Effective College Learning

Effective College Learning combines the academic intellect of Longman and the high-quality, color design of Dorling Kindersley to present a study skills textbook founded on contemporary research in learning theory that will appeal to today’s generation of visual learners.

Preface

To Students

To Instructors

Acknowledgements

About the Authors

Dedication

1. You Have Arrived: A Primer on College Life

Self-Assessment

Research into Practice

How is College Different from High School?

Different Expectations

Seeking Out College Services

Eight Situations You Can Expect to Encounter Sooner or Later

Feeling Comfortable with Your Professors and Advisors

Real College: Tamara’s Transition

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2. Getting things done: Organizing Yourself and Your Time

Self-Assessment

Research into Practice

The Basics of Self Management

The AT Heuristic of Time Management

Creating a Personalized Schedule

Planning for Midterms and Finals

Real College: Stephanie’s Schedule

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3. Learning about your Motivation, Attitudes, and Interests

Self-Assessment

Research into Practice

What Influences Motivation?

What Motivates People?

Getting Motivated Through Goal Setting

Staying Motivated

Changing Attitudes and Interests

Four Types of Academic Attitudes

Maintaining a Positive Attitude

The Role of Interests

Real College: Mario’s Misery

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4. How Beliefs about Knowledge Impact Learning

Self-Assessment

The Five Components of Beliefs That Influence Learning

Research into Practice

Modifying Your Beliefs

Real College: College Knowledge

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5. Identifying and Handling Stress

Self-Assessment

Research into Practice

Six Major Sources of Stress

How Does Academic Stress Affect You

Strategies for Reducing Stress

Academic Stress: Anxieties

Public Speaking Anxiety

Writing Anxiety

Mathematics Anxiety

Test Anxiety

Tips for Reducing Academic Stress

Real College: Sally’s Stress

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6. How People Learn

Self-Assessment

Characteristics of Active Learners

Research into Practice

The Role of Memory: Two Theories

The “Parts” Theory

The Levels of Processing Theory

Four Factors that Influence Active Learning

Thinking About How you Learn Best

Using Your Senses to Learn

Real College: Melissa’s Memory

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7. Figuring out the Task

Self-Assessment

What is a Task?

Part One: The Type of Activity

Part Two: The Level of Thinking

Research into Practice

How is the Task Communicated?

Technology in College Classes

Real College: Tanya’s Task

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8. Note Taking: Your Task in Class

Self-Assessment

The Importance and Characteristics of Good Lecture Notes

Characteristics of Good Notes

Research into Practice

Taking Good Lecture Notes

General Note-Taking Guidelines

Getting Ready to Take Notes

Staying Active During Note-Taking

Matching your Notes to the Task: Four Methods of Note Taking

Note-Taking Myths

Real College: Nate’s Notes

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9. Active Reading

Self-Assessment

Warming Up for Reading

Research into Practice

Strategies for Warming Up

Staying Active During Reading

Text Annotation

Studying Your Annotations

Annotation Pitfalls

Some Common Concerns About Annotation

Real College: Heather’s Highlighter

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10. Rehearsal Strategies

Self-Assessment

Understanding Rehearsal

Importance of Rehearsal

Two Types of Rehearsal Strategies: Written and Oral

Written Strategies

Oral Strategies

Research into Practice

Characteristics of Good Rehearsal Strategies

Selecting the Appropriate Strategies

Real College: Frank’s Frustration

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11. Reviewing Strategies

Self-Assessment

Reviewing

Using your Talk-through Card for Review

Research into Practice

The Importance of Making a Specific Study Plan

Different Types of Review

Forming Study Groups

Improving your Memory Through Reviewing

Real College: Enrico’s Excuses

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12. Preparing for and Taking Objective Exams

Self-Assessment

General Test-Preparation Strategies

Objective Exams

Research into Practice

Determining the Level of Thinking Required

When the Task is Memorization

When the Task Goes Beyond Memorization

Real College: Paulie’s Problems

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13. Preparing for and Taking Essay and Specialty Exams

Self-Assessment

Preparing for Essay Exams

Research into Practice

PORPE

Taking Essay Exams

A Word about Identification Items

Specialized Exams

Real College: Eric’s Essay

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14. Research, Resources, and Presentations

Self-Assessment

Starting a Research Project

Using the Library and Internet to Find Appropriate Resources

How to Use the Library

Evaluating Internet Information: The SCC Heuristic

Research into Practice

Writing Your Research Paper

Citing your Sources

Understanding Plagiarism

Organizing Oral Presentations

Technology as a Resource for Studying

Real College: Rachel’s Research Report

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15. Flexible Reading and Studying

Self-Assessment

Flexible Reading

Habits that Slow Reading

Increasing Your Reading Speed

How to Read Faster

How Fast Should You Read?

Research into Practice

Textbook Characteristics

Mathematics Textbooks

Science Textbooks

Humanities Textbooks

Social Science Textbooks

Real College: Samantha’s Schedule

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Appendix A — Sample Psychology Textbook Chapter

Chapter 4, “States of Consciousness,” from Mastering the World of Psychology, by S. E. Wood, E.G. Wood, & D. Boyd

Appendix B — Sample Biology Textbook Chapter

Chapter 22, “Nutrition and Digestion,” from Essential Biology with Physiology, by Campbell, et al

Appendix C — Sample History Textbook Chapter

Chapter 26, “The Nation Divides: The Vietnam War and Social Conflict, 1964-1971,” from Created Equal, by Jones, Wood, et al