I hope everyone had a nice relaxing Thanksgiving break!

I also hope that everyone used some of their time off to continue (or begin) studying for their upcoming final exams. In light of next week’s exams, we thought it would be timely to feature a resource that would be helpful in studying for those exams. Study Guides and Strategies is a website that includes, well,  just that, numerous study guides and strategies to help you become a better student! The website covers everything from test taking tips to study systems to help with time and project management.  Some of the other topics include classroom participation, reading, preparing for tests, and help with math and writing. 

 The “A.S.P.I.R.E.” Study System is an outline of good study practices  and an example of what you might find on the website.

A:  Approach/attitude/arrange:

• Approach your studies with a positive attitude
• Arrange your schedule to eliminate distractions

S: Select/survey/study:

• Select a reasonable chunk of material to study
• Survey the headings, graphics, pre- and post questions  to get an overview
• Study marking any information you don’t understand

P: Put aside/piece together:

• Put aside your books and notes
• Piece together what you’ve studied, either alone, with a study pal or group, and summarize what you understand.

I: Inspect/Investigate/inquire:

• Inspect what you did not understand.
• Investigate alternative sources of information you can refer to:
  other text books, websites, experts, tutors, etc.
• Inquire from support professionals (academic support, librarians, tutors, teachers, experts) for assistance

R: Reconsider/reflect/relay:

• Reconsider the content:
  If I could speak to the author, what questions would I ask or what criticism would I offer?
• Reflect on the material:
  How can I apply this material to what I am interested in?
• Relay understanding:
  How would I make this information interesting and understandable to other students?

E: Evaluate/examine/explore:

• Evaluate your grades on tests and tasks, look for a pattern
• Examine your process toward improving it
• Explore options with a teacher, support professional, tutor, etc.

We encourage you to go to the website and look around, perhaps choose one new approach to studying for final exams or finishing final projects. Then, over winter break, explore a couple of the topics to try out in the new term – maybe improve your reading skills and get more usable knowledge from those heavy textbooks or learn new ways to approach tests with confidence.

Good luck from GradeFirstAid in the coming weeks!