Study Guide

for successful learning

 Study Guide
for successful learning

Knowing You
Yourself Motivation to
Learning style learn?
Concentration End goal?
Focus Activate your
Doing it well learning capacity
Being Finish the
Organised task
Time schedule
Due Dates
Materials
Equipment
Study space

Effective
Reading
Research
Note taking
Memory

Effective Exams
Writing Preparation
Essays Support
Reports Useful resources
Assignments Self-care
Assessments &
Projects reducing
stress

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 Intrinsic motivations
You • Learning a new skill
Motivation to • Overcoming a challenge
learn? • Satisfying a curiosity
• A sense of control
End goal? • Comparing our performance to others
Activate your • Helping others
learning • Recognition & accomplishment
capacity •
•

About You Mark the items that are motivating you

Understanding what motivates you and and add any other internal influences.
how you learn best is a great way to drive
your studies. Extrinsic motivations -Behaviour that is
driven by external rewards. You feel happy
With purpose comes the energy and drive because you receive something for what
needed to reach your goals. you are doing from an external source.
• What are your needs & passions? • Money
• What motivates you? • Fame
• What’s your most effective learning • High grades
style? • Praise
• Do you know yourself and what works • Recognition
for you? •
•
Mindfulness to unlock your motivations
Pay attention to the purpose of your stud-
ies. What are you feeling when you think Mark the items that are motivating you
about the purpose or end goal you are and add any other external influences.
working towards?
Thinking about your purpose and end
Why are you motivated and what are the goals. Write a few sentences about where
reasons for your interest and motivation? your motivation and drive comes from.
Focus on how you are feeling right now.
What happens if you lose motivation?
Intrinsic motivations -Behaviour that is
driven by internal rewards. You feel happy 1. Think about the big picture
because it is meaningful, you have had a • What is your end goal/purpose for
choice in what you are doing, competent studying? e.g. becoming a lawyer,
and a sense of satisfaction and progress. A carpenter, teacher.
feeling of accomplishment. • Is this still your end goal?

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What happens if you lose motivation?
End Goal
2. Have you got a balanced schedule? Write your end goal/s here
• Are you comfortable with all your
subjects?
• Do you need to put more time into
some subjects and less for others?
• Are you getting enough down time,
rest and me time?

3. Take regular breaks

• A sensible schedule with regular
breaks gives you a better chance of
remembering what you are studying.

4. Try to have fun when studying

• As crazy as this sounds the more Important steps I need to take to reach my
enjoyable you make it the easier it end goal/s
will be.
• Look at where you study.
• Are you studying with friends?
• Try taking notes by using diagrams or
visually mapping things
• Watch a movie you are studying with
a friend, write comparing notes

5. Give yourself a reward for your

hard work
• Good grades or achievements deserve
a reward
• Treat yourself to something nice
• Go out for coffee, lunch, to the movies
or to the beach
• Buy something nice for yourself

Possible
barriers

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Activate your learning capacity

1. Active learners successfully man-

Knowing
age their own learning Yourself
Learning style
• Be enthusiastic about learning Concentration
something new. If you already know Focus
the information then ask questions
about what you don’t know to deepen
Doing it well
your knowledge. Finish the
• Get involved in discussions and task
debates
• Empower yourself by making
Learning Styles
decisions about your learning, choose Recognising the learning styles that
to take control and succeed. you like can assist with the retention
• Know that you are capable. So just go of information and the enjoyment of
ahead and do what needs to be done. your learning.
• Be a team player, work together to Visual (seeing)
solve problems and encourage and You prefer to learn
motivate others. through visual
representation of
2. Set Goals
the information.
• Setting goals gives you something to
work towards
• Graphs
• Break goals down into steps that are • Pictures
achievable and measurable • Diagrams
• Have a back up plan if things change • Film/documentary
direction
Kinesthetic (doing)
3. Be inquisative You prefer to learn by
• Research and read widely doing the activity.
• Pick a book that you wouldn’t
normally read • Remember by doing the task
• Gather information • Speak with your hands
• Analyse and evaluate information. • Move around
What benefit was it to you? How has • Manipulate objects
it helped you or others? What is the • Physical experiments
message or purpose of the text? • Learn by trying
• Make informed decisions by finding • Working in groups to solve problems
out as much information as possible • Touching
• Use resources available to you
• Challenge others ideas and your own.

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 Auditory (listening) Find a study space that will have the least
You prefer to learn by amount of distractions and interuptions.
listening and hearing
the information. Turn off electrical devices, exit out of your
email.

• Reading Take breaks between subjects so you don’t

• lectures get bored, try to avoid mixing subjects up
• exploration through words and getting confused.

