacollettdesign.com

Christopher Edwin Nuzzaco/Shutterstock.com – Cover photo

Tammy Dubinsky – Illustrations

tammydubinsky.blogspot.com

Mark D'Antoni — eBook Conversion

eBook DesignWorks

Care has been taken to verify the accuracy of the information presented in this book and many students have benefited from the strategies included. However, the authors, editors and publisher are not responsible for errors or omissions or for any consequences from application of the information in this book.

To Mom and Dad for teaching me about grit.

To colleagues and students who have become dear friends.

—KCS

Acknowledgments

We have again enjoyed the support and encouragement of many people.

We are grateful to:

Dr. Dennis E. Daniels for inviting us to work with our first group of undergraduates.

Faculty, Staff and Students of the Undergraduate Medical Academy. Your hard work and dedication to excellence are a constant source of inspiration.

Patsy Cannon, MLS; Maria Aleman; Abrar Chowdhury, BS; Joyce Haley, MS; Rik Henrikson; Laura Kilgore, BS; Bao-Quyen Nguyen; Tran Nguyen; Abigail Norris; Jennifer Reiss; Reba Rios and Rick Straker, MS, for reviewing and commenting on drafts of this manuscript. Your comments and insights helped make this a better book. We, of course, take responsibility for any mistakes that may remain.

Tasia Isbell, Miranda Nguyen, Carmen Purvis and Maria Ruiz, for letting us include some of their notes as examples in this book.

The students who have attended our workshops and read our other books. Your enthusiasm, challenging questions, comments and insights are what make working with you so fun!

It is a joy and privilege to know and work with you all!

Contents

Foreword

START HERE

Laying the Foundation to Success

❱❱ What Makes This Book Different?

❱❱ Studying For the Long Term

What Do We Know About Learning, Retention and Long-Term Memory?

Figure 0.1 Bloom’s Taxonomy: Cognitive Domain

Figure 0.2 Ebbinghaus’s Forgetting Curve

How to Slow Down the Forgetting Process

The Learning Process

Figure 0.3 Learning Process Flowchart

How Do These Six Steps Help You in College—and the Rest of Your Life?

Maintaining Motivation

❱❱ How to Use This Book

❱❱ Current Study Strategies

❱❱ Summary

❱❱ References

Step One

Scheduling Your Time for Success

QUIZ How Do You Use Your Time Now?

❱❱ Track How You Use Your Time

What about Online Courses?

How to Decide if an Online Course Is Right For You

Get a Baseline of How You Spend Your Time Now

Act & Analyze

Exercise 1 — Estimate How You Use Your Time

Act & Analyze

Exercise 2 — Reality Check. How Do You Really Use Your Time?

Worksheet 1.1 Blank Time Recording Sheet

Analyze & Adjust

Check-Up for Exercise 2 — Time Recording

❱❱ Take Charge! Create Your Own Schedule

Planning Study Time

Figure 1.1 Ultradian Rhythms

Chart 1.1 Study & Break Times

Special Note About Online Courses

Scheduling Study Periods

Exercise and Study Breaks

Managing Your Schedule

Plan Enough Time for Sleep

Schedule Time for Friends and Family

What If You Have a Job?

Act & Analyze

Exercise 3 — Plan Your Schedule for the Next Week (Plan/Actual)

Analyze & Adjust

Check-up for Exercise 3 — Plan/Actual Time Recording

Worksheet 1.2 Plan/Actual Worksheet

Things You Can Do To Save Time

Let’s Talk about Procrastination

Analyze & Adjust

Exercise 4 — What Have You Learned?

❱❱ Summary

❱❱ References

Step Two

Prepare to Get More Out of Lecture and Reading (Pre-read)

Quiz Preparing for Lecture

❱❱ Why Prepare for Lecture?

How to Get the Most Out of Lecture

Benefits of Attending Lecture (Live or Recorded)

Reading Your Instructor

Pre-reading Is the Key to Getting the Most Out of Lecture

What Is Pre-reading?

Getting Acquainted with Your Textbook (e-book or print)

Sources for Pre-reading

What to Look at When You Pre-read

Critical Thinking Is Part of Pre-reading and Active Learning

When to Pre-read

Preparing for Online Courses

Act & Analyze

Exercise 1 — Pre-reading Trial Run

Guidelines for the Pre-reading Exercise

Analyze

Check-Up for Exercise 1 — Pre-reading Trial Run

Act

Exercise 2 — Incorporate Pre-reading in Your Schedule

Analyze & Adjust

Check-Up for Exercise 2 — Incorporate Pre-reading in Your Schedule

❱❱ Summary

❱❱ References

Step Three

Read and Make Notes

Quiz Note-Making

❱❱ How to Choose the Best Note Format

Computer Use for Class Notes

What to Include in Your Study Notes

Let’s Talk about Highlighting

Why You Should Make Great Notes

Rules for Making Study Notes

❱❱ Four Major Note Types

Flash Cards

Example of a Flash Card

Advantages and Disadvantages

Category Charts

Example of a Category Chart

Advantages and Disadvantages

Chart 3.1 The XII Cranial Nerves

Chart 3.2 The XII Cranial Nerves, continued

Chart 3.3 Electrical & Chemical Synapses

Chart 3.4 Personality Disorders

Chart 3.5 RNA Types

Chart 3.6 Microbiology Case Study

Tips on Making Your Own Category Charts

Chart 3.7 Learning Concepts Category Chart

Why Not Just Make Outlines?

