Study Tips:
Before diving into a course, be sure to review the entire study guide to see the big picture of what lies before you.
It is important to know what will be covered in a course, so you know where you are going. Be proactive with your studies! Use the layout of the study guide to plan your study time.
Everyone has different academic strengths.
Recognize what you do well and be confident in your abilities. Once you know your strengths you will be able to recognize the subject areas in which you are not as strong. Focus your study time on the areas that need strengthening.
Get your priorities in order.
Plan out how much time you need to set aside each day for your studies, making sure that you have left yourself some leisure time as well. Doing a little bit of work each day is better than cramming all of your studying into one afternoon. At the end of every study session step back and review what you have accomplished. Take pride in your work.
Use outside resources to connect what you are learning to the real world.
Read the newspaper or watch the news to relate your studies to practical life scenarios. Also, take advantage of your local library and the internet to further your studies.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions.
When you come across something in a course that you do not understand, be sure to share your questions with an instructor. Ignoring subject areas that are confusing will make the course harder in the long run. Pay attention to the items you miss in both the study guide and on the assessments. Take some extra time to study the items you missed to ensure your understanding of the material.
Make your studies more personal by sharing your work with your instructor to get some feedback and encouragement.
Keep up your motivation when you start feeling discouraged or overwhelmed by reminding yourself of the reasons you are pursuing a high school diploma. Think of the qualifications you will achieve, the chance of acquiring a better job, or the possibilities it will provide for your family.
Take notes while you read.
Notes should be brief summaries of what you have read. This will help you maintain concentration while studying. Making notes will help you better understand what you are learning by writing out the information in your own words. It will be easier for you to reference your notes when studying for an exam than to try and find the information in the text.