Concentration and focus Doing it well

To allow you to concentrate and focus Just doing enough is easy, however doing
on your studies, eliminate as many something well takes focus and energy.
distractions as possible.
You get out of life what you put into it.
Circle the items that distract you the If you put little effort in you will get little
most. Being aware of the distractions results, if you put big effort in you will get
can assist you in managing them better. big results. So this is up to you.

Set yourself challenges big or small, this

can help with reaching a bit higher and
extending yourself further. For example;
• Get higher than 85% in my next
maths test.
• Achieve a high ATAR score
• Go to university
• Focusing on my homework without
interuptions

Write down a few personal

challenges that will push you to
improve or do something better than
before.

*
*
*
*
*
*
*
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Finish the task There is a blank time schedule and study
Finishing a task or a piece of work gives plan at the end of this booklet.
you a sense of achievement, Intrinsic
motivation, extrinsic motivation, builds Things to consider when creating your
self-esteem and keeps you on track. time schedule and study plan.
• Managing your time well is a skill that
Again setting an intension to finish will help you in your life and your
something sets the scene for you to studies.
actually do it. For example; • When setting time aside for study, the
• Finish the essay in class today key is to use this time effectively.
• Finish the first part of my assignment • Follow your plan and make
by Wednesday adjustments along the way to
• Finish designing my project maximise your learning.
• Try and avoid leaving things to the
last minute
Set yourself a few clear intentions • Spread your study across the week
below around finishing your current • Try and create a routine that works
tasks. What are your priorities? • Make a plan at the end of the week
for next week
* • Have a diary or calendar with all the
* due dates, test and exams for each
* term.
* • Make one day in the weekend free
Being
from study where possible.
Organised
Time schedule Materials, equipment & study space
Due Dates Clean your study area, reduce clutter and
Materials create an environment that you would
Equipment like to spend time studying in. Make sure
Study space the room is at a good temperature, has
adequate lighting, a comfortable chair and
desk.
Time schedule
Get organised by gathering everything you
When are you most productive?
need for your studies; Text books, note
In the morning, lunch time or afternoon?
paper, pens, pencil, ruler, highlighters,
Use your most productive time of the day
calculator, water and any other materials
to tackle any study, assessments or tasks
you need.
that you find challenging or have been
putting off. Use a time schedule to map
Drinking 8-10 glasses of water a day
out your day, ensuring you allow time for
improves problem solving and brain
rest and some time for yourself.
performance.

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 • Look for the glossary in the back and
review key words used in the text
Effective • Review the index for other useful text
Reading
Research • Flick through the pages and run your
Note taking eyes over diagrams and pictures
Memory • See if the book has chapter
summaries and question guides or
look for these online

• Read the first and last paragraphs of

Research
the most important chapters that you
What information are you trying to find or
noted earlier
learn about?
• Find out the writing style of the book
The primary purpose of your research and by reading a couple paragraphs of text
reading is to find out information related here and there.
to the topic, subject or assignment you are
working on. • Watch the movie or film based on the
text, this will give you an overall feel
Having a clear understanding of the for the story.
purpose for your reading helps you find
the appropriate text and information easily • Don’t waste time reading unecessary
and efficiently. text that is not providing the answers
to the information you need.
How to read effectively Note taking
You will most likely have a lot of reading You cannot rely only on your memory,
to do. Here are some tips to make it note taking imbeds your learning and
easier. gives you something to refer back to when
needed.
• Note down the information and
content you are trying to find, have Taking your own notes puts the
this close by information into a format that you
understand, its in your own language.
• Look at the Table of contents, Chapter
headings and subheadings Here are some tips for taking notes.

• Identify and mark where the • Only write down key points and
information is located in the text that summarise the information being
is most important to your needs taught

