In this ongoing class, students will learn skills that will help them to study more efficiently as well as more effectively.  The goal is for students to learn to work smarter, not harder. Topics that will be covered include being organized, time management, goal setting, study planning, note taking, essay writing, spaced repetition,  interleaving, creating a study guide, and test taking.  Students will also be able to ask specific questions, and together we will create a study plan.  This class will be taught in a positive, you can do it manner!

This class will follow a pattern of:
-Welcome – Introduce ourselves/greetings
=Quick review of the previous lesson
-Lesson on a specific topic that will focus on improving studying skills.  This will be an interactive lecture with slides.
-Questions/Answers  - looking at specific problems students are having with studying and coming up with a study plan.

Week of November 13: GETTING ORGANIZED The focus of this lesson will be to help students learn to be more organized.  Lack of organization is one of the main problems in setting up a successful study plan. We will look at various types of planners as well as what information to put in a planner.  Then we will look at how checklists can help to organize information. Finally, the class will have a question-and-answer session looking at specific studying/academic problems students are having, and finding solutions. 

Week of November 20: TIME MANAGEMENT, DISTRACTIONS, AND BREAKS This lesson will look at how to manage time as well as distractions.  Students have many classes and activities going on at the same time.  Learning how to manage time is crucial. The goal is to study in a manner that gets maximum results in the minimum amount of time. Finally, the class will have a question-and-answer session looking at specific studying/academic problems students are having, and finding solutions. 

Week of November 27 GOAL SETTING AND REACHING GOALS Any type of work is easier with a goal.  In this lesson we will look at long-and short-term goals.  We will also look at how to make reasonable goals and who to reach out to for help (teacher, friends, family, peers, school study groups, and tutors). Finally, the class will have a question-and-answer session looking at specific studying/academic problems students are having, and finding solutions.

Week of December 4: STUDY PLAN/STUDY MAP Having a good study plan can make a huge difference in how well a student does.  In this class we will look at a sample student and see how this student comes up with a plan of study during a very busy week. Finally, the class will have a question-and-answer session looking at specific studying/academic problems students are having, and finding solutions.

Week of December 20 NOTE TAKING Many students have a hard time figuring out what information to put down in their notes.  This class will look at what information is important to get from class, as well as from the book.  It will also look at creating “super notes” that are a combination of class and book notes. Finally, the class will have a question-and-answer session looking at specific studying/academic problems students are having, and finding solutions.

Week of December 27: ESSAY WRITING Many students have problems with essay writing.  In this class students will learn the basics of essay writing for exams as well as for take home projects.  Some students just need a little direction, while others are lost.  This class will provide students with the structure to write a great essay in any class. Finally, the class will have a question-and-answer session looking at specific studying/academic problems students are having, and finding solutions.

Week of January 1: STUDY TECHNIQUES PART 1 In this lesson students will learn the pros and cons of various study techniques such as chunking, spaced repetition, massing (cramming), and interleaving. We will also look at some old school techniques such as flash cards and writing outlines. Finally, the class will have a question-and-answer session looking at specific studying/academic problems students are having, and finding solutions.

Week of January 8:  STUDY TECHNIQUES PART 2 In this lesson students will learn the pros and cons of various study techniques such as chunking, spaced repetition, massing (cramming), and interleaving. We will also look at some old school techniques such as flash cards and writing outlines. Finally, the class will have a question-and-answer session looking at specific studying/academic problems students are having, and finding solutions.

Week of January 15: BECOME AN EXPERT In this lesson students will learn the advantages of learning part of the material so well that they become an expert.  The goal of becoming an expert on various subject matter is that it increase knowledge retention and improves overall performance. Finally, the class will have a question-and-answer session looking at specific studying/academic problems students are having, and finding solutions.

Week of January 22: MAKING A STUDY GUIDE A study guide can really help students when it comes to exams.  Sometimes a teacher will be kind enough to provide one but that is not always the case.  In this class students will learn how to create a great study guide that will help them achieve more! Finally, the class will have a question-and-answer session looking at specific studying/academic problems students are having, and finding solutions.

Week of January 29: TEST TAKING In this lesson students will learn some tips on taking tests.  We will look at various types of tests and explore various strategies. Having a good plan to study for a test will make a difference!  Finally, the class will have a question-and-answer session looking at specific studying/academic problems students are having, and finding solutions.

Week of February 5: REVIEW This lesson will be a review of what we have learned in this class.  Students will also have the opportunity to focus on any sections that they wish to know more about. Finally, the class will have a question-and-answer session looking at specific studying/academic problems students are having, and finding solutions.