How to improve your grades
This article provides you with practical ways to: read for understanding, take notes during lectures and tutorials, successfully take tests, memorize information and manage your time. If you master these activities you will see an improvement in your grades.
Reading
If you understand what you read then you are likely to succeed in your studies. One method of ensure that you understand what you read (generally) is the S.Q.3 R Method. This is how it works.
Survey: Briefly examine the title, author’s name, credentials and qualifications. Examine the table of content to get an idea of what the book is all about. Read the introduction or preface which tends to give the author’s point of view or bias. Examine each chapter by looking at title introductory statement and all main headings. Find out the intended audience. Look at illustrations (If any). Read the summary or final statement. Question: Before actual reading commences, ask yourself questions that you think should be answered within the book or chapter. Read: Now read the passage or chapter to find the answers to the questions asked. During reading, try to recall the outline of previous chapters before proceeding to the next. Recite: Recite the answers to the question to help you remember them. Review: Reconstruct or review the material in the fashion of the survey. Recall all the important ideas that the author has discussed.
For readers in the area of science, the P.Q.R.S.T method is very useful. Preview: Skim rapidly through the total section. Question: Raise questions to guide your thoughts through the reading. Read: Read through the selection keeping the questions in mind. Summarize: Summarize and organize the information. Test: Test or check your summary against what is in the chapter or passage.
For readers in the area of mathematics, the S.Q.R.C.Q approach. Survey: Survey or read the problem rapidly to determine its nature. Question: Raise questions to decide or clarify what is being asked and what is the problem. Read: Read with a question in mind such as ‘what process (es) should be applied? Compute: Carry out the actual operation i.e. addition, multiplication and division etc. Question: Question the answer against arithmetic facts that are given to you within the problem.
TakingNotes
Effective note taking consist of observing, recording and reviewing.
Observing: Focus your attention on the instructor or material being studied. Pay close attention to the instructor’s body language and facial expression. Pay attention to your writing, this will help to keep your focus. Observe the format and structure of your notes this is more important than the way you write. Recording: Record your source of information. Write in outline form. Show the relationship between main points and supporting ones. Write notes in paragraphs and copy important material from the chalk, white board or power point slide for example, formulae, diagrams and problems. Use only one side of the paper, this makes reviewing and organizing simpler. During note taking, keep your ideas separate from the instructor’s actual notes. Label, number and date all notes. Be selective; avoid matters not relevant to the topic. Use complete sentences especially when important materials are being recorded. Take notes in Color, notes that are visually pleasing can be easier to review. Reviewing: Look over your notes. If necessary telescope your original notes into subheadings. Cut details and make links as you review. Decide for yourself how to use your notes. Work out a method of reviewing that suits you.
Tests or examinations
Tests are integral part of any course. The three most frequently used tests or examinations are: multiple choice, short answers and essay.
Short Answer Tests: This contain questions which often ask for a definition or short description. The answers must be short. Concentrate on keywords and facts and be brief. Multiple choice: Answer the question in your head before your look at the possible answers. Identify the obvious ‘distractions’ in order to eliminate them. Check the most appropriate answer. Mark questions you can’t answer immediately and come back to them later (if you have time). Read all answers to a question before selecting one. Guessing should always be your last resort. Essay: Write legibly. Be brief (this depends on what is required). Write on one side of the paper. Be sure of what the question is asking. Before writing make a quick outline of the essay. Make note of the structure, normally an essay should contain: an introduction, a middle/body and a conclusion or summary. When you start to write ‘get to the point’
Memorization
The ability to memorize might be more pertinent in some subject areas than to others. The brain will remember facts if they are recalled frequently. So frequent practicing and thinking about given material will aid memorization. Memorization can be aided by: paying attention, contemplation and time and some well developed ‘Knacks’.
Pay Attention: Attentiveness to information being given or read will assist in its storage in the long term memory. Pay close attention to your thinking during a lecture see if you can remember the last major point made if you are unable to then you need to consciously reconnect with the lecture. Contemplation and time: Don’t cover new material too quickly. Think about it, think about what you already know about the subject area, think of examples and illustrations and main points that are pertinent to the subject you are studying. Knacks for Memorization: Find or make up activities that can help you to make use of information studied. This will help to restructure the information so it ‘makes sense’. Recitation and rote learning can facilitate memorization. Make use of mnemonics. Categorise information. It is easier to remember things that are related. The process of making sense of study material i.e. understanding it will facilitate memorization. Repetition and constant use of information will enable memorization.
Time Management
There are many different strategies for managing your time. However the focus should be on weeding out activities that deliver little rewards, thus making time for more productive ones. Self-organisation is of importance in effective time management.
Schedule fixed block time: Start with time periods that are determined in advance e.g. class time, work time, eating time and sleeping. All other activities must be scheduled around these. Allow flexibility in your schedule: Recognise that unexpected things happen. Build in blocks of unplanned for time in your schedule and time table for emergencies, spontaneous activities and errands. Schedule study time: Be aware of your best time of the day for study and schedule study time during this period. Study your most difficult subject first. Set clear starting and stopping times for each task. Short study time is recommended. If you study in long sessions schedule rest time. Avoid similar subject ‘back to back’ during long study sessions. Use a regular area for study for example a library. Schedule time for fun: It is important to waste time once in a while. Recreation will give the brain that is constantly stimulated by new ideas time to assimilate the information.
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Bibliography:
Ellis, D. (1994). Becoming a Master student Seventh Edition Houghton Mifflin Boston MA USA
Freeman, R. (1982). Mastering Study Skills Houghton Mifflin Boston MA USA
Lecture notes (1986) Reading and Information Gathering Skills, Joint Board of Teacher Education University of the West Indies. Jamaica West Indies
McKowen, C (1979) Getting you ‘A’ out of College Mastering the Hidden rule of the game Crisp Publishing Inc USA
Petty, G. (1993). A practical guide, Teaching Today Wiltshire, United Kingdom
Pitfield, M., & Donnolly, R. (1980). How to take Exams, Londale Universal print ltd, Great Britain.
William, K. (1989). Study Skills Macmillan Press Ltd Hong Kong