The Study Cycle
Step One: Preview Before Class
Skim the chapter. Note headings and boldface words. Review summaries and chapter objectives. Come up with questions you’d like the lecture to answer for you.
Step Two: Attend Class
Ask your questions and take meaningful, thorough notes. Engage in the lecture.
Step Three: Review After Class
As soon after class as possible, read notes, fill in gaps in your notes, and add any questions you have.
Step Four: Study the Material
Repetition is key. Ask questions such as “why”, “how”, and “what if.” Use Intentional Study Sessions (see below). Do three to five short study sessions a day. Use weekends to review. Read notes and material from the week to make connections to previous weeks’ material.
Step Five: Assess Your Learning
Periodically perform reality checks. “Am I using study methods that are effective? Do I understand the material enough to teach it to others?”
How to do Intentional Study Sessions
You can get a lot done in sixty minutes or so.
First: Set a Goal (1-2 minutes)
Decide what you want to accomplish during this intentional study session.
Second: Study with Focus (30-50 minutes)
Interact with the material:
- Preview it
- Ask questions
- Define terms, create examples, list characteristics of each term, and connect terms together
- Make concept maps
- Summarize, process
- Connect material to earlier readings and lectures
- Predict how it may fit in with future class sessions
- Re-read, fill-in notes, and reflect.
Third: Reward Yourself (10-15 minutes)
Take a break. Call a friend. Get a snack. Take a short walk.
Finally: Review (5-10 minutes)
Go over what you just studied and learned. Write down any questions.
Learn more at www.up.edu/learningcommons. (Adapted from The Study Cycle by Frank Christ (LSU): www.cas.lsu.edu.)