Outline of Three Major Nutrients—Proteins, Fats and Carbohydrates

Chart of Three Major Nutrients—Proteins, Fats and Carbohydrates

Advantages of Charts over Outlines

How to Know When a Category Chart Is the Best Type of Note

Flowcharts

Flowchart 3.1 Binary Fission

How to Decide When to Use a Flowchart

Flowchart 3.2 Biogenesis of miRNAs

Diagrams

Diagram 3.1 Cell Membrane

Diagram 3.2 Plant Cell Structure

Combined Note Forms

Combination Diagram & Flowchart 3.1 Flu Virus

Battle of Fort Washington 1776­ (Combined Diagram& Flowchart)

How to Choose Which Note Type

Layout of Fort Washington (Diagram)

Battle of Fort Washington (Category Chart)

Mapping

Concept Map 3.1 Concept Mapping

How Can I Make Notes if I Don’t Understand the Topic?

What to Do When You Don’t Understand—Old School Book-Based Method

What to Do When You Don’t Understand—Computer-Based Method

Why Does This Work?

Scheduling Time to Make Good Notes

Storing Digital Files

Storing Paper Notes

Act

Reading and Note-Making

Act & Analyze

Check-up — Reading and Note-Making Exercise

Preparing for Lecture: Good / Better / Best

Adjust

❱❱ Summary

Decision Table 3.1 How To Choose a Note Type

Good Notes

Note Making vs. Note Taking

❱❱ References

Step FOUR

Review and Self-Test

Quiz Review and Self-Test

❱❱ Repeated Reviews and Practice Questions

What We Know about Memory

Reasons to Self-Test

How to Review and Self-Test

Tips for Reviewing and Self-Testing

Chart 4.1 Example of a Review and Self-Test Record

When to Schedule Your Review and Self-Test Time

Scoring Self-Tests

Using Old Exams to Self-Test

Act & Analyze — Incorporate Reviewing and Self-Testing into Your Schedule

Exercise 1

Exercise 2

Exercise 3

Analyze & Adjust

Check-Up — Incorporate Reviewing and Self-Testing into Your Schedule

❱❱ Summary

Chart 4.2 Six Steps Overview

❱❱ References

Step Five

Keep Focused

Quiz Factors Affecting Concentration

❱❱ Accomplish More in Less Time

Interruptions—Scheduled and Unscheduled

Act & Analyze

Exercises for the Seven Factors Affecting Concentration

Factor 1—Awake and Alert

Exercise 1

Exercise 2

Exercise 3

Exercise 4

Factor 2—Productive Attitude

Exercise 1

Factor 3—External Distractions

Exercise 1

Exercise 2

Exercise 3

Factor 4—Internal Distractions

Exercise 1

Exercise 2

Exercise 3

Exercise 4

Exercise 5

Factor 5—Work Pace

Exercise 1

Exercise 2

Factor 6­—Study for Extended Periods

Exercise 1

Exercise 2

Factor 7—Cues to Start Studying or Time-to-Study Rituals

Exercise 1

Exercise 2

Chart 5.1 Concentration Monitoring

Act & Analyze

Concentration Monitoring

Analyze & Adjust

Check-up

Concentration Monitoring Exercise

Checklist 5.1 Study Area

Checklist 5.2 Before a Study Period

The Roles of Sleep and Nutrition in Cognitive Functioning

❱❱ Summary

❱❱ References

Step SIX

Self-Talk

Quiz Self-Talk

❱❱ What Is Anxiety?

Figure 6.1 Motivation Curve

Motivation and Difficult Tasks

Test Anxiety

Changing the Way You Think

Table 6.1 Seven Types of Unproductive Thoughts

Are You Ready to Make a Change?

Act & Analyze

Exercise 1 — Learn to Identify Unproductive Thoughts

Exercise 2 — Identify Your Own Thought Patterns

Analyze & Adjust

Check-up for Exercise 2 — Identify Your Own Thought Patterns

❱❱ Persuade Yourself to Discard Unproductive Thoughts

Replace Unproductive Thoughts

Four Tips for Choosing Replacement Thoughts

Replace Your Unproductive Thoughts—as Easy as A. B. C. D.

Exercise 3 — Replace Thoughts by Arguing with Yourself

Worksheet 6.1 — Replace Unproductive Thoughts

Short Cut

Analyze & Adjust

Check-Up for Exercise 3 — Replace Unproductive Thoughts

Table 6.1 Fixed vs. Growth Mindset

Another Approach to Self-Talk—Growth Mindset

Mastery = Moving From Negativity to Enjoyment

Quiz Physical Symptoms of Anxiety

Exercise 4 — Make Encouragement Cards

Analyze & Adjust

Check-Up on Exercise 4 — Encouragement Cards

❱❱ Summary

❱❱ References

Next Steps

Bonus Material

How to Take a Test

Four Phases of Test Preparation

1. Content

2. Test Wise

3. Emotional

4. Physical

❱❱ A Day or Two Before a Test

❱❱ Immediately Before a Test

❱❱ During a Test

Keeping Track of Time

Working an Item Using the True, False, ? Approach

Careless Errors

Changing Answers

Expect the Unexpected

Tips for Improved Guessing on Classroom Exams

Out of Time

❱❱ What About Essay Questions?

❱❱ If You Start Getting Tired During an Exam

❱❱ After a Test: It’s Not Over Even When It’s Over

Worksheet 8.1 Test Error Analysis

Prepare for Entrance Exams

❱❱ Planning Your 3- to 4-Month Review Schedule

Preparation Tips

Standardized Exam Scores and Course Grades

How to Use Practice Questions and Practice Exams

A Step-by-Step Guide to Preparing for Your Entrance Exam

Application Tips

About the Authors

About the Illustrator

Foreword: Oscar, Ariel & Tran

The book (and adventure!) you are about to embark on is the same journey I went on to discover how to effectively and efficiently study and prepare for any class, any exam, and any