Study skills

The Complete Study Skills Guide - Table of Contents

 

CHAPTER 1: Developing your learning skills

1. Understanding how to learn
   Becoming a reflective learner
   Training your body and mind to learn
   Recognising your learning style
   Improving concentration and memory
   Using your brain effectively
   Using memory and brain improvement tools
   Overcoming problems with learning

CHAPTER 2: Learning to be organised

1. Managing your time
   Juggling work, study and play
   Completing coursework and meeting deadlines
   Preparing a study plan
   Using task and time management software
   Overcoming organisation problems
   Maximising productivity

CHAPTER 3: Enhancing your reading skills

1. Preparing for academic reading
   Developing your academic reading
   Improving reading speed
   Improving understanding
   Organising and recording your reading

CHAPTER 4: Improving your English language skills

1. Improving your spelling
   Knowing how to punctuate
   Developing your grammatical skills
   Improving your vocabulary
   Seeking and receiving help

CHAPTER 5: Enhancing your writing skills

1. Writing at the correct level and pitch
   Developing a concise writing style
   Structuring essays and assignments
   Editing and proofreading
   Overcoming writer's block

CHAPTER 6: Taking effective notes

1. Taking notes from books and journals
   Taking notes from online sources
   Using online note-taking applications
   Taking notes in lectures and seminars
   Organising your paper notes
   Organising your electronic notes
   Understanding plagiarism
   Understanding copyright

CHAPTER 7: Improving your listening skills

1. Becoming an active listener
   Improving your listening skills in lectures and seminars
   Effective listening in group-work
   Listening to tutor feedback
   Listening to research participants
   Using audio devises in research
   Using audio devises in lectures and classes

CHAPTER 8: Developing your thinking skills

1. Understanding how we think
   Developing thoughts and imagination
   Learning how to question
   Solving problems
   Hypothesising and theorising
   Reasoning inductively and deductively
   Recognising bias
   Critiquing and reviewing

CHAPTER 9: Studying independently

1. Planning your independent study
   Knowing where to start
   Conducting library research
   Conducting online research
   Organising, managing and storing information
   Remaining motivated

CHAPTER 10: Improving your scientific skills

1. Reading scientific material
   Questioning scientific information
   Understanding charts, tables and graphs
   Knowing about the scientific method
   Conducting experiments
   Improving your skills of observation
   Writing scientific reports and papers
   Using science software and online tools

CHAPTER 11: Improving your mathematical skills

1. Calculating averages and percentages
   Using fractions
   Making use of statistics
   Using mathematical diagrams
   Questioning numerical information
   Coping with problem sheets
   Taking mathematical tests
   Using mathematical software and online tools

CHAPTER 12: Using information technology

1. Making the most of IT equipment and facilities
   Using the internet at college and university
   Networking and communicating
   Managing and storing folders and documents
   Using databases
   Using spreadsheets
   Keeping safe

Chapter 13: Using e-learning technologies

1. Making the most of e-learning facilities and support
   Making the most of virtual learning environments
   Improving computing skills
   Improving online learning skills
   Learning from podcasts, blogs and wikis
   Understanding safety issues
   Understanding netiquette

Chapter 14: Getting the most out of lectures, seminars, tutorials and classes

1. Preparing for lectures, seminars, tutorials and classes
   Taking notes effectively
   Using technology to record lectures
   Improving concentration
   Knowing when and how to question
   Reviewing and evaluating
   Editing and organising notes
   Working with your tutor

Chapter 15: Working in groups

1. Improving your group communication skills
   Planning your group-work
   Producing group assignments
   Understanding group roles
   Recognising effective and ineffective groups
   Coping with difficult group members
   Enhancing your group experience

Chapter 16: Undertaking projects

1. Knowing about the different types of project work
   Planning your project
   Structuring your project
   Managing your project
   Presenting your work
   Working on your own
   Working with other students

Chapter 17: Conducting social research

1. Beginning a research project
   Choosing a research methodology
   Choosing research methods
   Using questionnaires
   Interviewing people
   Conducting focus groups
   Analysing data

Chapter 18: Writing a long report or dissertation

1. Knowing about structure and style
   Using statistics, facts, opinions and arguments
   Using personal experiences
   Presenting data
   Editing and proof-reading
   Presenting your work
   Producing references and a bibliography
   Using bibliographic software
   Improving your marks

Chapter 19: Passing examinations

1. Revising effectively
   Using online revision tools
   Preparing for an exam
   Taking an exam
   Improving exam marks
   Coping with stress

Chapter 20: Passing tests

1. Preparing for and taking written tests
   Preparing for and taking oral tests
   Preparing for and taking open book tests
   Preparing for and taking online tests
   Preparing for and taking multiple choice tests
   Overcoming anxiety

Chapter 21: Improving your presentation skills

1. Presenting a seminar
   Presenting at conferences
   Using visual aids
   Using presentation software
   Producing hand-outs
   Overcoming nervese

Chapter 22: Increasing your chances of success

1. Maintaining health
   Coping with stress
   Creating a working environment
   Gathering resources
   Setting goals
   Building motivation
   Gaining transferable skills

Appendix 1

1. Study skills tips
   

Appendix 2: Study skills support

1. Using learner support units
   Enrolling on study support sessions
   Enrolling on training courses
   Obtaining IT support
   Obtaining disability support

Appendix 3: Study skills software

1. Free open source software packages
   Free online note-taking applications
   Reading and writing support
   Bibliographic software
   Revision tools
   Online presentation tools and software

Appendix 4

1. Study skills websites
   

Appendix 5

1. Study skills books