• Read the preface and introduction • Put it in your own words or in a way
that makes sense to you.
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• Use good A4 lined loose paper or in a Other key tips:
bound book , if possible one for each
subject or a section per subject so as • Take a photo of the board
it is organised and easy to find.
• Write down any key points the
• Write the subject, topic and date at teacher is talking abour or asking for
the top of the page and number the
• If you miss a class ask your friends for
pages at the bottom. This helps later if
notes or information
you decide to tear out the notes.
• If your teacher says something is
• Staple them together if you do tear
“important” make sure you note this
them out later.
information down
• You may like to take notes directly on
• Examples are a good way to reinforce
your computer or ipad, again name
and remember information so notate
and date the file so you can find the
these when given
info later. Put the file in a folder for
each subject or topic. • Write down any reference details
about a book or person who
• Keeps notes on one side of the paper
discovered or wrote about the topic or
only, it helps when you can lay the
subject matter
info out side by side with turning it
over. • Important reminders at the end of the
class should be jotted down
• If you can read your own notes then
it’s ok. Don’t worry about anyone else • Write down or copy and paste
being able to read them. hyperlinks to refer to later.
• Use headings, highlighters and • Review your notes shortly after you
different colours to differenciate have taken them, this reinforces
between important notes and the information and your ability to
information. Use a method that works remember while still fresh in your
for you. mind.
• Leave some space after a particular Memory
topic, so you can add further notes The key to remembering is to move
later. information from short-term memory to
your long-term memory. Tips on how to
The most important thing is to take notes.
do this.
Without notes you will forget the content
and not be able to peice each class • Have a study plan so you can alocate
together or get an overall picuture of the time to subjects adequately
subject matter or topic.
• Space out your study. For example
if you need three hours to study
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 for a Maths exam do it in 3 x 1hour read effectively” section.
sets with a 10-20 minute break in
between
Question - Ask yourself questions about
• Your brain strengthens memories the content. What did I find out? Did I find
during breaks the information I was looking for? What
information is useful to me in my life?
• The enviroment you create when What other information would I like to
studying makes a difference to your know?
memory. The type of pen or pencil Read - Now read the paragraphs and
you used, how you felt and so on. other detailed sections straight through
Make the study of each subject including diagrams, graphs and pictures.
memorable in some way that works This begins the process of placing the
for you. e.g. English has green information in your memory in an orderly
headings. way.
• Set shorter periods of study for hard Recite - Ask and answer questions about
subjects and longer periods of study the information. Read the chapter heading
time for easier subjects and answer questions from your memory
without looking at the book.
• Study subject in blocks don’t mix and Review - Spend a couple of minutes to
change around, it can cause confusion. review the main points in the material you
Have a lunch break and drink of water have just read and recited.
and then start another subject.
• Draw a diagram
• Make what you are learning
meaninful, another words you need to • Recite or say things outloud
understand what you are learning and
not just remember content. • Practise a skill by doing it

• To make it meaningful you need to • Write it out or type it out

be familiar with the subject, learn as
much as you can this makes it easier • Tell someone else what you have
to learn new related information learnt and get them to ask you further
questions
• Make a rhyme out of the information
to help remember. “I before E except • Create flash cards
after C”.
• Convert headings to questions. Add
• Look for patterns in any material you ‘what’, ‘why’, ‘how’ or ‘where’ to the
learn. break long numbers into groups heading.

• Your motivation and interest is key to

SQ3R- Survey, Questions, Read, Recite & making sense of and enjoying what
Review you are learning. It makes it easier to
Survey the material - See the “how to retain and recall the information.

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• Associate text with something you that are critical to the work you need to
are familiar with. Like creating an complete.What do I need to do?
acronym that you can remember.
How long have I got to do it?
For example: LOL- laugh out loud
Have I got the text I need to read or do I
The more times you can review the need to find the right information?
main points spaced over hours and days
if possible the better you will be at Break the work or assignment into
remebering the material. sections. Plan out how you will complete
each section on your study planner.

Essays
Introduction
Effective
Writing Main essay body
Essays
What conclusions have you drawn, your
Reports critical judgement of what you have read
Assignments
Assessments Summary
Projects Conclusion

Before you start to write anything down,

It does not matter what type of writing read the purpose of the writing again.
you are completing or presenting, what
you need to think about is the information Always write a draft version, then review
you are trying to get across to the reader. and read over your work to make sure it
flows, makes sense, has no spelling or
What questions need to be responded to gramatical errors and most of all answers
or answered? the question or the requirements of the
task.
What format is required?
Present your work in a way that makes
Which format is most appropriate to the you proud of your achievement and is
topic, subject and your audience. enjoyable for the reader with a complete
reference list.
Have the instructions or questions that
need to be answered along with any Have the due date clearly set out and
guidelines in front of you, this sets the recorded. Hand in your work on time.
intention for what you are required to
write about. There is plenty of useful information and
templates available on-line to help you
Read through the instructions thoroughly, with presenting your work. This is the easy
note down any key points to remember component, the hard part is meeting the
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requirements of the assessment task and underprepared
adequately answering the questions in
• What were the major topics covered?
your own words.
• Refer to returned assignments,
handouts, class notes and any other
useful review material.
Exams
Preparation • Summarise the topic again, draw
diagrams or visualisation tools to help
Support
you remember, practice examples
Useful resources and use any of the memory strategies
Self-care discussed earlier.
&
• Practice an exam scenario, sitting
reducing for 2-3 hours using nothing but your
stress memory. Set yourself a mock exam,
write down some questions related
Preparation to the subject and topic and then
To prepare well for exams you need to practise remembering the content.
know and have a clear idea of what you
are preparing for. • Try not to cram in study for extended
hourse before the exam, this is the
This is where your time management least effective way to prepare.
and planning skills really come into play.
Referring back to the study plan template • Sleep the night before is very
create and map out the study you will beneficail and a light going over the
need to do coming up to the exams. Think subject matter should be all you need
about which exams and results are a if you have planned your study well in
priority for you and make sure you allow advance.
extra time for these. Preparation reduces
stress, reduced stress allows you to think • READ THE INSTRUCTIONS FOR YOUR
clearer and retain information better. EXAM THOROUGHLY

Things to consider: • Look over the whole exam paper

• What will be the format of the exam; • Look at how much the questions are
will it be an essay, short answer, worth and allocate appropriate time.
multiple choice?
• Make sure you read all the answers in
• What materials do I need and can I a multiple choice question
take into the exam?
• Show all workings for your maths
• Review all the study you have done
they want to see how you solved the
on the subject and topic to date.
problem as well as the answer
• Over preparation is better than being

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• Make sure you answer the question Believe in yourself, trust that you have
being asked and respond in the the ability to get through the exams and
way they want you to. For example that you have put the time and effort in to
critique, discuss, define or give an the best of your abilities.
account of.....
Follow your heart, reconnect with the
• Don’t be afraid to use diagrams to purpose of your studying to give you the
represent or add detail. label diagrams drive, courage and intention to suceed.
so they know what its about.
Useful Resources
Support
http://ceav.vic.edu.au/work-futures/student-
Remember the “High Five Principals”
resources/
• Change is constant http://www.wikihow.com/Increase-Your-
• Learning is lifelong Brain-Power

• Access your allies http://www.youthcentral.vic.gov.au/studying-

training/studying-tips-resources/top-10-exam-
• Know yourself, believe in yourself & tips
follow your heart
http://www.youthcentral.vic.gov.au/studying-
• Focus on the Journey training/studying-tips-resources/top-10-study-
This is a time where you may need to tips
access your allies if you are having http://www.youthcentral.vic.gov.au/study-
trouble. and-training/high-school/6-tips-for-surviving-
year-12
• Ask a friend to study with you if you
need help with a subject Self-care & reducing stress

• Ask a parent to help you Keeping your Cool

• Ask a teacher questions or for support C Connect to Self
• Get some tutoring O Observe Self
• Research more information ask for
O Observe others
help in the library
• Talk to someone you have a good L Listen to yourself
relationship with that you know will
Be true to your needs and follow through
help
with your inner guidence and instincts.

This is what will keep you cool when

Know yourself, what works for you or things get busy or you are under pressure.
what has worked in the past in stressful
situations. How do you learn best?

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Connect to Self Observe Self
Connecting to yourself allows you to feel Now that you know how to connect to
your stress levels, take control of them yourself and take control of the stress in
and use tools to relieve the pressure your body you will need to observe when
and tension in your body and settle your stress is begining to take control.
thoughts.
Signs of Stress:
* Stop what you are doing
* Racing around
* Strech your arms up and then relax
* Racing mind
* Focus on your breathing
* Negative thoughts
* Close your eyes if you can
* Swearing or getting angry
* Take 3 deep breaths. Hold for a few
seconds before exhaling * Holding your breath

* Blow out for as long as you can letting * Feeling anxious

go of all your stresses * Overwhelmed
* Remain focused on your breath until * Unmotivated
you feel the connection with yourself
* Emotional
* Focus on tight or tense areas in your
body * Down

* Stretch or massage this area or * Stressed

* Imagine breathing in through this part * Tired

of your body and breathing out the Symptoms of Stress:
tension and stress

* Can’t sleep active mind

* Exhausted

* Dry mouth, thirsty

* Feel sick in the stomach

* Can’t think clearly

* Run down and sick often

* Don’t know where to start

* Clenching jaw, grinding teeth

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Observe others Listen to yourself
We are all human and experience varying Your body is a highly tuned vessel.
degrees of stress in our lives. However if not maintained and taken care
of can become, warn out, sick and out
Take note of how other people handle of tune. Listening to what your body or
stressful situations well and learn from instincts are telling you keeps your body
them by adding these strategies to your and mind fine tuned for optimal function
tool kit. and well being.
Notice how other peoples stresses and Stress strategies:
demands affect you and try to distance * Deep breathing
yourself or protect yourself from negative
influences and tension that is not your * Water
responsibility.
* Excercise that you like
In other words take responsibility for
yourself and don’t take on other peoples * Healthy eating
stress, problems & negativity.
* Enough sleep
Behaving in a positive way, attracts
* Meditation
positive responses.
* Music
Nip gossip in the bud and keep all
interactions with friends family and your * Walking
community polite and positive.
* Conscious focus, mindfulness

* Enjoyable diversions, hobbies

* Take a break

* Stretching

* Essential Oils

* Plants, Flowers in your room

* Write it down, talk it out

* Get organised,to do lists,priorities

* Visualisation

* Reading, drawing, craft

* play with an animal

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